Original subtitles

[mysterious music playing]

[bell clanging]

[action music playing]

[guard] There he is! Cut him off!

[guard 2] Stop in the name of...

[guard 3] Right there!

[birds squawking]

- [guard] Go! - [guard 2] Go!

[guard shouts]

[guard] He's over there! Get him!

[birds squawk]

- [guard] There he is. - [guard 2] Don't let him get away!

[men clamoring]

- [grunts] - [birds chirping]

[guard] After him!

[bird cooing]

Stop!

[action music swells]

[guards grunting]

[yells]

[guard grunts]

An Earthbender.

[man] Hurry!

[bird clucks]

[grunts]

- [birds squawk] - [man grunts]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[man yells indistinctly]

[man] Come on!

- [birds squawks] - Now! Now!

[guard] He went that way!

- [grunts] - Get that to the Earth King.

They're going to start a war!

- [guard] There! - Go now!

[yells]

[mysterious music playing]

[guards grunt]

[grunts]

[guard grunts]

[man grunts]

[grunts]

[guards grunt]

[guard grunts]

[man grunts]

[dramatic music playing]

[grunts]

[coughing]

You're too late.

Your battle plans are already on their way to the Earth Kingdom.

[man 2] Good.

That means all eyes will be on the Earth Kingdom.

All eyes but ours.

We'll be prepared for your attack.

When your king receives those plans,

he will redirect his forces to your borders

and rally the support of the other nations.

The Water Tribes and the Air Nomads and the entire world

will turn their attention to the Earthbenders.

[ominous music playing]

You... you wanted us to know?

We aren't the real target.

My sights are set higher.

Much higher.

[man] Why?

Why are you doing this?

[dramatic music swells]

[gasps]

Because it is our time.

[screaming]

[man 3] A masterful ruse, Your Highness.

But tactically, the Airbenders are not the threat.

This isn't about the Airbenders.

This is about one who lives among them.

The only one who could possibly stand in our way.

But the Avatar is yet to be revealed.

Which is why we have to kill them all.

[dramatic music playing]

[Kyoshi] Water.

Earth.

Fire.

Air.

For millennia, the four nations have lived in harmony,

a peace made possible by the Avatar...

the one person with the ability to master all four elements

and protect the delicate balance between nations.

When one Avatar dies,

their spirit is reborn into a new body in an eternal cycle.

Since the death of the last Avatar,

the new incarnation has yet to emerge.

And so Fire Lord Sozin, the ruthless leader of the Fire Nation,

believes this is his moment to launch a merciless campaign

to conquer the world.

His first step is to eliminate the one person

who could stand in his way.

The next master of all four elements,

an Airbender who may not be ready for the responsibility of becoming

the Avatar.

[adventurous music playing]

[wind blowing]

[mysterious music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[man] Aang!

Aang!

[grunts softly]

- [man 2] Hey, look! - [Aang] Yeah!

[grunts]

[grunts]

[man 3] Wow!

[Aang chuckles]

[man 4] Who else?

[Aang chuckles]

[crowd] Whoa!

[Aang chuckles]

[indistinct chatter]

Show-off.

- What? I was just enjoying the view. - [man] Ha.

Monk Tsutop was looking for you.

You skipped training again!

It's all the same drills. You know I already know all this stuff.

Aang.

You may be more advanced than the others, but there's much you have to learn.

And believe it or not,

there may come a day when you wish you'd spent more time with your teachers.

Now, you and the other students better go help set up

for the Great Comet Festival.

Still a lot of work to be done

before the Air Nomads from the other temples arrive.

How many are coming?

- [animals bellowing] - [boy] Wait. What's that sound?

[boy 2] Look! Up there!

[bellowing]

[boy 2] Look at all of them.

[boy 3] Wow! There's so many!

[boy 4] Look at all of them!

All of them.

Come on, Aang! They're right up there!

[Aang] Wait up!

[children chattering]

[chuckles]

Did you tell him?

- It wasn't the right time. - [man 2] The right time?

We don't have the luxury of waiting for the right time.

We need to go talk to the council now.

[man] Aang has always been a prodigy.

The youngest Airbender in history

to receive the markings of a master.

But he is only 12.

We can't ask this of him.

Fire Lord Sozin is planning to attack the Earth Kingdom.

The Water Tribes are already sending the warriors to aid the Earthbenders,

and we need to help them as well.

And we need the Avatar.

Yes, Aang is powerful, but there's much he still needs to learn

about responsibility,

expectations,

sacrifice.

Most of all, he needs to know who he is.

If we send him away before he learns these things,

he could fail to be everything we need him to be.

And he and the world

might never recover from that.

The role of the Avatar is a heavy responsibility,

not meant for a child.

But it is not our place to choose who bears that burden,

and I fear you've grown too close to Aang to see that, Brother Gyatso.

Aang must leave immediately

to begin training in the other bending disciplines,

and we can only hope

that it is not too late for him to make a difference.

[birds cooing]

[indistinct chatter]

Are comet festivals always this much work?

Well, the last one was a hundred years ago,

and believe it or not,

I'm actually not old enough to have seen that.

- [scoffs] Could have fooled me. - [laughs]

[chuckles]

Remember the last time I brought you here?

Sure. When I got my tattoos.

Most receive their markings in the main hall,

but I wanted you to receive yours in the presence of Yangchen,

the last Air Nomad to be the Avatar.

When she died, the next Avatar was born

into the following nation in the eternal cycle,

so after Yangchen's death

came Kuruk of the Water Tribes, then Kyoshi of the Earth Kingdom...

And then Roku in the Fire Nation.

Which means the next Avatar

will once again be an Airbender.

Her spirit echoes in one of us.

Aang, you have always been special.

The most talented Airbender I have ever known.

I never asked to be special.

But you are.

Aang,

you are the Avatar.

[solemn music playing]

[Gyatso] The Fire Nation has embarked on a dark path.

Their actions threaten to throw the world out of balance.

Only the Avatar, the one person who can master all four elements,

can save the world.

The world needs the Avatar.

The world needs you, Aang.

You're to leave right away so you can begin training in the other disciplines.

Right away?

Leave my friends? Leave home? Leave you?

Now, this

would be a huge burden for anyone,

but you're not just anyone, Aang.

You're strong

and kind

and generous.

Remember that.

Always remember who you are

because I can't imagine a better person to have been given this power.

I don't want... the power.

Which is why you will make a great Avatar.

Why do I have to be different?

Can't I just

keep pretending that I'm your friend?

You are my friend.

You... will always be my friend.

[uplifting music playing]

[Aang sighs]

[sighs]

[bison groaning]

[Aang] Hey, Appa.

Couldn't sleep either, huh?

[grunts]

[groans]

Gyatso says I'm supposed to be the Avatar.

- Me. - [Appa grunts]

Monks don't even trust me to feed the baby bison,

and I'm supposed to save the world?

[grunting softly]

He said I need to remember who I am.

But I know who I am.

I like to play airball and eat banana cakes

and goof off with my friends.

That's who I am,

not someone who can stop the Fire Nation.

Not someone who can stop a war.

[mysterious music playing]

[bellows curiously]

The other kids always say I'm lucky because of the things I could do,

but I'd trade places with any of them.

[Appa groans]

I don't wanna leave.

I don't want the responsibility.

I'm scared of my power. I'm scared of being alone!

[Appa moans gently]

[Appa purring]

I'm scared.

[grunts]

You're right.

I just need to go up where things always make more sense.

At least for now.

- Yip, yip! - [Appa groans]

[magical music playing]

[suspenseful music playing]

[men grunt]

Remember,

no survivors.

[flames roar]

[calm flute music playing]

[whooshing]

[suspenseful music playing]

- Brothers and sisters, we're under attack! - [grunts]

[grunts]

[high-pitched ringing]

- [action music playing] - Yah!

- [grunts] - [soldiers grunting]

- [grunts] - [soldiers grunt]

- [grunts] - [soldiers grunt]

[soldier screams]

[grunts]

- [soldier grunts] - [grunts]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[soldiers grunt]

[screams]

- [boy] What's going on? - Come with me, quickly!

Where's Aang?

Aang!

[wind whistling]

[Appa grunts]

[suspenseful action music playing]

[men grunting]

[yells]

- [people clamoring] - [Gyatso] Quickly, move along.

[yells]

[thunder crashing]

[Aang] It's getting kind of rough, Appa. Maybe we should head back home?

[Appa grunts]

[Gyatso] That's it. Stay quiet. You'll be safe in there.

Right into the corner.

Stay down.

[woman screams]

[dramatic music playing]

[woman screams]

[all grunting]

[yells]

[grunting]

[sinister music playing]

[thunder crashing]

It's okay, Appa!

- [grunts] - [Aang] Steady!

[bellows]

[wind whistling]

[Appa groans]

[explosions]

[ominous music playing]

[man screams]

[soldier yells]

[shrieks]

[pounding on door]

[Appa grunts]

[Aang grunts]

[Aang screams]

[screams]

[kids scream]

[suspenseful music playing]

[grunting]

Oh!

[suspenseful action music swells]

[grunts]

You may have prevailed on another night.

- [yells] - [yells]

[kids cry out]

But not when we have the power of the comet!

[man grunting]

[Gyatso grunting]

Ah!

[yells]

[screams]

[mystical whirring]

[gentle flute music playing]

[sighs]

[dramatic music playing]

[wind gusting]

- [kids laughing and chattering] - [girl] Come on!

[indistinct chatter]

All right, listen up.

We've been manning the wall in three-hour shifts,

but it seems some of you can't be trusted to stay at your posts.

So from now on,

two people at all times, meaning twice as many shifts.

[kids groan]

Is there a problem?

Didn't think so. Okay, back to your duties.

- [indistinct chatter] - Come on, let's go.

Where are we going?

The fishing boats came back empty.

Just proves if you want something done right, gotta do it yourself.

They don't appreciate your incredible leadership skills.

That's right. They don't realize it.

Very funny.

[chuckles]

Katara!

[gentle flute music playing]

So where were you before?

You were waterbending again, weren't you?

Don't worry. No one could see me.

Not that it matters.

Of course it matters. If the Fire Nation finds out you're a Waterbender--

No one from the Fire Nation has approached the village in years.

Besides, there's nothing to see.

An otter penguin could bend more water than I could.

It's probably for the best.

You should be helping out more around the village anyway.

Not everything is about preparing to fight.

- We're at war. - Waterbending is what built our culture.

Our way of life. Keeping it alive is our duty.

- Keeping ourselves alive is our duty. - I know that.

- And if Dad were here-- - But he's not here! I am!

[mysterious music playing]

Katara.

Katara. Sulk later, paddle now.

[rumbling]

Good job.

I'm not doing this.

[thud]

[suspenseful music playing]

[Katara screams]

[gasps]

[screams]

Sokka!

[screams]

[Sokka grunts]

You okay?

Oh no. No, no, that's not good.

What is that?

[mysterious music playing]

[Sokka] Huh, weird.

We need to get that canoe, or we're gonna end up as fish food,

which would be ironic.

[foreboding music playing]

Maybe I could float over on some ice?

[mysterious music playing]

[rumbling]

Uh, Katara?

[foreboding music playing]

[panting]

Finally.

[suspenseful music playing]

[dramatic music playing]

[mystical whirring]

[Sokka gasps]

Where did he come from?

I don't know.

Oh! Nice. Nice. We're not gonna die.

Come on. Let's go home.

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What are you doing?

You're not thinking of leaving him?

Katara, a strange, glowy iceberg just exploded and left behind

a mysterious little bald person.

What part of that makes you think, "Great, let's bring him home"?

Sokka, he's just a kid.

We can't just leave him out here.

I don't like this, but why listen to me?

I'm just responsible for the safety of the village.

[mysterious music playing]

[owl hoots]

[rumbling]

- He looks dead. - What's that mark on his head?

Let me take a look.

[gasps] It can't be.

What is it, Gran Gran?

This is an Airbender.

It's impossible. Airbenders don't exist anymore.

Well, we won't get any answers until he wakes up.

We need to let him rest.

Come on.

[curious music playing]

The only settlement in that area is Water Tribe Village

in the South Pole territory. That's where we have to go.

- Where you think we'll find the Avatar? - Yes.

Because of the light?

You think I'm imagining things?

Sometimes, light beams are nothing more than celestial glimmers in the winter sky.

For three years, I've chased down every hint, every rumor,

every whisper of the Avatar,

and I'll keep doing it for another three years if I have to.

Prince Zuko, I don't think your father would want you--

My father has banished me until I find the Avatar,

and that's exactly what I'll do.

All I'm saying is, it's hard to see you get your hopes up

every time you see a...

a sign.

It'll all be worth it once I return home in glory

to take my place as the rightful heir to the Fire Lord.

[sighs]

Perhaps it's time to consider that the throne isn't everything.

It may not have been for you.

But for me...

it's my destiny.

[breathing shakily]

- [groans] - [Aang screams]

[panting]

[suspenseful music playing]

[gasps]

[panting]

[boy] Come on. Come on.

[indistinct chatter outside]

[gentle flute music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[boy] Come on. Come on!

[indistinct chatter]

[snowballs thudding]

[child 1] Got you!

[child 2] Gotcha!

[grunts]

Hey, get away from him!

What are you thinking? Have you forgotten your training?

What'd I say about keeping your guard up? He could be the enemy.

The enemy?

I'm not the enemy.

Then who are you?

I'm Aang.

Where am I?

- How'd I get here? - You tell me.

Wait.

Appa?

Appa!

Where's Appa?

Sokka!

Have you seen him?

Yeah.

That's not strange at all.

- [boy] This is unbelievable. - Appa!

He is an Airbender.

[uplifting music playing]

[high-pitched whistle]

[indistinct chatter]

Have you seen Appa?

My sky bison.

Six legs, horns, brown arrows?

Sky bison.

- Sky bison! - Repeating it doesn't help.

[Aang sighs]

[Appa bellows]

- [boy] Whoa! - [boy 2] What is that thing?

[grunts]

Appa!

[Appa grunts]

[grunts softly]

[grumbles]

Sky bison.

[Appa grumbles]

You say you went down in the storm?

It came upon us suddenly.

The weather went crazy just after I left home.

The Southern Air Temple.

Where the Air Nomads live.

Well, not all the Air Nomads,

but most of them had just arrived for the Great Comet Festival.

The Great Comet Festival.

Gran Gran?

[mysterious music playing]

Water, earth, fire, air.

Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony.

Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.

Only the Avatar, master of all four elements,

could stop them.

But when the world needed him most,

he vanished.

And so the Fire Nation marched and laid waste,

plunging us into a time of darkness.

Everyone in the village knows this story,

but you don't, do you, young man?

Just as you don't know that Airbenders haven't been seen in generations

and that the Southern Air Temple was the first to fall,

because you've been trapped in that ice this whole time.

The last time that the Great Comet was seen in the sky

was 100 years ago.

He may seem like just a boy,

but he's much more.

He is the last Airbender.

[indistinct whispering]

[wind gusting]

Of all the places to drag our asses to, he picks the coldest spot in the world.

How come his omens never take us somewhere with hot springs, huh?

[all chuckle]

- Something you wanna say, Lieutenant Jee? - No, sir.

[Zuko] Let me make something clear.

Our mission is vital to the future of the Fire Nation,

and so we will find the Avatar.

We will prove ourselves worthy,

and we will see our homes and families again...

or we will die trying.

[foreboding music swells]

[music fades]

[wind blowing]

Are you okay?

A hundred years.

All my friends,

everyone I know...

they're all gone.

Um, I'm sorry.

Believe me, I know how hard it is to lose the people you love.

[wind whistling]

When I was little, I didn't really understand the war

until the night the Firebenders came.

They destroyed everything in their path.

Everything.

Everyone.

Afterwards, our father set out with the other warriors

to hunt down the Firebenders.

That was three years ago, and we haven't seen him since.

He had left Sokka in charge when he just turned 13.

I guess he had to grow up fast.

We all did.

We're never really ready

until we have to be.

They were part of the Fire Nation's first attacks on the Water Tribe.

The Firebenders were ruthless.

Since then, the Fire Nation has conquered most of the world.

But the Waterbenders are still fighting back,

especially in the North.

And the Earth Kingdom is still holding strong.

We hope.

I had friends in the Fire Nation.

I used to visit them.

No one visits other nations now.

We're only friends with our own kind.

[sighs]

[grunting]

Good. Your skills have never been sharper.

I need to be at my best when I face the world's ultimate warrior.

They say Avatar Kyoshi took down an entire squadron

of Earth Kingdom soldiers single-handedly.

Well, you've certainly prepared enough.

Now, how about a nice cup of jasmine tea?

Say we find the Avatar, and you're able to defeat him,

a mission your father believed to be impossible.

And so your return home may be...

unexpected.

You're wrong.

[sinister music playing]

[Katara] No one comes here.

It's quiet and hidden.

[water trickling]

You're a Waterbender!

Barely. I'm trying to get better,

but I'm the only Waterbender left in the Southern Tribe.

Sokka doesn't like it when I practice

because he's worried that the Fire Nation will find out and...

And what?

There's a reason I'm the only Waterbender left in the village.

They've killed all the others.

Sokka just doesn't understand.

I'm a warrior. I should be able to do more for our people.

The monks told me bending is about energy and balance.

By feeling the energy around you, you can find balance.

By finding balance, you can feel the energy.

[clangs]

[uplifting music playing]

Nice!

I wasn't even really trying.

That's good. You just have to let go.

Katara?

[suspenseful music playing]

Sokka! Sokka, the Fire Nation. They're--

I know. We spotted them. Get to your posts now!

- Sokka, the racks-- - Get them loaded.

I don't understand. Why are they here?

After all this time, what could they possibly want?

Him.

He's more than the last Airbender. Aren't you?

You are the Avatar.

[indistinct chatter]

Aang?

I knew he was hiding something.

When the world needed the Avatar the most, he vanished because he's a coward.

He ran, and people died.

Sokka, they've landed.

You need to go hide.

- Sokka, I wanna-- - Katara, now.

Come on. We need to get somewhere safe.

[wind blowing]

I am Prince Zuko.

Firstborn son of Fire Lord Ozai.

We have no desire to take your homes.

We merely seek someone who does not belong here.

Someone who is not one of you.

Turn him over now,

or I'll burn this place to the ground.

- Where is he? - Sokka, you can't give him to them--

- He doesn't belong here. - It's wrong. You know that!

What I know is Dad told me to protect the village.

Yes, but remember what Mom told us too.

She said that we have to protect those who can't protect themselves.

He's lost everything he knows.

- Sokka, don't you see? He's the Avatar! - And he lied to us about it!

I know how hard this responsibility has been for you,

but there's more to being a leader than just catching fish.

You have to give people something to live for.

That's what the Avatar is. He's hope.

And we need that just as much as we need food and shelter.

I know I do.

[sighs]

[emotional music playing]

[gate creaking]

[wind blowing]

I am Sokka.

Son of Hakoda.

Lord of, uh,

Snow and Ice.

On behalf of the Water Tribe Village of Wolf Cove,

I demand that you leave immediately!

If this is the path you've chosen,

then so be it.

Let's settle this between us! Leader to leader. You really need an army?

I thought you Firebenders had some guts.

Don't fall for it. We overpower them. It's no contest.

Well, where's the glory in that?

I accept.

[grunting]

[gasps]

[suspenseful action music playing]

[grunting]

[ominous music playing]

Who needs an army now?

[warriors grunt]

[dramatic music playing]

Leave him alone!

[warriors yelling]

Can't be.

[grunting]

- [grunts] - Ah!

Enough games. Burn the whole place to the ground.

No!

I'll go with you. Just leave them alone.

I'm the one you're looking for.

- Get him. - Wait!

[Aang] It's okay, Katara.

No one has ever fought for me before.

I think you're the bravest person I've ever met.

We have to do something. Sokka, we have to help him. Sokka!

Okay, listen up.

Reinforce the braces on the gate, and don't fall behind on drills.

- I saw real sloppiness out there today. - Drills?

And don't let the younger ones push you around.

You gotta let 'em know who's in charge. That's right.

You're in charge.

Now, let's go save that weird kid.

[door clangs]

[keys jangle]

[sighs]

There are many who never imagined this day would ever come, myself included.

Can I ask you something?

- Uh... - Forgive me.

I'm Iroh, son of Fire Lord Azulon.

And of course.

Why did the Fire Nation start this war?

Ah.

Some people say it is within our nature

to expand and consume like fire itself.

Others believe that true stability in this world

can only happen under our rule,

so the drive to conquer is a drive for peace and unity.

But peace comes from respecting life, not killing and destroying.

[Iroh] A noble sentiment, Avatar,

but in the end, for most of us,

it doesn't matter how this war started.

It only matters how it can end.

And the belief is that by capturing you,

the Fire Nation can finally bring that about.

Is that what you believe?

I must leave, but I look forward to many more conversations with you, Avatar.

In the meantime, I'll have some jasmine tea sent to you.

It's quite soothing. [chuckles]

- [keys jingle] - [lock clicks]

[mysterious music playing]

[keys jingle]

[door creaks]

[lock clicks]

[wind blowing]

[indistinct chatter]

- It won't be easy to catch them. - I know.

Hopefully, we can find a swift current. Maybe draft off their wake.

Or

we could go another way.

[scoffs] You're not serious.

Katara, no! There's no way you're getting me on that...

[Sokka screaming]

[suspenseful music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[Aang] The Avatars.

- [creaking] - [gasps]

[footsteps approaching]

[suspenseful music continues]

[man] Yes, sir, right away.

[indistinct chatter]

[action music playing]

Stop!

[grunts]

[Zuko] Stop him!

- [grunts] - [man] Get him!

Open fire, now!

[suspenseful music playing]

[grunts] Ah!

[Aang screams]

[grunts]

[dramatic music playing]

[Aang screams]

- [grunts] - [Sokka grunts]

Hey, kid!

Sokka!

[bellows]

[grunts]

Ah!

[Aang gasps]

[suspenseful music playing]

[Appa groans]

[water splashes]

[uplifting music playing]

[Appa bellows]

[gasps]

[huffing]

[Appa grumbles]

- [sighs] - [Appa groans]

[foreboding music playing]

[huffing]

[Aang] I can't believe you guys came for me. Thank you.

It's time we showed those flameheads they can't step on us.

[chuckles]

The Firebenders aren't gonna give up. They're gonna keep coming after you.

Which means we can't go home.

It would put everyone in danger.

[wind whistling]

[Appa grumbles]

So where do we go?

[mysterious music playing]

[Appa groans]

[solemn music playing]

Gyatso.

[breathing heavily]

Now, this would be a huge burden for anyone,

but you're not just anyone, Aang.

You're strong

and kind and generous.

Remember that.

Always remember who you are.

[mystical whirring]

[rumbling]

Aang?

[air whooshes]

[Sokka] What's happening? What is he doing?

[dramatic music playing]

[Katara] Aang!

Come on!

Aang!

- [thunder crashes] - [Katara and Sokka scream]

[grunting]

[Katara yelps]

- [Sokka grunts] - [Katara] Aang!

Stop this!

Please!

Aang!

[Gyatso] Aang,

I can't imagine a better person

to have been given this power.

You are my friend.

You will always be my friend.

[dramatic music swells]

[Sokka grunts softly]

[mystical whirring]

[somber music playing]

[Aang weeping]

[Sokka] So not to be rude, but what was that?

I don't know.

There's so much I don't know.

The monks are gone, and I'm all alone.

You know,

the thing about losing everything

is that that's when you learn how strong you really are.

It's when you learn to fight.

[Aang] They made the ultimate sacrifice for me.

I need to make sure their deaths weren't in vain.

I need to follow through on what they wanted me to do.

Complete my training and master all the other bending skills

so I can bring balance back to the world.

Oh, is that all?

This was my home, and now it's gone.

[foreboding music playing]

[Aang] It's only after we've lost something

that we realize how much it means to us...

and how we'd do anything to get it back.

[dramatic music playing]

[Aang] Anything.

I don't know where this will all lead, and I don't know if I have what it takes,

but the one thing I do know is

I'm the Avatar,

and this is just the beginning.

[upbeat drum and flute music playing]

I'm sure it'll turn up.

You probably just misplaced it.

And keep in mind, the notebook didn't find the Avatar.

You did.

Your notebook may have been useful in collecting your thoughts,

but your unceasing effort is what led you to the Avatar.

He ran!

The ultimate warrior!

- He's a coward! - I don't know about that.

But it's clear that this Avatar

is not what you nor anyone else would've expected.

We won't know until we find him. And I will find him.

I'm still the heir to the throne. That's gotta mean something,

even in this dustbin corner of the world.

It does.

And in this case,

it is precisely because we are in a more quiet part of the world

that we have an advantage.

How many places can there be for an Avatar to hide?

Kyoshi Island is only a few hours from here.

According to this, Avatar Kyoshi was the fiercest of warriors

and a master of what they call the Avatar State.

Maybe something in her shrine will help me control my power before--

You kill someone?

Before it happens again.

It's time to go home. - What?

We did our part. We saved him from the Firebenders.

Now it's time to go home. My duty...

Our duty is to protect the village, like Dad told us to.

They can protect themselves.

Besides, what good is saving Wolf Cove if we don't save the world?

Katara, do you hear what you're saying? Save the world.

- Us. - Why not?

If the world is gonna have any chance, it's gonna need Aang.

And you're right.

We do have a duty, and it's to protect the Avatar.

Protect him? You wanna protect him?

The guy who nearly blew us off the top of this mountain.

It's about more than just helping Aang.

Ever since he came into our lives, things have changed for me.

Before I met him, I couldn't bend enough water to fill a thimble.

And now look what I can do! And that's after a single day!

Look around.

Look where we are now.

I don't know about you, but I can't go back.

Katara, something's wrong with your bag.

Hey! That's our food.

What is that?

A winged lemur!

The sky used to be filled with them.

What's this?

My dear Katara.

This scroll has been passed down among the Waterbenders of our tribe

for generations.

It contains everything you need to know to begin your bending education.

You have no idea how hard it's been to keep this from you.

But with the Fire Nation hunting for benders,

it was just too dangerous for you to have.

But now that you've gone out into the world,

you should take what belongs to you.

You are a Waterbender.

That is who you have always been and always will be.

Never forget that.

See? This never would've happened if we hadn't left home.

Fine. We'll go to Kyoshi Island and see how it goes.

Aang, you ready to leave?

There's something I have to do first.

My whole life, you were there for me...

and I wasn't there for you.

Goodbye, Gyatso.

I'm sorry.

You wanna join us, Momo?

Momo?

Yeah. He looks like a Momo, doesn't he?

Just like how you look like a Sokka. Can't argue with that.

I bet you taste like chicken.

Zuko, you must try this. It's got...

- What's it got? - Quailpole egg.

Quailpole egg. Very good for...

Vitality?

Vitality!

What are we doing here, Uncle?

This port houses the headquarters of the regional Fire Nation commander.

It is a hub of local information.

If anything unusual were to happen in the vicinity,

it would be reported here.

Have you lost your mind?

You wanna ask a Fire Nation commander if they've seen the Avatar?

If word gets out, everyone in the world will be looking for him.

I could lose everything.

Calm yourself, Prince Zuko.

One thing you must learn is how to get what you want

without divulging your true intentions.

You must use your tact, your empathy.

But most importantly, you need to have... sticky rice!

Uncle, there's no time for this.

There she is.

Giant, scary lady.

Oh.

Check this out.

Sokka, should you just go in there?

Aang!

Sokka! What? What's happening?

Watch out! Hey!

Ah!

You are trespassing on sacred ground.

Stop! You're making a mistake. He's the Avatar!

Ridiculous. There would've been signs if he was the Avatar.

I think that might be a sign.

It's been a long time since we've had visitors,

and for good reason.

For a hundred years,

Kyoshi Island has remained safe from the ravages of war

by keeping to ourselves.

We expect the outside world to do the same.

We're not here to cause any trouble.

All I want is to learn more about Avatar Kyoshi.

Isn't that what this place is about? Keeping her memory alive?

We're not a threat. Maybe not.

But the next visitors might be. We can't start making exceptions.

We're not just any visitors. He's the Avatar.

According to you and a few reflections off a statue.

I know you're scared. I don't know what life has been like here.

To be honest, I don't know what life has been like anywhere.

I've been away for a while.

But where I'm from,

people help each other.

I know I don't belong here.

That's something I've been feeling a lot lately.

But if you can help me,

if I can learn to be the Avatar,

maybe I could bring the place I knew,

a world where people were happier, back.

What harm is there in letting him look through some books?

It's not about them.

It's about who else may come. I know.

But if he is the Avatar, how can we turn our back on him?

Such a fierce warrior.

- And yet such a kind heart. - Mother.

Suki, you're too young to know that there are many in this world

who would take advantage of that kind heart.

I'm not too young. I just haven't seen the world.

I'm reminded that Kyoshi herself

often benefited from the kindness of strangers.

And as the Avatar,

she believed in helping those who could not help themselves.

So we will open our village to our guests

for 48 hours.

I trust that you will respect the limits of our generosity.

I get it. I know why you wanted us off your island.

I'd have done the same thing.

It's a big responsibility, all these people's lives in your hands.

Personally, I take that responsibility very seriously.

I, uh... I'm the guardian of my village, too, so...

You?

Yep.

A guardian?

So how are you protecting your people if you're here?

What? I'm not.

I mean, I am.

I may... I may not physically be there, but still...

That is, I'm...

I have to save the world first.

Katara, how does it go again?

I'm protecting Aang, so I'm protecting the village...

Hey! Hey! Um...

The point is we have a lot in common. We're both warriors, right?

Before she died,

Avatar Kyoshi trained an elite force in her image.

One ready to protect not only our homes but our way of life.

That tradition has been passed down through the generations,

and it is now my honor to protect this community

and to uphold the values of the Avatar.

That is why I'm not just a warrior.

I'm a Kyoshi Warrior.

Where's your commander?

I need recent surveillance reports right now.

- Excuse me? - And maps.

Nautical maps. The more detailed, the better.

And you are?

Prince Zuko.

What an honor to welcome actual royalty to our humble base.

- What can I do for the crown prince? - As I was saying, I need--

Please excuse my nephew.

We've been at sea a long time,

and our manners have grown as rusty as our anchors.

General Iroh, no need to apologize,

and please forgive our lapses as well.

We don't get many VIP visitors around here.

Much less the famed "Dragon of the West."

As my nephew was saying,

we are in search of maps and surveillance reports.

We're hoping to track schools of jumping shark squids.

Sh... shark squids? Mmm.

They're migrating this time of year.

Oh, they're delicious, grilled with a touch of lemon.

Hmm.

Huh.

I see.

Anything I can do to help.

If you wouldn't mind giving me until the morning,

we can track down what you need.

Very kind, Commander...

Zhao. Commander Zhao.

At your service.

Ah!

Someone needs to put a bell on you.

There's food in the village hall.

Amazing! You're a natural.

Well, these are just the easy forms.

Well, it's more than you could do before, right?

You caught on quickly. You're a real Waterbender, Katara.

You know, you should be practicing too.

The Avatar needs to master all four elements.

Maybe later.

I can't imagine what it's like knowing you'll have to save the world,

but avoiding practice doesn't mean you'll avoid the responsibility.

I know.

It's just Gyatso used to be the one who trained me.

I've never really trained with anyone else.

It's okay.

We'll do this together.

We're not going anywhere.

Or you could just let me use you for target practice.

Ah!

Not home cooking, but not bad.

Just try that again, drumstick.

Are you really an Airbender?

You gotta admit, he has a way with people.

He knows how to connect,

to get through to people like he did last night.

That's his real power. Connection. Building bridges.

That's how he's gonna be the Avatar.

Right. There goes the savior of the world.

Is this what it's like to have people from the outside here?

You don't remember the days when the war raged all around us,

and we lived in constant fear of the Fire Nation.

There's a reason we've avoided that all these years.

"Avoided."

We've avoided a lot of things by living the way we do.

Be that as it may, we've stayed safe.

If not happy.

This boy, he may be entertaining,

but that doesn't mean he's not dangerous.

He's a threat.

And the sooner he and his friends are off our island,

the better.

The Avatar? Yes, sir.

He thinks he's found the Avatar?

According to his crew.

They claimed to have discovered him at a small Water Tribe village.

Prince Zuko captured him but then lost him.

If Zuko's looking to us for information, it means he thinks he's still in the area.

Gather any reports of unusual sightings in the last few days,

anything out of the ordinary, no matter how small.

- And do it fast. - Sir.

Oh.

Seriously? Bell. Think about it.

Made it myself.

It's, uh... it's great in combat and hunting and...

Hunting?

Yeah, hunting. Yeah.

For tiger whales.

Yeah, that's, uh, dangerous, tiger whales.

Ferociously deadly tiger whales.

Um, I could run you through the basics if you want.

Wow. Um...

That was pretty good.

Uh, that was... that was pretty good.

Us Southern Water Tribe warriors are known more for our hand-to-hand fighting.

Oh, right now?

Okay.

Okay.

Enough!

Nothing. Nothing about the Avatar State or any of her powers.

Nothing that can help me train.

So how am I supposed to figure out how to save the world?

How do I stop the Fire Nation from hurting more people?

Did you know she was an orphan?

Lived on the streets

until she was hired as a house girl for the richest family on the island.

She was quiet and kind. No one had a clue she'd become the Avatar.

Yeah, so how did she go from this...

to that?

"Only justice will bring peace."

I never wanted to fight, and I'm afraid of hurting someone.

Back home, the other kids used to say I was lucky

because I never really had to train.

But I did have to train.

Not to develop my powers but to keep them under control.

I'm... I'm sorry!

No one said anything, but I could tell they were scared of me.

Just like how you and Sokka were when I went into the Avatar State.

What if nothing in here can help me?

What if I never learn how to control my power?

How many people will I hurt?

But imagine what'll happen if you don't even try.

Aang, you're not alone.

According to this,

all the previous Avatars are incarnations of your past lives.

You are literally not alone. The other Avatars are inside you.

You want someone to teach you, you just need to figure out

how to connect to them.

The answers aren't inside here.

They're inside you.

What is it?

Zhao's boat.

It's gone.

Zhao?

He heard something about a flying cow near Kyoshi Island,

so he set sail at dawn.

A flying cow?

He knows about the Avatar. Somehow, he found out.

We have to get there before him.

Ha!

Za!

Za!

Za!

Hmm! Za!

Za!

Za!

Stop!

Bow!

Dismissed.

Ha!

Ho!

Huh!

Huh!

The world needs the Avatar. The world needs you, Aang.

But imagine what'll happen...

I'm scared of my power.

They're all gone.

When the world needed the Avatar the most, he vanished. He ran...

I don't want power.

Which is why you will make a great Avatar.

Avatar Kyoshi, help me.

Aang?

Aang!

It's about time.

Uh,

I'm sorry.

I didn't know how to reach you.

I didn't know I could reach you.

There's a lot you don't know.

Can't we go any faster?

We're at top speed.

Everything that can be done is being done.

You've waited three years.

You can wait a little longer.

Three years.

Three years.

There were times I thought I'd never find the Avatar.

But it's almost worse now that I know he's close...

because now the chance to go home is real.

Sometimes, hope can be a cruel thing.

Sir, we're approaching Kyoshi Island.

I think I'm getting the hang of-- Ah!

You need to turn your opponent's power against them.

Reflect their strength.

Thanks. Um, you're a great teacher.

And you're an excellent student.

Though I'm sure you were helped by your previous training.

You know, as your village's protector.

Right.

Right, "protector."

To be honest, where I'm from, there's not much call for a real warrior.

I think you're a real warrior.

Not like you. You... you're not even a bender,

and you're the fiercest fighter I've ever met.

Not being a bender means we have to be even better than benders.

We can't reshape mountains and burn forests,

so we have to fight with what we have.

What matters is not the power inside.

It's the will and desire.

The heart.

The truth is, I envy you.

I've always wondered what the world outside was like,

but I never had the courage to leave.

I've always wondered what I'd find.

Now I know.

- The bell! - You hear it too?

- We have to go. - Why? What's happening?

It's the town alarm. Someone's coming.

Aang!

Aang, you need to come back, now.

Where are you?

There are many dimensions to being the Avatar.

You need to be a guardian, a general, a mediator, a guide.

You must fill several roles,

and many of them require unparalleled strength.

That's why I need to master all the bending disciplines?

To become strong?

Yes. And to help you gain control over the ultimate power.

The Avatar State is the combination of all your past lives,

focusing their energy through you.

The Avatar State gives you the strength of a thousand benders.

I've seen it.

It's dangerous.

If uncontrolled, yes,

but it can also be the ultimate weapon, and it can save your life.

We're too late. There's no way around Zhao's men.

He'll have made it to the village by now.

In Pai Sho, the first move is not always the best.

Knowledge of your opponent, knowing where he might go,

is more important than speed.

And so where there is one Avatar, there may be another.

Such a lovely island.

And we welcome you to it, Commander.

Though we wish we'd had some advanced notice.

We are quite unprepared for guests.

Funny. That's not what I'd heard.

I understand you had an unexpected visitor just the other day.

You must be mistaken.

We like keeping to ourselves.

I've heard.

Yes, I've heard Kyoshi Island has had an admirable history of staying,

shall we say, insignificant,

which is why there's been no need for the Fire Nation

to get involved in your affairs.

I'd hate to see all that change because of an outsider.

Commander, the way I see it,

you and your men are the only outsiders here.

An unfortunate perspective.

You won't mind if we take a look ourselves?

I expected as much.

Take them, and find the Avatar!

You wanna know what is the Avatar? I can't tell you that.

Every Avatar is different.

We are shaped by the different demands of our times.

So I have to figure this out myself?

That is part of the journey.

But what if I hurt someone along the way?

And how many have already been hurt because you haven't been here?

Run away from your responsibilities again, and even more will be hurt!

Being the Avatar means putting your duties above all else.

Even your life!

I was like you once.

But then I saw what was at stake,

and I will show you what will happen if you fail.

Tragedy awaits the North, and unless you do something about it,

another race of benders will be wiped out just as the Air Nomads were.

You asked me what it means to be the Avatar.

It means being a warrior.

A mighty, merciless warrior.

Ah!

Ah!

They're bringing more men.

We can't hold them off much longer. Where's your friend?

You said he could help us.

Where is the Avatar?

What if I do what you say, and it all just becomes worse?

It will.

Your very presence in this world will make things worse.

At first, both sides will fight harder because the Avatar has returned.

Hope does not come without a cost.

You. I'm getting through one way or another.

What happens to you is your choice.

So what's the point? You want things to be easy?

None of this will be easy.

Avoid your duties any longer,

and not only will you fail to save the world,

you won't even be able to save this island.

This island? From what?

From the danger you've put them in right now.

My friends.

Ha!

I warned you!

No one's going to stand in my way!

You wanted to know about the power of the Avatar.

I will show you what that power can do.

Impossible.

No, no, no, no!

Pull back.

Back to the ship!

Aang!

I'm okay.

This is all my fault.

- I brought this here. - Which is why you have to go.

- Now. - We can't just leave you.

They want the Avatar, not us.

There's nothing here that we've lost that can't be replaced,

and you've given us something far more valuable in return.

A reason to believe again

in our village, in ourselves...

and in the Avatar.

Nice job, Avatar.

Listen, I, uh... I wish...

we had more time.

I know.

I do too.

Thank you, Sokka.

For what?

For bringing the world to me.

Bye!

So this means you don't wanna go home anymore?

And let you guys have all the fun?

Besides, someone's gotta help the kid. This could get tough for him.

Zuko clearly isn't going to give up, and he's dangerous.

Hey!

Nifty trick you pulled back there, channeling scary lady.

This mean we'll see more of her?

Kyoshi said I can only call upon one of the past Avatars

when I'm in their shrines.

What else did she tell you?

We must get to the Northern Water Tribe

because something terrible is going to happen there.

Something only I can stop.

All right, North it is, then.

We just gotta get there before the Firebenders catch up to us.

Waterbending masters there are the best in the world. They can train you.

So don't worry, kid. You don't have to do this alone.

You have me, Katara, and a flying ball of fur.

What more do you need?

Really?

Feel like I walked into that one.

I was simply responding to reports of a disturbance on Kyoshi.

I had no idea the Avatar would be there.

If Your Highness had been more forthcoming earlier,

we might have avoided this misunderstanding.

I hope we can put this behind us.

Of course, Commander.

Don't tell anyone.

About the Avatar.

No one else can know.

But of course.

I fully understand the sensitive nature of this information.

And if you'll permit me, working together,

we'd be able to devote twice as many resources to the hunt.

Obviously, with Your Highness taking the lead in all matters--

- Wait, we don't-- - An excellent suggestion, Commander.

We would be honored to have your partnership and your loyalty.

Believe me, there's nothing more important

than knowing where to place my loyalties.

To Your Supreme Eminence, the great flame of the world,

I am but a humble servant in the Southern Seas.

But I have news for you of a critical nature.

I know this information may arrive as a shock,

and you might be tempted to dismiss it as rumor or delusion,

but rest assured,

I have witnessed these events with my very eyes.

That is why I can report an astounding development.

One that could change the future of the Fire Nation.

The Avatar has returned.

Everything is set.

We strike tonight.

Shouldn't we wait? We don't have the numbers.

We don't need numbers.

We have our anger.

We have our grief.

And for the first time in a century,

we have hope.

I want you to meet someone willing to risk everything for our cause.

Like all of us,

she has lost too much.

My mother and my brother.

In the Siege of Ba Sing Se.

She works at the palace.

She's willing to help us at great personal risk.

If she can summon the courage,

so must we all.

Fire Lord Ozai must die tonight!

There is no way out.

But you must have known this was a one-way journey.

Or did you expect my men to just lay down their arms

after you slaughtered their Fire Lord?

We expected that all decent Fire Nation citizens

would've welcomed being freed from your tyranny.

Tyranny?

Don't you mean... unity?

Prosperity?

Are we not the greatest nation in the world?

Have I not led us to the brink of bringing the entire world

under one rule,

our rule,

to ensure an era of peace?

At what cost?

How many more lives?

Will it take another century of loss and suffering?

Do not speak to me of loss.

My compliments on making it this far.

Then again, we in the Fire Nation

have always prided ourselves on our resourcefulness.

Isn't that right,

Azula?

Yes, Father.

You may have stopped us tonight, Ozai,

but there is one out there who cannot be stopped.

The one who will restore balance to the world.

The one who has returned to us.

The one who will restore balance to the world?

Can you believe they think the Avatar has returned?

Leave us.

What's this?

A message from one of my commanders in the Southern Seas.

No one of any importance.

What he had to report, however...

Zuko has found the Avatar?

Your brother has done the impossible.

Just as I had asked.

The Avatar.

Really?

The water whip.

Arms.

Weight shift. Wrist snap.

Okay.

I don't get it.

Basic bending forms are mostly just physical movement,

but when you get into the harder moves, like the water whip,

you really need to reach inside and feel the energy flow.

The monks always told us

to find a place where emotion meets spirit.

A place deeper than thought.

Tap into your feelings and gather energy from them.

Tap into your feelings.

Wow. Uh...

That's okay. I bet it was my fault.

I should never be a teacher.

The monks always said I never listened.

Hmm.

I think that's what they said. I never listened.

All the more reason for us to get to the Northern Water Tribe, right?

That's right. They've got the best waterbending masters in the world.

I might even listen to them.

Okay, it's time to go. We shouldn't stay in the same place for too long.

I liked her too.

Yeah, she was cool.

Of course, I have no idea what she saw in you.

Hey, what's not to like?

Look!

What is it? Fire Nation? No!

I think...

I think it's another Airbender!

He's headed for that mountain.

That's no mountain!

That's Omashu!

Appa! Yip yip!

He could be anywhere.

He was headed north when he left Kyoshi Island.

He'll need to stop for food and water.

He may be the Avatar, but he still needs to eat and drink.

The population center, then.

I can alert my contacts. No!

I told you, no one else can know of his existence.

Understood.

But if I may, we have a window of opportunity

as long as the Avatar remains in this area.

If he gets too far north...

There are Fire Nation forces everywhere. They're sure to find out.

Which is why I suggest you allow me to contact a few trusted sources.

They don't need to be told any more than necessary.

Very good.

Commander Zhao's ship has arrived.

Perfect timing. To the Fire Nation.

I don't like him.

He does have a disagreeable quality.

I spoke to some of his crew.

Word is Zhao failed his officer training program three times.

Did I ask for your opinion?

My apologies.

He was only trying to help.

He was gossiping about a superior officer.

- An officer you don't like. - That's beside the point.

There is an order to the way we do things here. Rules.

We are Fire Nation, even out here.

Especially out here.

Omashu was carved out of a living mountain.

It's one of the wonders of the Earth Kingdom.

Of the world, actually.

And they have an incredible delivery system

that winds through the whole city.

And the people there, they're artists, scientists, builders.

Plus, the food there is amazing.

You again? What did I tell you before?

You! Step forward!

They don't take kindly to outsiders in Omashu.

What makes you think we're outsiders?

No reason.

Wait.

We're new here, but we have a friend we need to see.

We just could use a little help getting inside.

Sorry.

It's either that or the turnip sack.

I'm sure you can make that look good too.

You and you! Step back!

Omashu's one of the last Earth Kingdom strongholds.

Try as they might,

Firebenders haven't been able to take it yet.

That's why they're so careful here.

So how do you know we're not a threat?

Just a feeling.

Oh wow.

Hold there.

State your business.

Headed to market, as usual.

Oh, wasn't a great crop this month.

She told me I wasn't watering the turnips enough.

Knew there was a reason I married her.

Irrigation, am I right?

Uh, my... my brother-in-law would agree if he could speak.

Struck mute at birth.

You'd be amazed at how much he can say without words.

Just the other day, he made us laugh so hard--

All right, that's enough. Move along.

Thank you. Bye.

Good luck finding your friend.

And be careful.

Omashu can be a dangerous place.

There he is. Look.

Aang, wait up!

Look out!

Hey, watch out for my--

Oh!

You're not an Airbender.

An Airbender? Of course I'm not.

Help!

Aang, we can't see!

He's an Airbender.

And you're a Waterbender.

Teo! Teo!

- Are you all right? Are you hurt? - Dad, I'm...

I'm fine.

- We should get him out of the smoke. - Here. Our house is right here.

Thank you.

- Thank you... - Katara.

My name is Sai.

What were you doing out there?

I just landed. How was I to know there'd be another bombing?

Bombing? You mean that wasn't an accident?

Nothing the Fire Nation does is an accident.

The Fire Nation?

Yeah. Their spies are everywhere in the city.

It's not safe anywhere these days.

Omashu can be a dangerous place.

More water. More water.

You're an Airbender. Do you realize what this means?

We finally have a way to take the fight to the enemy.

You could drop bombs on them. Rain down destruction.

Air power is their weakness, and you... you are air power.

Whoa.

Pretty great, huh? Dad's the mechanist to the King of Omashu.

"Mechanist"?

Ah, just a fancy word for someone who wastes a lot of time tinkering.

Don't listen to him.

He's responsible for maintaining the best parts of the city.

Like our delivery system. You've seen it, right?

It's amazing.

I play but a small role.

Hey, if everyone in Omashu were as dedicated as you,

this war would be over.

The Fire Nation would be on their knees by now.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Well, we have our own part to play in the war. Right, Aang?

Yes.

Yes, uh, which is why we have to go.

Oh, right. Of course.

Just promise me you'll really stick it to the Firebenders.

Make 'em pay.

- Sokka. - This stuff is incredible.

I mean, look at this.

Those are for cleaning under your toenails.

It can get bloody.

Did you see the mechanism on that sorting machine?

It's spring-powered. Ingenious. Should've done that with our kayak racks.

It stopped the bleeding, I think. Ah! No!

You're all right.

Aang?

This place used to be incredible. A place I couldn't wait to see.

A place where amazing things were created, not destroyed.

It's my responsibility to help these people.

How are you gonna do that?

Being the Avatar isn't just about fighting.

It's about helping people, like Teo and his father

and everyone in this city.

What about getting to the North?

Didn't Kyoshi tell you you had to get there to prevent a tragedy?

Yes, and I'm gonna do that, but I have to do this too.

If I'm gonna save the world, I have to do it one person at a time.

That's why I'm staying in Omashu

because I wanna help, and I think I can.

Because I'm the Avatar.

Now tell me about these bombings.

"He's done the impossible."

He's done nothing. He spent three years on an ocean cruise

while I've been here doing everything Father has asked.

Who's the one risking her life to root out traitors?

Oh, that's right!

Tell us about your mission. Were you nervous?

Was your life really in danger?

Not really. People in the resistance aren't the brightest of flames.

Then again, what can you expect from peasants?

At least you got out into the city.

Zuko may be banished,

but he's out there exploring the world.

If I were him, I wouldn't wanna come back.

Yeah, well, all dear old Zuzu wants is

to make it back here and take away everything I've worked for.

Technically, he is first in line to be Fire Lord.

Not that he deserves to be.

He doesn't, but now he has hope.

And that's dangerous. Retreat!

So what can you do about it?

You're here.

He's out there.

There are always ways to get in the game

if you know which pieces to play.

The Avatar has returned.

My mother told me stories of the Avatar and how he'd return one day.

Dad, do you remember her stories?

What I remember is

that your mother was taken from us by this cursed war

and everything we've had to do to stay alive since then.

We worked hard, and we kept our heads down.

- That's not how we'll change the world. - But it is how we'll survive.

You pretend like you don't care,

but I know you hate the Fire Nation as much as I do.

Why else would you build all this if not to help our army?

Like this.

That's just an experiment. I can't even get the damn thing to work.

Look, I'm not here to cause any trouble.

All I want is to help.

I know how. I have a hunch about where the bombers might be gathering.

It's high up on the mountain.

Can't really reach there by myself, but with your airbending...

Just there. The strongest updrafts are in the morning, so we should fly then.

What, tomorrow?

No, Teo, you're supposed to help me with the airship.

I still need to fix the attitude control before I show it to the generals.

I can help with that.

My sources say an Airbender was spotted there.

Omashu.

Enemy territory.

Indeed, but not to worry.

There are ways to gain entry if you know the right people,

which I do.

I'll send two of my best men to confirm the report.

- They can be in and out before-- - No.

Uncle Iroh and I will go. No one else.

As you wish.

I trust you understand the danger.

If anything happens in Omashu, we won't be able to help you.

The prince and I will be fine.

We know what it means to be on our own.

- What are you do... - Sh.

Fire Nation spies.

But that means the mechanist is a--

Traitor.

Come on.

The mechanist has been working for the Fire Nation,

building devices, selling secrets.

Sokka and Aang. They're in danger.

- I've gotta warn them. - They'll be fine.

The mechanist may be a turncoat, but he's a coward.

He'd never take any direct action.

This one, on the other hand...

Wait.

Who are you?

They call me Jet.

Yeah!

They're flying!

Look at that!

There's the cave.

Your pursuit was so clumsy, I wasn't sure you'd ever catch up.

Big talk for someone who's outnumbered.

Good thing I brought friends then.

Oh yeah. I brought friends too.

Hey, buddy.

Awesome shooting there, Longshot.

That was a mean swing, Pipsqueak.

Nice moves. I had a feeling you knew how to handle yourself.

- Really? - Cool attack on that flamehead.

Thanks, Pipsqueak.

- He's The Duke. I'm Pipsqueak. - Oh.

It's great to have a Waterbender on our side.

Who are you people?

We're the good guys.

Oh.

Where's he taking him?

Don't worry. Pipsqueak knows how to take out the garbage.

You coming?

And if you add plates here and a vent here,

all you need to do is install a bleed valve to regulate pressure.

And you're saying you implemented this with water-based transportation?

Well, no, it's just an idea I had

to make our ice-dodging ships more maneuverable.

Oh.

Very clever. Your father must be proud of you.

Yeah, um, Dad doesn't really pay attention to stuff like this.

He's got more important things to worry about. He's a warrior.

The world is filled with warriors.

But there are far too few great engineers.

Engineer?

No, this is just a hobby.

My, uh... my role is to protect the village and be a warrior, just like Dad.

Protecting the ones we love is important,

but I also know we must pursue the talents that we've been given.

Sokka, you're a gifted engineer. Don't ignore that.

It's not always easy to find your path in life, but when you find it,

you must embrace it.

People who saw the bombings also saw a burst of green flame.

Tincar salt burns green.

It's a mineral tanners use to cure animal skins.

They came up here to dig it out of the mountain.

Just stuff I picked up from my dad.

- He must be really proud of you. - I guess so.

I think he sometimes wishes I was more like him.

Don't get me wrong. He's incredible.

After the Fire Nation attacked our village,

he kept us alive.

He built our life here.

He's always said that it's just me and him,

and he'd do anything to protect us.

And you want him to do more.

I want him to see that we have to do everything we can to save the world

because if not us, then who?

Welcome.

I'm almost there!

Come on.

Whoo!

You live here?

We've had a few bases, but this one's served us well.

Yeah! Come on!

Firebenders haven't been able to track us here.

I still don't understand what Firebenders are doing in the Earth Kingdom city.

Well, Omashu isn't what it used to be.

In the old days, the city stood strong, but as the war dragged on,

the king lost his nerve, grew tired, senile.

Let corruption spring up all around him. Fire Nation seeped in through the cracks.

That's where we come in.

So you just took it on yourselves to fight the Firebenders?

Well, if not us, then who?

Everyone here has lost someone to the Fire Nation.

Families. Loved ones.

We're orphans, refugees.

At least, that's what we were.

What are we now, Smellerbee?

Freedom fighters!

Yeah!

Someone was here recently.

Here, look.

If you mix tincar with salt water and then boil it down, you get this.

Blasting jelly.

A few jars could blow half the neighborhood sky-high.

What is it? What did you find?

The Firebenders weren't behind the explosion.

My mother was the fighter in our family.

She taught me the blade, which, back then, was just a stick.

When the Fire Nation came to our village, she held them off while

my dad hid me in a well.

I wanted to fight, but... he wouldn't let me.

I was eight.

And when I came back up...

they were all gone.

I know what it's like to lose family too.

It was quiet... the night my mom died.

Until the soldiers came.

I try not to think about it. But recently, it's been coming back to me.

I think it's been affecting my bending.

I don't know anything about bending, but I do know

that you have to use everything inside you to help you fight.

Tell me, what do you remember when you think of your mother?

I don't mean how she died. I mean when she was alive.

I remember

her getting up every morning before everyone else.

I remember

seeing her outside the hut,

getting to work, preparing breakfast.

And every day,

she would stop when the sun rose.

She would watch it and smile.

Every day.

Remember that.

Remember the sunrise.

We don't have to be afraid of our pain.

We just need to decide what we're gonna do with it.

What are you doing? - Trying some Omashu barbecue.

It's not often you get the opportunity.

This is the great Omashu, the best the Earth Kingdom has to offer?

I gather its charms are lost on you.

"Charm"?

You mean the dirt, the noise, the...

the stench?

Thank you. - What happened there?

I'm told that Fire Nation agents in the city have taken to sowing terror

to weaken the Earthbenders' resistance.

That's not right. Warriors don't hide their faces in a fight.

Father would never approve of this underhanded tactic.

Given how long this war has lasted,

who knows where true north lies in the Fire Nation?

It has come to my attention you are involved in a matter

vital to the safety of our empire.

I'd be in your debt if you kept me informed

on the progress of your mission, particularly as it relates to Prince Zuko.

In return, I will keep in mind your loyalty and cooperation

when the time comes for such debts to be paid,

a time that may arrive sooner than expected.

To the Flame Eternal. Princess Azula.

Good news?

The best.

It may have taken a while, Lt. Dang, but we are finally in the big game.

You know the officer on Prince Zuko's crew,

the one who slipped you the information about the Avatar?

Lieutenant Jee.

I'd like to speak to him.

Sir.

- Sokka! - Aang, check this out.

Where's Katara?

Uh, I haven't seen her all day. I was helping Sai with his airship model.

He just left to show it to the generals at the palace. Why? What is it?

Teo and I found where the bombers have been getting their explosives.

They're making blasting jelly in a cave up on the mountain.

Blasting jelly?

That's not all. We also found these. The robes from the turnip cart.

So it wasn't the Firebenders behind the explosion? It was--

You're not gonna believe this. I know who's behind the bombings.

What?

- No, Jet's not the bad guy. Sai is. - Are you kidding me?

Sai has done nothing but help us. Jet's a con artist who lied to our faces.

- He didn't lie. - He didn't tell the truth.

Because he couldn't!

He's fighting the Firebenders, and he has to protect himself.

You don't know what he's already lost.

Besides, I saw Sai talking to the Firebender. He's the traitor.

You don't know what you saw!

For all we know, Sai could be working with the king's men to root out spies.

He's headed to the palace right now. He could be reporting everything.

- You're wrong! - This is just like you, Katara!

Willing to believe anything as long as it helps you!

This is just like you! Never believing anything I say!

I'm sick of you treating me like I'm a little girl!

Then grow up!

Where are you going?

To prove you're a jerk!

Oh yeah? Well, I don't need proof for that!

Oh!

- Would you like to try one of my-- - Not right now.

Jet.

- Listen, we need to talk. - Sure.

Later. We just launched a big mission. Things might get hot for us around here.

Mission? What mission?

You were there when we confirmed the mechanist was a traitor.

We took care of his partners. Now, I need to take care of him.

Jet, what are you gonna do?

I told you.

We know how to take out the garbage.

I'm so sorry. - Oh, it's fine. It's fine.

I'm so clumsy. Are you hurt? - No.

- No harm done. No harm done. - Okay.

Okay.

You're going to blow him up?

Not just him. He's got an audience with the king.

This is our chance to burn out this city's diseased heart.

Sokka was right. You are the bad guy.

Katara.

The warehouse we destroyed, that was a meeting spot for spies.

And by flushing them out, we got those three yesterday.

The mechanist will help us root out even more evil.

Innocent people are gonna die, Jet!

That's the price of freedom.

Katara!

It's too late!

There's nothing you can do to stop it!

You were right.

Shut up and gloat later. Right now, we need to stop Sai.

Jet planted a bomb on him.

What's the fastest way to the palace?

It's at the highest point in the city, so we need to--

This guy? Again?

Go. Get to the palace and stop Sai.

This is my fight.

Keep your firebending in check,

or you'll have the Earth Kingdom Army to deal with.

I don't need fire to defeat this boy.

Ah!

Ah.

Watch out! Excuse me!

I have an idea. Come on.

Ah! Huh!

How dare you hit that child?

Ah!

Sai said all routes lead to the palace.

We have to take this one to the end of the line.

The end of the line may be coming soon.

Ready? One, two, three! Ah!

Stand and fight!

For what? Why is this so important to you?

You're an enemy of the Fire Nation.

And that's it? That's why you've been hunting me for three years?

How do you know it's been three years?

Unless...

You have my notebook!

A Firebender!

A Firebender!

My... my... my cabbages!

Oh no!

Protect the king!

We must leave!

Now!

It's a Firebender!

Find the Firebender, and close the gate!

- Go! Save yourself! - What?

For the Fire Nation!

Uh-oh.

Hello?

Hello?

Anybody there?

There's been a mistake! The fires weren't my fault!

And neither was the fight!

Save your voice.

Earth Kingdom soldiers aren't particularly tolerant,

even under the best of circumstances.

And these are most definitely not the best of circumstances.

General Iroh.

It's good to see you, young Avatar.

And Zuko?

They capture him too?

I hope not. With any luck, he's probably halfway back to his ship by now.

This is all his fault.

He started the fight and left you behind and ran away.

I'm really starting to see what kind of person he is.

I doubt that.

What do you think will happen to us?

I don't know.

But in my experience,

the Earthbenders aren't exactly kind to their fallen foes.

Is it true?

Were you working with the enemy?

It's complicated.

No, it's not. It's a simple question. Were you helping the Firebenders?

Yes.

Teo.

I was trying to protect you.

The Firebenders said that they would kill us

and then they'd attack the city if I didn't cooperate.

The only reason Omashu has been left alone is because of whatever service I provided.

Service? Is that what you call giving weapons to the enemy?

Weapons? No. No, no, no, no, just minor designs.

Nothing of any value in war.

Anything can be turned into a weapon in the wrong hands.

Especially with the Fire Nation.

Sokka.

You know what it means to make hard choices.

Your father had to leave your family to go to war,

leaving you, just a boy, in charge.

We do what we must

to survive.

We compromise

just enough to get by.

My father would've never done what you did.

I found him.

Aang's in prison.

Aang!

Hey, Aang!

Oh, hey, Bumi. How's training going?

I'm doing all right with my forms, but shaping is hard.

What are you talking about? Looks exactly like a sky bison.

It's supposed to be a badgermole.

You sure?

There's nothing like earthbending masonry.

No seams.

That's what makes their cities a wonder.

Awe-inspiring palaces, gravity-defying towers.

Impenetrable prisons.

I like the parts of Omashu that aren't so depressing.

Hmm. Cities are like people.

They always have their dark sides.

Seems pretty dark on all the sides these days.

Yeah, what happened here happened the world over.

That's what a century of war will do.

A war started by the Fire Nation.

And a war the Fire Nation could end. Hmm.

If it were only that simple.

My brother, the Fire Lord, sees things through only one lens,

victory or defeat.

Nothing else matters.

Not even the loved ones lost along the way.

That's why Zuko's so hot to catch me?

So he can win this war for his dad?

Zuko's victory lies not in winning the war

but in winning his life back.

You could show him this isn't the way. He'll listen to you.

I mean, he owes you that much.

On the contrary,

it is I who owe him.

Far more than I can ever repay.

Impossible!

Omashu's prison is deep in the heart of the mountain surrounded by solid rock.

The only way in or out is through the palace.

I'm sorry. The Avatar is lost.

We're not leaving Aang.

You can get us into the palace.

Not after today. I'm sorry. I can't.

What about the tunnels?

Tunnels?

The secret tunnels hidden under the mountain.

It's said that the founders of the city used them to meet without anyone knowing.

- A fairy tale. - You told me you've seen them.

Unless that was a lie too.

Yes, there are tunnels, but they're unstable.

Those who go in never come out.

If you believe the tales, vengeful spirits guard the passages.

So not just secret tunnels.

Secret haunted tunnels?

Even if I could figure out a way to get them through the tunnels,

there's nothing I can do about the palace guards.

We'll worry about that. Just help us get inside.

Where are you taking him?

To the Pit.

The Pit?

An Earth Kingdom labor camp for prisoners of war.

No one who's been sent there has ever been heard from again.

You... you're not as lucky.

You're going to see the king.

These maps don't make any sense. This one says to travel east.

This one shows a path due south.

And this one... spirals straight up.

Um... hmm...

What is it?

It's my Fire Nation contact.

Tell him you'll meet him.

Then go to the Earth Kingdom generals and let them know they can set a trap

to round up these spies.

No. No. No, no, no, the Firebenders made it clear.

Any resistance and they'll send everything they've got at us.

Let them come.

The Avatar has returned to the world.

It's time to stop hiding.

It's time to fight.

Your Highness.

Hmm?

The prisoner you requested.

He was caught fighting, destroying property.

Menacing the people.

And he's an Airbender.

Huh?

Lotus root, pine bark, dried jasmine.

Hmm?

Lotus root, pine bark, dried jasmine,

scalding hot water, steeped for two minutes!

Tea?

Okay.

And you're wrong about him.

We witnessed the bending--

Wrong!

He is not just an Airbender.

He is the master of all four elements.

The savior of the world.

He is

the Avatar.

And he's very, very good at rock skipping.

Ooh.

Bumi?

Hello, Aang.

Bumi!

How are you still alive?

Uh, clean living, the right diet, ooh, and luck.

Hard to say if it's good or bad luck.

But more importantly, how are you still alive?

And still a child?

It's a long story. Huh.

Ooh!

Ah.

Ah!

Pine bark?!

What idiot told you to put pine bark in it?

You did.

Mmm.

Throw him...

...a feast.

Jet.

You betrayed us.

Betrayed you?

I stopped you from killing innocent people.

Innocent? Spies, traitors. Is that who you wanted to save?

Not everyone out there is the enemy.

If you stand against us...

you are.

Life may be simple in the South Pole,

but here, you have to make hard decisions.

That's what it means to fight a war.

I thought you were on our side.

On my side.

Jet, you've forgotten what you're fighting for.

You told me to remember my mother, and I did.

I remembered she never wanted bitterness to fill my heart.

That's how I know you've ended up on the wrong side,

not fighting for anything you love.

You're fighting because of hate.

Just like the Firebenders.

I am nothing like the Firebenders.

Goodbye, Jet.

Look at the power you have. That's because of me.

That wasn't you.

That was me.

You!

You don't belong here.

Sir, I was assigned prisoner transfer duty,

but I'm... well, I'm late.

And... and if my commander finds out... I'm already in enough trouble this month.

The old Firebender was taken to the Pit. The other one's still here.

Other one?

Yeah, the bald kid. The king wanted to see him.

Well, you just gonna stand there?

What are you gonna do?

Hmm.

For your meal, I offer you two choices.

Short ribs from Kangaroo Island.

They practically jump into your mouth!

And the other, seaweed stew.

Heard it really "kelps" with your complexion.

I'm good. That was a good one.

I'll take the stew.

Hmm?

I don't eat meat.

That's right. You don't.

Good choice.

Wait. Was this a test?

What? A test?

No. More like a... a game.

You always liked games, didn't you?

So, frozen in an iceberg for a hundred years, huh?

That must've been... nice.

No, it was a nightmare.

Ah, come on. How bad could it have been, huh?

The world is on fire, people are dying,

and you... you got to sleep through it all.

All the Airbenders were wiped out.

And I wasn't there to help them.

Oh, those monks were always a bit flighty. Am I right?

Huh?

It was a tragedy.

And it might happen again,

which is why I need to get to the Northern Water Tribe

as soon as possible,

which is why you need to let me go.

So I can save the Waterbenders.

Hmm.

Huh.

"Lettuce" leave.

Nah, da, da, da, da, da, da.

Bumi! This is important.

Don't you care?

Care?

You dare tell me I should care?

Have you been fighting the same fight for a century?

Have you watched your whole world burn down around you?

Hmm?

Let me tell you something, Avatar.

You may be a hundred years old,

but you haven't lived for a hundred years,

especially not these hundred years.

You can't make me believe you've lost hope.

Not you, Bumi.

Oh really?

Challenge accepted.

This can't be right.

This was the only opening in the mountain.

Are you sure?

Listen.

Do you hear... music?

♪ When you find yourself in darkness ♪

♪ And all you see are rocks and stones... ♪

Oh good. Grab that, would you?

♪ Remember that a precious gift ♪

♪ Lies buried deep inside... ♪

Shake it.

♪ So dig a bit and you will find ♪

♪ Jewel of my heart ♪

♪ Jewel of my heart ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

Yeah. That was all kinds of right. So what are you doing here?

What are we doing here? What are you doing here?

We're doing what we're doing.

Right, but... why are you doing it here?

Acoustics.

Best in Omashu.

Hear that?

Harmony. That's what we're all about.

Harmony, music, love.

If these guys are okay being here, the tunnels probably aren't that bad.

Tunnels? Oh, no, these aren't the tunnels.

Those are the tunnels.

Yeah, I wouldn't go in there.

We don't have a choice.

We have to find our friend.

Well, in that case,

you should probably see this.

It's a tale of two lovers.

Oma and Shu met on top of the mountain that divided their two villages.

The villages were enemies, so they couldn't be together,

but their love was strong, so they found a way.

They learned earthbending from the badgermoles,

becoming the first Earthbenders.

They built elaborate tunnels so that they could meet secretly.

But one day, Oma didn't come.

She'd been killed in an attack.

Devastated, Shu wielded her earthbending power

to bring the villages to their knees.

She could've destroyed them all.

But instead, she declared the war over.

Both villages helped her build a new city where they would live together in peace.

The great city was named Omashu as a monument to their love.

"Love is brightest in the dark."

Remember that,

especially if you're going to go into the dark void

from which no living being ever returns.

♪ Oh, two lovers... ♪

It'll be okay. There's nothing to be afraid of in there.

Right. There's no such thing as angry spirits.

♪ Secret tunnel ♪

♪ Through the mountains ♪

♪ Secret, secret, secret, secret tunnel ♪

Yeah!

They're doomed.

A full complement of Earthbenders just for one old man.

I'm flattered.

Hold! Hold here.

Hold! Hold.

Just a precaution.

Many around these parts would be very interested to know

that the famed Dragon of the West is in their midst.

The Fire Nation general who laid siege to Ba Sing Se for 600 days.

Someone might be tempted to take matters into their own hands.

We can't let that happen, can we?

Now, is there anything I can do to make your journey more comfortable?

I'm fine.

Thank you.

You sure? Come on, don't hesitate to speak up.

It's a long ride to the Pit.

And I've got all the time in the world.

Very well, men. Mount up.

So you wanna go north.

North is...

...not good.

There's fire all over the north.

I don't have a choice. It's where I need to go.

A word of advice. The direct path is not always the best path.

You mean I should take the route that doesn't?

It means you should be careful where you step.

Ha!

Bumi, what is this?

Yah!

Bumi, what are you trying to prove?

Prove? Eh.

Maybe I'm trying to show you there are no easy journeys for the Avatar.

Maybe I just wanted to play a game like we did back in the old days.

And maybe I just wanted a bite of rock candy.

I'm coming, Uncle.

This way.

Is that what the map says?

Mmm, the map's unclear, but I got a hunch.

A hunch?

Yeah, a hunch. A feeling, an instinct.

You see that?

Put out your light.

Well, what do you know?

"Love is brightest in the dark." Get it? It was a clue.

You have to let it get dark so you can follow the light.

That's how you find the path.

The light of crystals?

These things are everywhere.

On the walls. On the floor.

- They're pretty random. - It's a path.

It said "love is brightest in the dark," not "glowy rocks."

Poetic license.

Like the minstrel said, love is the answer.

Love is all you need. Love makes the world go round.

You're listening to the minstrels?

- Sokka, wait! - Katara, what is your problem?

My problem is you're not taking me seriously.

This again.

- I'm not a little girl anymore. - Yet you keep acting like one.

And you keep acting like you know everything

when you couldn't even tell that a traitor was flat out lying to you.

- Says the girl who fell for a terrorist! - That's not what happened!

- You should've never talked to him! - You don't get to tell me who to talk to!

- You don't get to ignore me! - I can if you're being an idiot!

- Dad put me in charge! - You're not Dad!

Dad!

Guess we're not in Wolf Cove anymore, are we?

Guess not.

Imagine if Gran Gran could see us now.

Really could go for some of her seal jerky.

Or her noodles.

With the hot broth.

We'll get some soon.

You really think so?

I don't know.

Come on.

We better get going.

Seal jerky. I never knew how you could eat that stuff.

Bring him here. Bring him here.

Put a saddle on that one.

Firebenders don't need water, right?

You know, at Ba Sing Se,

the city had to ration fresh water after the first year of the siege.

Being in the military,

we got special privileges.

My brother, though...

he had a soft heart.

He'd gather food and water from his platoon

and give them to the children.

He was on watch the night you torched the Eastern Wall.

By the time we put the fires out, there was nothing left of him to bury.

He was 19.

All those lives lost.

All that fighting.

And Ba Sing Se still stands.

Was it worth it?

We were at war.

I was a soldier.

You were a butcher!

You know...

I can still smell smoke when I go to sleep at night.

It never really goes away.

War pushes us to the edge.

Some of us don't like what we find there.

Is that your pitiful way of saying you're sorry for what you did?

I wasn't talking about me.

Sir.

Stay back.

Oh, it's true, isn't it?

You have no humanity.

You know nothing of loss.

Is it true he abandoned the siege?

Yes, after his son was killed.

So his son dies a hero, and he'll be forever known as a coward.

Brother, take comfort in knowing that Lu Ten will forever be hailed

as a champion of the Fire Nation.

Thank you, Ozai.

His sacrifice will be enshrined in legend.

Uncle,

what a great honor for you and for Lu Ten

to die in the service of the Fire Nation.

When my studies weren't going well and Father was unhappy,

Lu Ten gave me this.

He had won it for finishing first in his officer class.

He said it should belong to someone destined to do great things.

It gave me strength.

Lu Ten never needed it

because he was the strongest person I knew.

You're getting good at that.

Practice and some good instruction.

Yeah? From the scroll?

Yeah.

And Jet, he helped me through some things.

He lost family, just like us.

He knows how those memories can hold you back.

He got me to see that I'd only been thinking about

how Mom died and not how she lived.

Jet might have gone down the wrong path, but he was pushed that way.

Just like Sai was.

You know, Sai told me I should be an engineer.

That was my true calling.

You believe that? I don't know.

But it was nice to hear someone tell me I had something to offer the world.

Besides my superior fighting skills.

Sokka.

What I said about you and Dad...

Forget it.

You led the tribe and protected us with nobody to help you.

Dad never had to bear that kind of burden alone.

You had it harder than him.

Oh, that's not right.

The crystals were just crystals, like I thought.

This shouldn't be here. We were here before, but this wall wasn't.

How is that possible?

It's not.

Unless...

The tunnels are changing.

Ah, behind these doors lies a fearsome challenge.

A true test of whether or not you are prepared to be the Avatar.

- Bumi. - Ah.

All these challenges, games, tests, none of them make any sense.

Nothing has made sense in a hundred years.

This isn't who you are.

The Bumi I know is a fun-loving, happy kid

who loves to skip rocks and always thinks about his friends.

Huh...

I believe that kid is still in there.

Very clever.

It's all about games with you, isn't it, Avatar?

Who cares about responsibility?

Who cares about, oh, saving the world?

No. More fun to goof off. Am I right?

Well,

let's play one final game.

As promised,

one final game to play, Avatar.

The simplest one of all.

You versus me.

To the death.

This is crazy. How can tunnels change?

- I knew the crystals were wrong. - Can we do I-told-you-so later?

Any chance I imagined that?

Badgermole.

Ah!

Help him.

Huh?

Do it.

Do it!

We've all seen enough death.

That's what you get for showing an Earthbender compassion.

Ah!

You're okay.

We need to go.

- I think you should rest-- - No time.

They'll send more soldiers soon.

We have to leave now.

Ah!

Katara!

Thanks.

Dead end.

Katara, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry too.

What's going on? Are we dead?

"Love is brightest in the dark."

It wasn't about the crystals.

That's not what guided Oma and Shu through the mountain.

It's blind.

They don't navigate by sight but by feeling.

They sense feelings and react to them.

Anger, fear, but mostly love.

"Love is brightest in the dark."

So they respond to love?

How do you think they do with verbal commands?

Uh, excuse me, Mr. Badgermole.

We'd really appreciate it if you could show us the way to the palace.

Please?

Uh...

Ah!

Please, Bumi! You don't have to do this!

Oh, but I do.

Some of us have to fight even when we don't want to.

That's what it means to be in a war!

No!

Ah!

You'd have known about that if you'd been around, but you weren't.

You left us.

You were the Avatar.

And you left us.

In this world, you can't rely on anyone,

even your friends.

Especially your friends.

Ah.

Well, as fun as this has been,

it's time for the games to end.

Ah!

Huh?

Bumi, I can't hold both of them. Help me!

Let it fall.

Let it fall, and you win.

- Bumi, this isn't a game! - Yes, it is.

One that requires you to make impossible choices.

Do I save this town or that?

Who gets the last of the food scraps? The orphanage or the soldiers?

You have to make choices like that

day after day, year after year.

And that's just to save this one city.

You have to save the whole world.

Let it fall, Aang,

and learn what it means to be the Avatar.

No!

Then the world is doomed.

Sokka, get the king.

Huh?

Ah!

Aang, now!

Are you okay?

Well, kid, you sure know how to bring the house down.

Cheater! You cheated!

You didn't do it on your own,

so you didn't learn anything at all.

You were wrong.

You can rely on your friends,

and that's the only way I'm gonna save the world.

With my friends.

You think like a child.

Is that really so bad?

Huh?

Remember this?

I use it to call a friend.

That's what I'm gonna do now.

Call on an old friend.

You were right.

I wasn't here for the world. Or for you.

But I'm here now.

Your Highness,

we've called up the reinforcements.

And... and... and you doubled the guards on the walls?

- Yes, Your Highness. - Good. Tell them I'll be there soon.

Wait, what's going on?

Fire Nation forces are on the move. They'll be here by dawn.

You're under attack?

We will be, but we will be ready.

Fortunately, a source tipped us off.

Sai?

The mechanist alerted the generals to a network of spies in the city.

Helped us round them up. Now, all of you get out of here.

The Avatar has places he has to be. We can take care of ourselves.

It's time Omashu rejoined the war.

Oh, uh, but I do have one more challenge for you.

My cabbages!

Ah.

It seems we are always getting on or off boats.

Perhaps that is our lot in life, Prince Zuko.

Ah, good. It's not too late.

What are you doing here, Uncle? Same as you.

Getting ready to embark on what is sure to be a memorable journey.

You wanna come with me?

I've come fully prepared. All the tea I need.

I don't need a babysitter.

How about a friend?

My father made it very clear

that I'm not to return until I find the Avatar...

which means

it could be a very long time before we return home.

Home.

Everything I need is on this boat.

Like I said, all the tea I need, hmm?

What is it, Zuko?

Nothing.

Let's get you home.

Run!

Get them! - How many are there?

Five? Six?

Maybe more!

Faster! This way!

After them!

Let's go! Let's go!

Hurry!

They're getting away!

Hurry!

Get them! Go! Go!

Now we have them!

Over there!

Whoo!

Whoo-hoo!

So... ice discs? That's new!

It's something I saw the Earthbenders do.

Thought I'd try a Waterbender version.

Your bending has gotten really sharp.

I mean, you've been inventing new moves.

That's the mark of a skilled bender.

I have been feeling pretty confident,

but I've learned everything I can from Gran Gran's scroll,

so what I really need is to get to the Northern Water Tribe.

Waterbending masters there will be able to take me to the next level.

We've been running into the Firebenders a lot more often.

We're getting closer to the Fire Nation border.

It was bound to happen,

even without Sokka's tragic dating attempts.

Hey, how was I supposed to know she was a Fire Nation soldier?

Look, we need to keep our guard up,

at least until we get to the North, where the--

Aang?

Fire Nation.

Why would they do this?

Why do they do anything?

This is all my fault.

It's the Avatar's job to protect the natural world.

That's just as important as helping people and fighting Firebenders.

How many more forests have died because I wasn't here?

Because I don't know what I'm doing?

Gran Gran says... life is a cycle.

And out of death comes new life.

This will be a forest again.

That's what you should see.

Seeds for the future.

Not past mistakes.

Hey!

No, it's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you.

You lost?

Uh,

my name's Sokka.

Rhymes with

"okka" and "wakka wakka."

She looks very brave. She have a name?

Well, maybe we can come up with one for her.

How about

Pippinpaddle Oppsokopolis?

The third.

Shi-yong made her for me.

Shi-yong?

Is Shi-yong your friend, or is he...

Sokka!

No, wait.

Over there.

There you are.

You know better than to wander off by yourself.

Hey, she... she dropped this.

We're not here to cause trouble. We...

She was just scared.

Something bad happened here, didn't it?

Please forgive my manners.

- Thank you for helping my daughter. - No need to apologize.

Living this close to the Fire Nation means you've gotta stay on your guard.

Yes. We have seen our share of war.

Was that how the forest was destroyed? A battle?

No.

The Firebenders just wanted a clear path as they moved through the mountains.

And that's why they burned down the forest?

But after the fire, strange things started happening.

Our crops started dying. Our... our animals stopped grazing.

It... it's almost as if the land itself had gotten sick.

A few days ago, we sent out an expedition to search for food.

And they never came back.

My son, Shi-yong,

he was with them.

We know what it is like to live in fear.

But this, this is something deeper.

It's something

beyond this world.

You're right. Your people are beyond this world.

But I can get them back.

Any news?

No, sir.

Nothing?

How many places can there be for a giant sky bison to hide?

- And no reports of anything unusual? - None.

Except...

Except what?

One of the resupply merchants mentioned something about

kids playing with ice blocks near Senlin Pass,

but he was probably mistaken.

So someone saw ice

in a place where no ice should exist?

Most people would call that unusual, wouldn't they, Lieutenant Jee?

Unless they were an idiot.

I'll send some men to investigate. No, I'll have to do it myself.

As always.

Commander Zhao is very impressive...

working with no support in a forgotten little corner of the world,

and yet he found the Avatar.

I've always admired how you manage your commanders.

You always seem to know how to get the most out of their talents.

Now,

if it were me,

I'd send more resources to Zhao.

See what he can do with a little support.

"Water the most promising seeds."

You taught me that.

You may be right.

Tell Colonel Shinu to mobilize the archers.

And alert the chancellor I'll be redirecting some funds.

And, Azula...

Zhao didn't discover the Avatar. Zuko did.

He's the one who displayed resilience and dedication.

That's what I expect from a future heir.

Not self-serving flattery and coy whispers.

The world we live in isn't the only world there is.

There's another realm beyond ours.

The Spirit World.

Usually, the two remain separate,

but there are places where the barrier between them is thin.

So you think the forest is one of these thin places?

I don't think it.

I feel it.

And I believe the fires weaken the barrier even more.

The Avatar is the bridge between the natural world and the Spirit World,

and I can feel how close the two are.

It's like ice that's started to crack.

So you're gonna hop into the Spirit World, grab the lost folks, and hop back.

Something like that. Yeah.

You sounded a lot more confident before.

Because all of this is my responsibility.

Yes, I need to get to the North so I can save the Waterbenders,

but I also need to help these people

so they don't lose their homes and the ones they love

the way I lost mine.

It's impossible for you to do everything.

It's like Bumi said, "The Avatar has to do the impossible."

I need to find where the spiritual energies are strongest.

And where's that?

I'll know it when I find it.

You almost said something specific.

Katara?

Aang?

A shrine to the spirit of the forest.

This is the place.

So what do we do?

We watch over Aang.

Once his spirit crosses over, his body will be vulnerable.

We need to protect him.

Oh.

And how will we know that this works?

I'm not sure.

- I'm getting hungry. - Hey, do you mind?

I'm trying to concentrate here.

Sh.

Sokka, I think it worked.

Katara?

Ah!

- What is happening? - I don't know! Aang?

I've separated my spirit from my body, but somehow, I brought you guys with me.

How is that possible?

Must be the energies in the place

and the thinness of the barrier and my power.

Well, get us back! Get us back now!

I'm... I'm sorry.

Uh...

We're in the Spirit World.

Don't mention the Avatar. We can't let word get out.

Agreed. And we should tread lightly.

The Fire Nation may control this territory,

but it's still Earthbender country.

- We don't want to cause trouble. - When have I ever caused trouble?

When, indeed.

They're Fire Nation. Look at them.

Look at their garments.

I heard Waterbenders might've been around these parts not long ago.

- Did you see them? - No.

- But you remember hearing about them. - Sort of.

Perhaps this... will help.

Now,

did you see the Waterbenders?

No.

But I heard the Avatar might be traveling with some Waterbenders.

What did you say? The Avatar.

He's with some Waterbenders.

Isn't that right, Muki?

What? The Avatar? That's what those pirates said.

No, it wasn't the pirates. It was that canyon guide.

He said the Avatar fought off some canyon crawlers

with the help of a couple Waterbenders.

Was he the one who told us about how they stopped the volcano...

It seems they've heard about the Avatar.

Right after they fought the mad King of Omashu.

I'm gonna lose him. I'm gonna lose everything!

If word has gotten to this backwoods hole, that means everyone knows.

Everyone in the Earth Kingdom. Everyone in the Fire Nation.

The hunters will be out. There's blood in the water now.

Help me! She's crazy!

Don't die, you idiot.

I only get half if you die.

What are you looking at?

A low-life bounty hunter.

Low-life? Big talk for a little boy.

I'll let it pass 'cause your dad's kinda cute.

Should've known they would've let mercenaries run wild here.

Gyatso used to tell me that the Spirit World and the physical world

are tied together.

What happens to one affects the other. It's kinda like your soul and your body.

Separate but connected.

That makes sense.

Gyatso had a way of making things easy to understand.

He made everything easy.

He sounds amazing.

He was.

You know, I've always felt I was a spiritually-attuned person.

- Might be why I crossed over with you. - Is that a frog or a froggy thing?

I have no idea how he got in here.

The villagers are probably trying to find a way out.

They're probably looking for something familiar.

Assuming they realize they don't belong in here.

None of you belong in here.

Uh, who said that?

Who said what?

No human belongs in this realm.

That is one big birdie.

"Birdie"?

I am no birdie.

I am the spirit of knowledge itself.

Please excuse Sokka. He didn't mean anything.

- Aang, who are you talking to? - What do you mean?

They do not hear what you hear.

Their small minds are incapable of comprehending my speech.

But I hear you.

You are the Avatar.

You were meant to have one foot in this world.

They, however, are interlopers.

And the longer they stay,

the more dangerous it will become for them.

Dangerous?

Dangerous?

The birdie's not gonna eat us, is it?

That should be the least of his worries.

There are creatures in here that will do far more

than devour your body.

They'll eat your soul.

Aang? What's he saying?

He says he's not gonna hurt us.

All we want is to find our missing friends,

and we'll get out of here.

There is one who lives in a stone hut not far beyond the woods.

He may know what's become of your friends.

Follow the path, and you will find him.

Wait. Wait. What did you mean about danger?

What could happen to them?

There are things in here that will reveal truths to humans.

Truths they're never prepared to face.

It will show them who they really are,

and that can cause a great deal of pain.

Farewell, Avatar,

and remember, stay on the path.

Bye-bye, Birdie.

That's enough.

The lesson is over, Your Highness.

Azula!

Azula!

Azula!

Are you okay? Here, let me help you.

Um,

that was intense.

Yeah.

- You could've hurt him. - That's his fault.

He should've been better.

Except this wasn't about the trainer... was it?

Azula, you're the best.

Everybody knows that.

You're perfect.

That's not good enough.

There you are. Where have you been?

Apologies. I got distracted watching a game of Pai Sho.

The street players in these parts are quite good.

I'm sure they are. Now let's go.

They didn't follow the expected tactics, but that was their strength.

Uncle, is there any chance you could finish this story on the boat?

Prince Zuko, there is much you can learn from these Pai Sho players.

They are untrained, but that only means their minds are open to new ideas.

And so they are ready when a solution reveals itself.

No!

June is the best at what she does, and that's finding people.

She's a mercenary. Her loyalty is bought and sold.

How can you trust someone like that?

June is a professional.

If she fails, she doesn't get paid, and she doesn't eat.

Prince Zuko, I know you have always believed

there is a right and a wrong way of doing things.

It is a mark of a great leader,

but the rules are different out here.

Commander Zhao knows this,

and he's already making moves while we have yet to draw our tiles.

So... tell me about this Avatar.

Um...

- Oh, did you see that? - See what?

Did you see... that?

Sokka, relax.

The owl said we'd be fine as long as we stuck to the path.

Right, Aang?

Right.

Aang? What did the owl really say?

He said it could be dangerous for you guys in here.

That you might have to face the truth.

But how bad could the truth be, right?

Right.

Right?

The truth.

Yeah.

Yeah, I can deal with the truth.

What I can't deal with is getting eaten by some giant spirit monster.

You had to say something.

Aang, please tell me that's some spirit language only you can understand,

and it's saying, "Welcome, friends, would you like some cake?"

That's not what it's saying.

Just stay on the path.

The owl said it'd be okay as long as we stay on the path.

We're on the path. We're on the path.

We're on the path! We're on the path!

Get off the path!

It's the spirit of the forest.

It's wounded.

I can't bend. I can't bend!

I can't either.

Look out!

Hey, skunky! Why don't you pick on someone your own size?

I... I didn't mean me.

- Sokka! - Everyone, run!

Pain.

Pain.

So much pain.

Actually, they're just scratches.

Not you. Hei Bai.

Hey, what?

Hei Bai. That spirit.

It's in a lot of pain.

I must've landed harder than I thought.

I'm a little discombobulated.

You're funny.

And you're a talking fox.

Then again, not the craziest thing I've seen today.

I need to get to my friends before they get eaten by that monster.

It's not a monster. It's hurt.

That's what pain does to you.

It changes you into something that you're not.

Don't you know what it's like to be hurt?

Well, these scratches are making me pretty irritable, so...

Do you always make jokes when you don't wanna talk about something?

What? That's not what I do.

You should go. I hope you can "recombobulate."

Spirit World.

Oh, and be careful.

The fog can be... dangerous.

Sokka?

Aang?

Aang?

Katara.

Mom? There you are.

I've been looking all over for you.

This can't be.

Is it really you? What?

Katara, are you okay?

It's just been so long.

Come on. We're late.

I'm telling you, four strands is stronger.

I didn't say it wasn't stronger.

I said it was a waste.

Katara, you're not braiding.

You know I was never good at this.

Sokka used to tease me about...

Where's Sokka?

He and your father should be back from their fishing expedition soon.

Katara...

I can't bend.

You will. I know it.

Someday, you are gonna show the world just how powerful you are.

You will protect all of us.

Fire Nation! Run!

Hide her.

Find the Waterbender! Go!

Katara, we have to get inside now!

No, I'm not going in there!

Hide.

And whatever you do, don't come out.

Where's the Waterbender? We know you have one in the village.

All the Waterbenders are gone or dead because of you.

You're lying.

Turn the bender over.

Or die.

Wait!

It's me.

I'm the Waterbender.

So much fear.

So much despair.

Ooh.

Spirit World. More like mud world.

It smells like Appa after a rainstorm.

Well, that doesn't seem right.

Dad?

The spirits of water bear witness to this mark.

For the strength and leadership displayed during his ice-dodging trials,

I grant this Mark of the Wise...

to Sokka.

To my son.

Huh!

This is the day of my ice-dodging trials.

This is the day you passed your ice-dodging trials.

Just as the warriors in our family always have.

You did make it exciting though.

Bato!

You were cutting it a little close around those icebergs, weren't ya?

Yeah, that's right. I lost control.

I...

I didn't know what to do.

If you hadn't have been on the boat and stepped in...

We all came through in one piece.

That's all that matters. Right, Hakoda?

Yes, that's right, and selecting the right crew

is part of being a wise leader.

It's why we do the trials with help from our friends.

You see?

Why don't you go find your sister? And we can all celebrate.

Hey, Sokka.

We just saw your ice-dodging cutter or what remains of it.

If this is how you pass a test,

I'd hate to see what you do to a boat when you fail.

What a joke.

I didn't think he'd get in trouble that quickly.

If it weren't for you, Sokka would have wrecked us.

We're lucky to be alive.

It was tricky. Even I only saw the breakers at the last second.

You don't have to make excuses for him.

I'd hoped,

when he really had to prove himself, that he'd do...

better.

The truth is, not everyone is meant to have people's lives in their hands.

Give in to your despair.

Katara!

Sokka!

Home.

It isn't real.

It isn't real.

What have we here?

Someone who can resist?

That can't be possible.

Unless...

Ah, of course.

It's my old friend, the Avatar.

Do I know you?

I should say so.

One of your previous incarnations tried to slay me.

Why would I try to kill you?

Oh, it was something about stealing the face of someone you loved.

But you know all about stealing, don't you?

Perhaps you've come to return what you stole from me.

I don't know what you're talking about. All I want is to find my friends.

Your friends?

Now, why would I let you play with my food?

Hello?

Aang?

Gyatso?

Aang!

You finally made it!

This isn't... this isn't real. It can't be. It's another trick.

It's another illusion.

I know it's hard to believe, but... it's really me.

There are lots of Illusions here, but you've emerged from the fog.

This is real.

Recognize this?

One of the last games we played.

Hey!

Ah.

Your turn.

Cheater.

I can't believe it's really you.

How is this possible?

How are you... here?

Ah. Well...

after you left the Southern Air Temple, the Firebenders attacked.

It was sudden and swift.

Most who perished moved on in the Great Cycle.

I chose a different path.

You chose not to move on to the next stage of enlightenment?

Why?

Because

I knew you would need me.

I do need you.

I'm supposed to be the Avatar, and everyone is counting on me,

except I don't know what I'm doing.

But now you're here.

Aang, I can't tell you how to be the Avatar.

Of course you can.

Avatar Kyoshi told me that I need to get to the North

to prevent a great tragedy from happening.

Except... I don't know how.

I don't know anything.

You know a lot more than you think. I doubt that.

I mean, how am I supposed to save the world

if I can't even save...

my friends?

They're somewhere in the fog.

Ah.

That is the Fog of Lost Souls.

A place that imprisons people in their darkest memories,

and it is the hunting ground for Koh, the face stealer.

He preys on those paralyzed by despair and doubt.

He must have the villagers too. The ones we came to rescue.

Koh will have taken them to his lair.

Koh will hold them there until he's ready to feed.

When that happens,

their souls will be lost forever.

I have to save them!

Koh is a primal spirit,

a dangerous and ruthless predator.

There is no way to defeat him.

I have to try.

I have to do something.

Koh.

He said that he knew me.

That I've taken something from him.

It's true. Previous Avatars have tangled with Koh.

It's said Roku once even got the best of the spirit,

but nobody knows exactly what happened.

Okay.

Then... I need to talk to Roku.

I've contacted Avatar Kyoshi at her shrine.

I can do the same with Roku.

Except Roku's temple is in the Fire Nation.

- It'll be a dangerous journey. - I don't have a choice.

I'll be back.

Aang!

There's something I need to tell you.

You... couldn't have done anything... if you'd stayed with us.

You couldn't have stopped the Fire Nation.

You couldn't have prevented the war.

You would have just died along with everyone else.

It's not your fault.

So... let go.

Can we talk about it when I get back?

Of course.

You should hurry. Koh will feed again before too long.

Right. Once I save my friends, we'll have more time.

Time.

Time is a funny thing.

The past, the future,

it all gets mixed up.

There's only one way to keep it straight.

It's by remembering what really matters.

I hope you can help me, Avatar Roku.

I know you're in pain. I saw your spirit.

I'm gonna make this right, and I'm gonna save my friends.

I promise.

Sorry, buddy. You can't come this time.

You too, Momo.

It's too dangerous.

Keep them safe for me, okay?

Of course, keeping sight of what's important can be hard.

Sometimes it feels like we'll always be alone.

And the only thing keeping us company is our own pain.

We tell ourselves we are the problem.

Especially when things we can't control come our way.

That's why we must let go of our pain and regret

and remember what it is we're really fighting for.

The ones we love.

Let that be the light that guides you through the most treacherous of times...

and the darkest of nights.

We spend so much time hiding who we really are,

making sure no one sees the person we truly want to be.

So it's hard to remember there was a time

when we were truly excited to show the world our true face.

Very impressive.

That uniform suits you well.

Does it look right? I had trouble with the shoulder guards.

There. Perfect.

- What... what is it? - Nothing.

Tell me.

Your gauntlets are laced incorrectly, but no one will notice.

What? Help me fix it!

I remember my first war council meeting.

They were smaller affairs back then. More private.

Ozai, however, seems to enjoy having an audience.

Father says he welcomes different opinions.

I'd advise against testing that. Best to observe and learn for now.

There.

How do I look?

Like a prince.

Why are we off course? Who changed the heading?

- Lieutenant Jee, I asked you a question. - We were given new orders.

New orders? By who? By me.

We've been playing catch-up for too long. I think it's time for a new strategy.

You think?

I am the one hunting the Avatar.

I am in charge of this mission.

I am the commander of this ship.

And I

am an admiral.

Fire Lord Ozai saw fit to put me

in charge of all operations related to the capture of the Avatar.

Of course I welcome your assistance.

In fact, I expect it.

I'll need all the resources at my disposal,

no matter how minimal.

I'll come by later

to discuss a few personnel changes I'd like to make.

Until then, carry on.

What's happened?

Lieutenant Jee, resume our original course.

Did you hear me?

Resume course!

Do you know what the punishment for mutiny is?

I do, and that's why I can't do what you say.

Admiral Zhao was very clear with these orders

and what would happen if we didn't follow them.

Are you seriously gonna let this spineless slug tell us what to do?

He doesn't know what's at stake!

We can't let him come in and take it away. Not after everything we've been through.

For the last three years, we've only had each other,

and that's still true.

Only those of us on this boat know what it's been like.

Zhao is not the one who deserves your loyalty.

Zuko is. Loyalty?

General, with all due respect, your nephew doesn't know the meaning of the word.

If he did, he would've shown us,

the people who've been with him night and day for three years,

a lot more respect.

Instead, we've had to put up with his insults and abuse and tantrums.

He doesn't care what we've had to sacrifice,

because he's never had to sacrifice anything.

If you ask anyone here, they'll tell you, "He may be a prince,

but he's not our prince."

Sir.

I know Zuko has his rough edges.

But you must understand he's been through a lot.

And he knows far more about sacrifice than you can ever know.

Greetings, wise sages. I'm glad to see you.

Uh, my name is Aang, and I'm here to visit the shrine of Avatar Roku.

You see,

I'm the Avatar.

We know.

Wait!

You're supposed to be men of peace!

After him!

I'm a friend.

This will take us to Avatar Roku's shrine. Quickly.

He must be close.

Search everywhere!

Whoa. Easy, girl.

Caught a scent, have we?

Okay, Nyla. Let's go.

My name is Shyu.

I believe the Avatar represents not any one kingdom

but the hope of a unified world.

Sadly, the Great Sage and the others believe

the Fire Lord is their true spiritual leader.

They have lost their way.

So all of this belonged to Roku?

These are relics from previous Avatars

that my grandfather gathered for safekeeping.

I need to make contact with Avatar Roku.

He's the only one who can tell me how to save my friends.

I will hold them off for as long as I can.

Step aside.

Great Sage, this boy's the Avatar. He is a hope for the world.

Remember the teachings of Avatar Roku.

Fire is not meant to dominate the other elements.

It should exist in balance with them.

The only one who can provide balance is Fire Lord Ozai.

He will unify the world, not the Avatar.

And you have no idea how powerful he will soon become.

Now, for the last time,

step aside.

I can't do that.

Then you shall burn along with the rest of the nonbelievers.

Who dares disturb the peace of the Avatar?

Uh, it's me. Aang.

Is it not customary to bow before your elders?

And to avert your eyes?

And hop on one leg?

Forgive me!

I couldn't resist.

It's good to see you, Aang,

but what took you so long?

I thought you would come to seek my advice sooner.

Avatar Kyoshi told me

that I need to figure things out on my own.

That it was part of my journey.

Sounds like her.

Kyoshi has always been kind of...

I thought you'd all be like that. Aren't Avatars incarnations of each other?

We share the same spark, but we are our own people.

I'm different from Kyoshi,

just as you are different from either of us.

For instance, what did Kyoshi tell you the role of the Avatar was?

She said I need to be a fierce, merciless warrior.

Yes, there are times when the Avatar must resort to force and intimidation,

but in addition to being a warrior,

the Avatar must also be a diplomat.

So we can solve the world's problems without hurting anyone?

We can try, but there are consequences if we fail.

Painful... consequences.

But like Kyoshi, I am here to aid you in your journey.

Anything you need.

It has to do with Koh.

Anything but that.

- You don't understand-- - No, you don't understand.

Koh is a predatory spirit

who can hurt you in ways you can't imagine.

Just ask Avatar Kuruk.

I don't have a choice, and I'm running out of time.

He's captured my friends, and if I don't do something,

they'll be lost forever.

Please.

I heard you defeated him once.

No, I never defeated him.

I only managed to take something from him.

Perhaps you've come to return what you stole from me.

What did you take?

A totem that represents something that Koh needs and cannot forget.

The pendant belonged to the Mother of Faces,

an ancient spirit who crafted faces for all living beings.

It's because of her that identity came into this world.

And she

is Koh's mother.

Koh longs for the same thing we all do.

Family.

A totem?

Sounds like something he'd be willing to trade for.

Thank you, Roku.

Aang!

I hope that you're able to save your friends.

But the truth is, for the Avatar, friends can be...

a liability.

The Avatar has to make the impossible choices,

placing the world's needs ahead of your needs.

On that, Kyoshi and I agree.

Trust me.

It'll save you and the ones you love

a lot of pain.

...a lot of pain.

What happened to them?

Paralyzed.

Sh!

Everything's gonna be fine.

So you're the Avatar, huh? Not sure what all the fuss is about.

You need to let me go.

No, really. You need to let me go.

People are depending on me. You don't know what's at stake.

I've heard the stories about how you're gonna save the world.

Here's the thing.

Some of us don't need saving.

Some of us have got this world figured out.

You got your Firebenders and your Earthbenders

and your whatever-benders,

and they all want something.

They're all willing to fight to get it.

So if you're smart, you just sit back and wait for the dust to clear

and then pick through broken pieces for the leftovers.

Far as I'm concerned, world's just fine the way it is.

Time's up, Avatar.

You did it.

You actually got him.

Feel free to count it.

I trust you. You know why?

Because if there's any missing, you'll come after us?

Because you're so cute.

Oh, and careful. This one's got a lot of heat on him.

A bunch of hunters have been sniffing around.

Folks not to be messed with.

See you around, Avatar.

Please just let me do what I have to do, and I swear I'll come back.

My friends are in danger, and I'm the only one who can save them.

If I don't return soon, I'll lose them forever.

Why? Why don't you listen to me?

Do you know what it's like to have people depending on you?

To have someone's life in your hands?

I do.

Then please let me save them!

No.

You couldn't have always been this way.

What happened to you?

The Earth Kingdom's forces are concentrated along the southern coast.

We tried flanking them, but they keep lengthening the line.

How about a pincer move?

They're anchored by cliffs. They can outflank any attacks.

What would you do?

Your Highness, I would suggest-- Not you.

Zuko.

What would you do?

Um...

Horns tactic. Enveloping flanks, leaving an escape route to draw them out.

Didn't you hear the general? They're protected by cliffs on one side.

Tundra tanks to come over the top.

They're Earthbenders.

Our tanks would be buried under rocks in seconds.

I...

I...

General.

We could advance a division... here.

With the enemy's firepower focused on that diversion,

we can launch pinning attacks here... and here.

If you send them into the heart of their forces, how will they retreat?

They won't.

But they'll be lost.

You're gonna sacrifice them.

Sacrifice is a part of war.

What division do you suggest?

The 41st. They're mostly new recruits.

They're expendable.

Good.

This isn't something you learn in a textbook.

Little boys should know better than to play at war.

It's a terrible plan.

What did you say?

I said... it's a terrible plan!

Soldiers are gonna die, and for what?

It's unworthy of a Fire Nation officer.

You dare question--

Enough!

There is only one way to resolve this.

Agni Kai.

Someone's out there.

Let us through! Do you know who I am?

Of course we do.

Just as we all know you're in defiance of my orders,

which means that by disrespecting me, you're dishonoring your father,

which, I guess, shouldn't be surprising, given the stories I've heard.

We'll take the Avatar.

Over my dead body.

Tempting.

However...

The Yuyan Archers.

Ozai was gracious enough to lend them to me.

It's said they can shoot the wings off a glowfly

from a thousand paces.

I imagine...

this shouldn't be much of a challenge for them.

Where will you take him?

Pohuai Stronghold for the night.

Then straight to Capital City.

I'm sure the Fire Lord is eager to take possession of his prize.

He's been waiting a long time, and I don't want him to be disappointed

any more than he already has been.

If we take the Eastern Pass, we can make it to Pohuai by nightfall.

- Prince Zuko. - Watch out for the Archers.

But Zhao will likely station them by the Avatar--

Zuko!

Pohuai Stronghold is impenetrable.

Why do you think Zhao told us he was going there?

He knows attacking it would be suicide.

Entire armies have tried and failed.

Not only that, but Pohuai lies inside Fire Nation borders.

Going there would violate your banishment.

- I don't care! - But Ozai does, and if he finds out--

- But the Avatar-- - He's lost!

For now.

Right now, Zhao has the upper hand.

But sooner or later, he'll make a mistake, and that's when we can make our move.

Until then,

patience.

Make sure you get this.

The Fire Lord will wanna know all the details of the Avatar's capture.

Make it clear I spared no effort in securing him.

And we should add a few thoughts from the Avatar himself.

If not for the Fire Lord, then for posterity.

Now,

Avatar,

had you heard of my name before your capture,

or was this the first time?

Please. You have to let me go.

No, no. There are four guards, not three,

and both his hands and his feet are shackled.

- Make sure you get it right. - There are innocent lives at stake!

I can't let everyone down again.

Not again.

If I were you,

I'd be thinking less about my past

and more about my future.

It's not my future I'm worried about.

Really?

I mean, I'd worry a little.

Oh, you won't be killed.

If you die, you'll just be reborn.

We'd have to begin our search for the Avatar all over again,

so... you'll live.

Though not well.

Well...

Blow all the hot air you want. It won't change your fate.

What are you doing? Don't write that down.

We are the loyal sons and daughters of fire,

the superior element.

Until now, only one thing stood in our path to victory.

The Avatar.

And today, we've done something no one has been able to do.

We have captured the Avatar!

This is just the first step.

There will be mighty battles to be fought.

But not tonight.

Tonight,

we will celebrate!

We will praise the glory of the Fire Nation!

Whoa.

Did you get everything?

You know it. As much wine as I could haul.

Gonna be some night, huh?

Let's hope there's less firespitting than Ahn's birthday.

My eyebrows only just grew back.

All clear. Open gate!

Whoa.

He's got the goods.

Man, am I happy to see your ugly butt.

Who's there?

Sound the alarm.

Who are you?

Right. Run now, talk later.

Make sure to include the full transcript of my speech,

but change "loyal" to "faithful."

It sounds more personal.

Also, make sure the Great Sage has everything he needs for his research.

Now, was that "loyal" or "faithful," sir?

The Avatar has escaped!

The Avatar's escaped!

There! On the wall! Don't let him get to the gate!

The Avatar! Stop him!

Ah!

Hey! Here. Take this.

Hop on!

Ah!

Ah!

Ah!

Hold your fire!

I need the Avatar... alive.

What... what are you doing?

Open the gate!

Sir!

Do it!

Now!

Open gate!

Do you have a shot?

Take him out.

Kill the mercenary,

and recover the Avatar!

Now!

Where did they go?

Check over there!

Did you see anything?

Sir, footprints!

Over here!

I have a small boat nearby.

We can't go anywhere. Not with those soldiers still out there.

This way!

You shouldn't try to move.

You're hurt.

- I'm trying to help. - I don't need your help.

Fine.

Have it your way.

What?

Nothing.

Can I ask you something?

It might be a little personal.

Goat hair or rabbit?

Your calligraphy brush. Goat hair or rabbit?

Your characters are so neat. I mean, I could never get mine like that.

Monks used to say lemur droppings were more legible than my brush strokes.

Look,

I know I shouldn't have taken your notebook,

and I'm sorry.

It's been a lifesaver. Really.

You have information on all the past Avatars

that no one else has.

All the Air Nomad monks, they're all gone.

So all I had was your notebook.

I can't tell you how many nights I stayed up reading it.

You helped me a lot.

I mean, it helped me a lot.

Goat hair.

It's stiffer, more control.

My teachers made me practice every morning.

I wasn't allowed to do fight training

until I had done 100 vertical strokes and 100 horizontal.

Me too!

Except mine were for spiritual studies.

A lot of the time, when I was supposed to be meditating, I was actually sleeping.

I always got caught. Probably didn't help that I snored.

Those guys out there, they're Fire Nation.

Yes.

So they're on your side. Why are you fighting them?

They're not on my side.

But they will be. When I capture you and bring you back, I...

If I catch you, I can go home.

Then I can take my place as the rightful heir to the Fire Lord.

And that's what you want? To be the next Fire Lord?

Yes. Of course. It's what everyone expects of me.

Gyatso.

He was my teacher.

He said we can't worry about anyone else's expectations.

I know. It's not that easy.

I mean, I'm the Avatar, and... it's what everyone expects of me.

All I do is worry about that.

Maybe you don't have to be like the other Firebenders.

Maybe you could be better than them.

You know what the Fire Lord is doing is wrong,

so you don't have to be like him.

You can show some compassion.

How dare you?

I'm the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. I'll be the example for all Firebenders.

And my father is a great man.

Compassion?

Compassion is a sign of weakness.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you.

I have a feeling you've been hurt more than enough.

Prepare yourself.

Father?

But... I'm... I'm here to duel General Li.

You're here because you have no respect for our military.

That's not true. Really?

Even when they come up with terrible plans?

My plans!

My strategy. My military. That's what you have insulted.

Forgive me, Father. I meant no disrespect.

Rise. No! Please, Father.

Rise!

Brother!

Don't do this.

He's your son.

We'll see.

Rise and fight, Prince Zuko,

so you can learn some respect.

Is this everything? Give me everything.

Compassion is a sign of weakness.

The soldiers are gone,

so you should be able to get back to your ship

without getting spotted.

You know the worst part about being born a hundred years ago?

I miss my friends.

Like Kuzon.

He was the best.

And he was from the Fire Nation.

If we knew each other back then...

do you think we could have been friends?

You should turn in, sir. We'll keep watch.

Any sign of the prince, we'll let you know.

Thank you, Lieutenant, but I'll wait a little longer.

You're wrong, you know.

About him not caring.

If anything, Zuko cares too much,

especially about the people on this ship.

Of course, sir.

Lieutenant, have you ever wondered

how you and the others were assigned this mission?

The doctor is creating a special herbal balm just for you.

And the good news is, he says your vision will be fine,

which means you have the good fortune of continuing to bask in my beauty.

Now is not a good time.

- I wish to speak with my son. - He's hurt.

- He'll recover. - But he'll never heal.

The doctor says you'll recuperate quickly.

It's a sign your body is strong. That's good.

Your spirit, however,

still needs strengthening.

You held back today.

Maybe you saw that as a sign of respect, but it wasn't.

It was weakness.

You must purge that weakness out of you.

You must be willing to give up the weak to make yourself strong.

That is what makes us the Fire Nation.

That is why we sacrifice the 41st Division.

That is what you must do.

Sometimes the weak can become stronger.

Sometimes you just have to give them a chance.

I have made a mistake.

I've sheltered you, and it's made you soft like your mother.

Well, since you seem unable to learn within the walls of this palace,

perhaps the demands of the world outside will prove to be a better teacher.

You will leave here immediately, and you are not to return

until...

until you have conquered the greatest remaining threat to our nation's destiny.

You will find, capture, and bring me the Avatar.

You are not to set a foot within our borders

until this task is completed.

Under threat of the severest of penalties!

Ozai! You can't!

Brother, it's done.

Oh.

And since you're so concerned with the 41st Division,

take them with you

as your crew.

The 41st?

We're the 41st.

And you're all alive because of my nephew's sacrifice.

There's something out there.

It's him. Drop the lines!

You're injured. - I'm fine.

We should have someone look at it.

I've dealt with worse.

I'm not going to ask you where you went, but in the future, nephew,

I would appreciate it if you let me know whether or not you're still alive.

There actually are a few of us who care about...

about such things.

Attention!

Huh!

Our prince... has returned.

Hup! Hup!

What's going on?

They must've missed you at music night.

It's amazing how far we'll go to hide our true selves from the world.

Perhaps it's because we don't want people to know

how much they really mean to us...

...which is funny because the truth is, we would do anything for them.

We'd travel incredible distances.

Risk our lives.

Even fight monsters.

But I suppose it can be scary to admit you need people.

Some might see that as a weakness, a liability.

It's been so long. How do you feel?

After all, what greater pain is there than losing someone you love?

Or worse...

Gyatso?

...finding out someone you love has left you behind.

Can we talk about it when I get back?

Of course.

Once I save my friends, we'll have more time.

I guess that's why we feel the need to hide away and protect ourselves.

So we put on a mask.

It's not hard to understand why.

What's hard is knowing that sometimes...

the mask is who you really are.

Prince Zuko, the Imperial Guard, they're coming to take the prince into custody.

- What? - The Imperial Guard?

- They're already on their way. - Lieutenant Jee, slow down.

I was just on Admiral Zhao's ship going over the latest... fuel usage figures.

Lieutenant Dang and I were burning the midnight oil.

So funny, your face. Oh!

Dang stepped out to take a message.

Keep drinking.

I overheard them discussing new orders. Orders from the Fire Lord himself.

He sent his personal guard to bring Prince Zuko back to Capital City,

where he is to stand trial...

For treason.

Treason? Are you certain?

Yes, sir. I heard Dang order his men to shore to meet the guard.

Tonight? That means he'll be here any minute.

This is Zhao's doing.

Somehow, he's convinced Ozai you've turned against him.

Pohuai, Zhao’s figured out you were the one that freed the Avatar.

Prince Zuko, you need to leave, now.

Do not start the engines until you are well clear.

Stay off the main roads, and travel only at night.

Uncle, we can't let my father believe I've turned against him.

I know, but first you must get to safety. Let me sort things out with Ozai.

Thank you, Lieutenant Jee.

Stay safe, Your Highness.

Jee had no idea.

It was all too easy to get him to take the bait.

What will you tell the Fire Lord about his son?

I'll tell him the truth.

That the prince chose to put his needs over those of his countrymen.

And that his son was a traitor.

Blasting jelly.

The prince!

Zuko.

Now I need to deliver my condolences to General Iroh.

I'm sure he's been through a terrible shock.

Zuko's on his own,

and he wasn't anything like I thought he'd be.

He just seemed so alone.

I'm shocked.

Sokka, Aang made a connection with him.

Right?

I just realized Zuko and I, we both have a lot on our shoulders.

This whole time, I've been worried that I don't know what I'm doing.

And the truth is, I don't.

I haven't learned any of the other bending skills,

and I'll probably continue messing up,

but at least I'll be able to do it with my friends by my side.

That's right. Team Avatar.

What is it, boy?

Look!

It's the Northern Water Tribe!

We did it. We finally made it.

They're here!

Avatar, welcome

to Agna Qel'a.

This is...

Beautiful.

It's perfect.

We've been expecting you.

Mother! Your beast is in good hands.

My men will take him to our buffalo yak stables,

which are in a heated grotto with plenty of light and space.

Make sure he gets seaweed.

Lots of seaweed.

Of course.

Welcome. I'm Arnook, chief of the Northern Water Tribe,

and I offer you our hospitalities and our protection

in the name of the Ocean and Moon Spirits.

Thank you. You don't know how long we've been looking forward to this.

I can't tell you the joy it brings us to welcome

a long-lost brother and sister from the South.

This is Master Pakku. He is our senior waterbending master.

And this is my daughter, Princess Yue, our tribe's spiritual leader.

There's something I need to tell you. You're in danger.

Avatar Aang--

I know it sounds crazy,

but I've seen a vision, and in it, the North is under attack.

We know.

Several days ago, our scouts picked up a Fire Nation fleet steaming this way.

We've been keeping track of them ever since.

We are grateful to have you with us.

With the power of the Avatar on our side,

we'll teach them a lesson they won't soon forget.

Citizens, it is a great day for our city as we welcome mighty allies,

and we shall celebrate their arrival with a feast.

Feast. The spirits have protected us...

- Stop staring. - Huh?

I can't help it. There's something about her.

- Have we met her before? - No.

Now quit it before they think something's wrong with you.

More than there already is.

I swear, I will not rest until I hunt down these villains.

Our enemies can't be allowed to get away with such a brazen crime.

And I know where to start the hunt.

I know who did this.

It was Ozai.

Ozai's lost all shred of humanity.

He's become so obsessed with conquering the world,

he cannot tolerate anyone who would get in the way of this,

not even his own flesh and blood.

I see.

I sympathize.

It does make what I'm about to say

a bit awkward.

The Fire Lord

has given me the honor

of leading a great armada

with orders to conquer the North.

We know the Avatar is headed there,

to the last great Waterbender stronghold,

and so I am setting out to take it.

Forgive me, Admiral,

but you weren't the first to come to mind for such a... prominent mission.

I admit that I have little experience in battle.

Of course, that also means that I have no track record of failure.

Unlike you.

Ah!

That's enough.

Enough!

The Fire Lord deems your performance

below average.

But I defeated him!

You should've finished him at least two moves earlier.

Thus, you will undergo another trial tomorrow.

You realize he's playing games with you, right?

Didn't feel like a game when that boulder was flying at my head.

Just saying your father already knows you're the best.

He just doesn't want you to know that.

Let my father empty his prisons.

Send every bender he has at me.

I'll burn everyone in the world until he admits the truth.

What truth?

That I'm the one.

Why don't you just go and talk to her?

And say what? "Hey there. Sokka, Southern Water Tribe."

She's just a girl.

She's a princess and a spiritual leader.

She probably sleeps on a throne and only eats dewdrops and sunshine.

No way.

Stewed sea prunes. My favorite.

Is it good? What's it taste like?

Like...

like home.

Katara?

I just wanna say thanks for helping me get here.

I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

A world I wouldn't have seen if it wasn't for you.

So enjoying the food, are we?

It's delicious.

You say you were entirely self-taught.

Yes, I feel like I've come pretty far, but I still have so much to learn.

That's why I couldn't wait to get here to meet other Waterbenders

and especially esteemed masters like you.

It must've been difficult to grow up cut off from other benders.

The Fire Nation's attacks took so much from you.

From all of us.

The worst part was I... I couldn't do anything about it.

What's important is you survived.

That is what we do.

Water is the element of change.

And we Waterbenders have always adapted to the flow of life.

Tomorrow morning, go and find Yagoda.

She is one of our finest instructors, and she can start you on your journey.

Thank you, Master Pakku.

How about some cloudberries?

Here you go.

Thank you.

You can help me finish this.

Come on. It's pretty good.

What do you think?

It's delicious.

When I was a kid, I used to hide out here when my dad would meet with the elders.

He said he wanted me to see how things worked in the tribe

because, someday, it would be my responsibility.

Not very fun.

Hmm, so I'd hide out here with the grans and make dessert.

You are just a girl.

Did you think I wasn't a girl?

No, no, no. I just figured with you being a princess and all--

- That I was stuck up? - Yeah. I mean, no.

I mean, that's what I thought, but, no, you're ordinary.

Not ordinary, because that wouldn't be good,

and I think I should stop saying words now.

I get it.

I know out there I seem all...

but that's what they expect me to be.

Don't get me wrong. I love serving my community,

but every now and then, I just have to go somewhere and...

Make dessert?

No, I get it.

You know, back home, it was my duty to protect the village.

I took that seriously.

Katara would probably say too seriously, but the thing was--

It's your responsibility.

Yeah.

Yeah, and if I didn't do it,

who knows what could've happened.

You know, I made a promise to my dad, and I was gonna keep that no matter what.

But there are times it would've been nice to not have to worry.

Times I wish I could be...

Just a boy?

Yeah.

How do I know you?

Princess Yue.

They're ready for the evening blessing.

Thank you, Hahn.

You didn't have to leave the feast. One of the priests could've come.

It was no trouble at all.

Really.

Welcome to our ice wall.

It has withstood attacks for over a century.

Chief Arnook, if you don't mind,

I'd love to talk to our brother from the South. Some combat advice.

Me? You wanna ask me about fighting?

You have something none of us have.

Experience.

Tell me, Fire Nation armor. Is it metal?

The reference we have has spikes on the shoulders.

Uh, no metal. Leather.

And, uh, they don't have shoulder spikes anymore.

The rest of the platoon should hear this. Would you mind coming to talk to them?

Um, sure.

Great.

Tell me, Avatar Aang,

what do you think is the best approach to the coming battle?

Might I suggest you lead the offensive front?

You could spearhead an attack--

Actually, airbending is primarily a defensive discipline.

Our style is to evade and avoid conflict.

But you're not just an Airbender.

You're the Avatar.

Truth is, I haven't mastered any other bending.

But that's why I came here, hoping someone could teach me?

But we've heard stories of how you've saved communities,

defeated the Fire Nation platoons,

even battled monsters.

How were you able to do all that?

My friends help me.

We work together.

It would've been wise to have focused on your training

during your journey.

It seems we won't be able to count on the Avatar.

Water is life.

Water allows life to flourish.

And to heal.

Master Pakku told me we'd be having a special guest today.

Thank you for having me.

I'd heard stories of water healing,

but I didn't think it was still being practiced.

Oh, yes, it's a vital part of our culture.

Would you like to try it?

Feel the flow of energy through the body.

Connect that flow to the energy in yourself.

Healing...

is more than a physical process.

It's about empathy.

You must understand what it means to feel pain.

Then take that pain away.

You are a natural.

Thanks.

I've gotten good at picking things up quickly.

We had to think on our feet a lot.

Nothing to focus your mind like a fireball coming at your head.

Which reminds me. When do we get to fight training?

Excuse me?

I think my basic forms are pretty good, but I could use help

with accuracy and increasing power.

I'm sorry, but women don't fight.

We use our skills to heal, not to harm.

I don't want to just heal.

Healing is a noble and sacred tradition.

The highest of callings.

No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that.

It's just that... I think my skills lie more in combat.

So if it's okay, I'd like to train in fighting techniques.

In the Northern Water Tribe, women aren't allowed to fight.

Aren't allowed?

That's not right.

But that is our way.

Understood.

They seem like a good group.

We've trained them as best we can,

but none of them know what we're about to face.

None of them have seen real battle.

Hey, I'm sure they'll do great.

Especially with you leading them.

So...

Princess Yue.

She seems great.

Yue, she's dedicated, kind, generous.

She represents the highest ideals of our tribe. She is the best of us.

You like her.

Um...

The princess and I,

we were betrothed.

It was arranged by our parents when we were children, but when she turned 16,

she broke it off,

which is her prerogative.

Wow.

But she never gave a reason why.

So

you would've gone through with it?

You would've married her?

Thank you for coming to pay your respects to Avatar Kuruk.

I'm here to do a little bit more than that.

I'm hoping Kuruk can help me make a difference in this fight.

Is that a problem?

It's just been a long time since anyone went to Kuruk for anything.

The truth is, his memory has faded for most.

During his time as the Avatar, Kuruk didn't engage much with the world.

Some say he became enamored with the Spirit World

and spent most of his time there.

Unfortunately, that meant he wasn't around much

to help us deal with our problems.

So he didn't do his job as the Avatar.

He let everyone down.

I believe there must be more to his story.

I hope you're right because I need help,

and he's the only one who could possibly understand my situation.

Hello, Aang.

I see you made it to the North.

Yes, because the Northern Water Tribe's in danger.

Avatar Kyoshi showed me a vision

of Agna Qel'a being destroyed by the Fire Nation.

I need to stop that from happening.

You can't.

If she showed you the North being destroyed,

then it will happen.

But the battle's outcome is still uncertain.

Whether the Fire Nation prevails,

whether the Waterbenders survive,

all of that is up to you.

I'm just one kid.

No, you are the Avatar.

When I was at Kyoshi Island,

Avatar Kyoshi helped me unleash these incredible energies.

The Avatar State.

Yes! She said it gave me the strength of a thousand benders.

I can use that power to save the North.

But to gain control over it,

you need to first master the other disciplines.

Except she was able to take control.

She could channel the power through my body.

She was in control. You can do that.

That's not possible.

- Yes, it is. Kyoshi did it. - I'm not Kyoshi.

- But you still could! - No, I can't!

After I became the Avatar,

I discovered dark spirits were on the verge

of crossing over into our realm from the Spirit World.

I had to stop them,

so I spent my life fighting them.

The war I waged on the spirits

damaged my body and corrupted my soul.

In my condition,

I wouldn't be able to control the Avatar State

any more than you could.

And despite all my sacrifices,

I still couldn't save the one that mattered the most.

A predatory spirit came to seek vengeance on me.

Ummi, my beloved,

paid the ultimate price.

The spirit stole her face.

Koh. Listen to me, Aang.

The Avatar must walk alone,

or else the ones you love will suffer.

Oh, sorry. I was looking for Katara.

Oh.

I should get going.

Is something wrong?

No, I'm just

a little tired.

Mm. I guess you need to go and "recombobulate."

I knew it! It was you!

Yes. - You're the fox!

Yes.

But how?

Not long after I was born, I got very sick,

so my father pleaded with the spirits to save my life,

and... a miracle happened.

The Moon Spirit answered his prayer

and imbued me with some of its essence and restored my life.

That's the night my hair changed color.

So you're a spirit?

Part spirit, mostly human.

Being of both worlds has meant that I can be a bridge between the two.

That's why I became a priestess,

is to help people connect with their spirituality.

It also means I have the ability to visit the Spirit World

in my dreams.

So you pop over there just for fun?

Wouldn't you?

It's magical.

Not quite the word I would use.

You didn't like it?

What's not to like?

Nearly being mauled by a spirit monster

or getting my face eaten by a predator or reliving the most painful memories--

Painful?

It was nothing.

Never mind.

Don't do that.

Don't make it less than what it is.

It was something that happened when I was a kid.

I overheard my dad saying he was disappointed in me.

That I wasn't cut out to be a warrior.

That he didn't believe in me.

Do you know what I remember about you from the Spirit World?

You were worried about your friends.

You knew they were in trouble, and you had to help them.

Your heart.

That's what sets you apart.

That's what makes you a warrior.

I have a feeling if your father saw you now, he would agree.

I need to know something.

Why did you turn down Hahn?

Hahn is wonderful.

He is everything that a girl could want.

But he is not the boy of my dreams.

My friends mean everything to me.

I can't do this without them. It's how I made it this far.

And with their help is how I'll make it through this battle.

We're Team Avatar.

There is no Team Avatar.

There is only the Avatar.

Stop thinking about what you need,

and think about what's best for them.

Being the Avatar means being the one who bears the burden.

...alone.

I made... a carving this out.

A bear!

Uh, actually, it's a fish.

See? It has a fin.

Oh.

Hey, so did you talk to Kuruk?

Was he able to help?

No, he couldn't help me.

I'm on my own.

Ah, Katara, how was your time with Yagoda?

Great, but I wanted to ask.

Where will I be stationed during the battle?

Women aren't allowed in combat. I thought you knew.

No, I didn't. I wouldn't have accepted it if I did.

It's not a matter of accepting anything. It's how things are done.

It's stupid, and it's wrong.

This is not up for debate.

I've been fighting Firebenders ever since I left home.

Can any of your men say that?

- Doesn't matter. - Why not?

This isn't about them. It's about you.

You're not strong enough. Women aren't strong enough.

You haven't been training and preparing to lay down your life for everyone here.

And I'm not going to let what happened to the Southern Tribe happen here.

They won't let me fight.

They've been stuck behind this wall for so long,

they've become frozen in time.

Maybe we should talk to Yue.

- Or maybe-- - Maybe we should listen to them.

Maybe it's better if you didn't fight.

This battle, it'll be like nothing we've ever faced before.

People are gonna get hurt and die.

I can't lose you and Sokka.

Aang, you're not gonna lose us.

But just the thought I could is gonna hold me back.

These people need the Avatar.

And I can't be the Avatar with you around.

I wonder what they'll call me when the news reaches Capital City.

I quite like "Zhao the Conqueror." It should have some flair.

Admiral, if I understand these battle plans,

you are attempting a frontal assault on Agna Qel'a.

The city is surrounded by impassable barriers on three sides.

Its front is protected by an ice wall.

What makes you think you can succeed when so many others have failed?

Because I have something none of the others had.

I have destiny on my side.

Despite what our propaganda would have you believe,

the Waterbenders are neither weak nor cowardly.

Underestimating them will lead to tragic consequences.

That won't happen.

For one thing, the fleet has been outfitted with new, deadlier weapons,

but... more importantly...

I have personally made arrangements

to ensure our victory.

What is that?

This...

this is destiny.

He's attacking the fortress head-on, like a bull in heat.

There may be more, but he's keeping it to himself.

I fear I've underestimated Zhao. He's more dangerous than I thought.

Yeah, I figured that out

as I was swimming away from the burning wreck of my boat.

We've almost reached the North. Have you got a plan yet?

A plan?

The plan is to prove my father wasn't wrong

to trust me with this mission.

The plan is to go in and capture the Avatar once and for all.

The plan is to reclaim what's rightfully mine!

So no plan?

I'm working on it, Uncle.

I'm still surprised by Zhao's boldness.

I'd have thought it beyond him.

It's almost as if he's working with someone else.

Someone much smarter.

Choose your opponent.

No.

- You must select one-- - No, I'm done.

- Azula, stop playing games. - I'm not the one playing games.

This is your last chance. Fight or fail.

No.

You dare!

Ha!

You wanna test me?

Set me loose.

Let me go into the world and show you what I can really do.

I'm through playing games here.

Hmm.

Look, Pakku's an idiot.

It doesn't matter what other people think.

It doesn't matter if Dad didn't think I'd be a great warrior,

but I can still be great in some way.

The point is, I get to decide,

just like you get to decide who you are. Not Pakku or anyone else.

I'm gonna challenge Pakku to fight.

I know. He's a master.

He's probably gonna mop the floor with me, but it doesn't matter.

All my life, I've held myself back,

and I'm not gonna let someone else do it to me now.

Katara.

Remember at the Southern Air Temple when you said we had to go with Aang?

That we had to help him save the world?

You were right.

If we hadn't gone with him,

I wouldn't have seen how two kids from the Southern Water Tribe

can measure up to anyone.

Firebenders, Earthbenders, spirit creatures,

even strapping, young Northern Water Tribe Warriors--

Sokka, if you're trying to talk sense into me, you're not doing a very good job.

Sense? Who's talking sense?

No, what I'm trying to tell you is...

go kick his ass.

What's going on? I'm not going to fight you.

Because you're afraid of what you might learn. That you're wrong.

Please.

Go back to the healing huts with the other women.

Whoa!

Fine. You wanna learn how to fight?

Study closely.

Had enough?

Is that all you got?

I'll say this.

You're an excellent Waterbender.

But you still won't let me fight.

No.

No one's pushed Master Pakku like that.

That was incredible. Those ice disks. How did you do that?

Can you show me?

Well, I doubt anyone's gonna say you're not strong enough now.

No, they'll just say I lost.

Did you?

You said you're afraid of losing us, and that's why we can't stay by your side,

but it's my decision to fight,

not Pakku's and not yours.

Yeah. Do you think we came here just to leave you on your own?

Silly Avatar.

I don't know if I can protect you.

You can't.

Yeah, and worrying about who will or won't get hurt,

it's not just the Avatar who has to deal with that.

That's what it means to be a family.

Kuruk, Roku, Kyoshi.

They all said that I need to do this by myself.

The Avatar must bear the burden alone.

This is the past.

Now, only one person can tell you the future.

The person who'll write The Legend of Aang.

She means you. You got that, right?

Soot.

The Fire Nation's here.

Okay.

Time to fight.

We're under attack!

Attack!

Watch out, Katara! There's a new group coming in starboard side.

Aang, contain the soldiers at the front.

I got some things to take care of. Appa, yip yip!

Come on. Let's go.

Let's go!

Hyah!

Hyah!

Nice job, troops. Those flame heads aren't going anywhere.

Thanks to your plan.

And some kick-ass teamwork.

One ship down.

How many more to go?

You gotta be kidding me.

The wall is impenetrable and heavily guarded.

The surrounding cliffs are hundreds of feet high. Impossible to scale.

I know you think I'm being reckless, but Zhao has cornered the Avatar,

and he's not gonna stop until he has him, so neither can I.

One way or another, this is where my journey ends.

Search the coastline for fissures,

signs of warm water outflows from the city.

They could provide a pathway inside.

Uncle...

Lu Ten would have been proud...

to have you as his father.

Remember your Breath of Fire. It could save your life out there.

We'll meet again.

After... I have the Avatar.

Just forget about engaging them at sea.

Even with all of your benders on all of your boats,

their numbers are just too great.

Then we make our stand here.

How far away are they?

They'll probably be in range in an hour. Two, tops.

We need to call the patrols home.

Shore up the defensive lines.

Thank you.

This is bad, isn't it?

They mean business, but so do we. I'd say it's 50-50.

60-40.

Where are you going?

To even the odds.

Forgive me, Admiral, but I'm confused.

You're wondering why the command ship isn't leading the attack.

It does seem an unusual strategy.

Weren't you the one who pointed out a frontal assault on the Waterbenders

would be fruitless?

Well, yes, but--

So it would make sense to attack on multiple fronts.

Open a new front? With one ship?

One ship, but not one vessel.

Fire Nation engineers created this?

Oh, this isn't our work.

No, this comes courtesy of our spies in Omashu.

This is just a prototype.

Even if you use this to bypass Agna Qel'a's main defenses,

it's far too small to carry any kind of significant fighting force.

You, of all people, should know

that victory doesn't always depend on the numbers,

but it should get the job done.

Job? What job?

Fire!

Incoming!

Hurry!

Ice shields now!

- I'm here to help. - Now is not the time, Katara.

Now is exactly the time!

Thought I made myself clear. Women are not allowed in combat.

I thought I showed you how stupid that is. Forget your pride.

This is about the survival of the Waterbenders,

and you need all the help you can get.

You know we can make a difference.

"We"?

All they want is what you want.

A chance to defend their home.

Pakku, what good is it relying on the past when it stops us from having a future?

Get... get over yourself, you old fool, and let us get the job done!

Western side of the wall needs reinforcement.

You can help them repair the damage

and see if their warriors need any other assistance.

The entire city will be in range soon.

If the Firebenders breach the wall, you'll be the first line of defense.

We'll be ready.

Yue!

I'm not going to hide while everyone is risking their lives.

- Listen to me. - No.

You have to stop being overprotective.

Yue,

if anything should happen to me,

you must take over.

You are the future of the Northern Water Tribe.

My daughter.

My gift.

Sokka.

I need you to go with Yue

and help her move the people away from the wall.

But most importantly,

make sure the princess stays safe.

I swear I won't leave her side.

Sokka.

Take care of her.

Come on!

We're here to help.

- Master Pakku told us to report to you. - Pakku sent you to me?

He told us to help you in any way we can.

We haven't finished our training yet, but... we'll try our best.

You can start by reinforcing that section.

If you spot incoming fireballs, don't try to take them on yourself.

- Let me know. - Yes, Master Katara.

What? I'm not a...

Admiral, the Waterbenders draw their strength from the moon,

and on a night like tonight, their powers will be at their peak.

I suggest you pause the attack until daybreak.

No.

I have been studying up on matters beyond this realm,

which is why I know that that isn't just any moon.

It's the Ice Moon,

a rare cosmic event.

The barriers between the physical and spirit worlds

grow thin... on this night.

When I received the Fire Lord's orders to conquer the North,

I knew brute force wasn't gonna be enough.

I needed an edge.

Nothing.

Just a bunch of mumbo jumbo about lion turtles

and cosmic balance and push and pull.

And yet there is wisdom to be gleaned from the old tales.

Agna Qel'a... is built on the site of the ancestral home of the water tribe,

an oasis deep in the ice

that provided warmth and nourishment for their people in the harsh environment.

It was from this oasis

that the tribe looked up to the sky

and learned to waterbend

by watching the moon push and pull the tides.

And so the Waterbenders believe

their lives come from the spirit of the ocean,

while their powers come from the spirit of the moon.

These same spirits give up their immortality

for one night every year to be among the Waterbenders.

They take physical form and become part of the mortal world.

They appear in this world?

In order to better understand

the balance between light and darkness,

yin and yang,

life...

And death.

Zhao, you're not thinking of tampering with the Spirit World, are you?

Are you?

Aang.

Aang.

Aang.

Avatar Kuruk?

I've come to warn you.

My knife is near. I can sense it.

Knife?

One created with materials from the Spirit World.

And if it has returned to the North, it can only mean one thing.

You're going to kill the ocean and moon spirits?

Of course not.

Killing the ocean spirit

would deprive Waterbenders around the world of their lives.

Men, women, children.

I'm not a monster.

No.

I'm only gonna kill the moon.

Zhao cannot be allowed to meddle with the primal forces of nature.

In doing so, he will throw the entire world out of balance.

The Avatar's power is great,

but it pales before the power of the elemental spirits.

There you are.

When I didn't see you up there, I got worried.

Help! I'm coming!

Are you okay?

We need to find Sokka and Yue. Something terrible is about to happen.

Everyone, head to the palace!

You'll be safer there.

Hey, it's okay.

You're okay.

Are you okay? I'm okay.

Thank you.

Good job, Momo. You actually made yourself useful...

Momo?

Is he--

Alive?

Barely.

Here.

Come with me. I can help him. We don't have much time.

Where are we?

It's the most sacred spot in the North.

The waters that feed this grove are heated by the earth.

Here, give him to me.

This is where the priest brought me when I was sick.

To the source of all spiritual energy in our land.

Momo!

You dumb dummy. Don't scare me like that.

Thank you.

Sokka, what is that?

Something that shouldn't be here.

It's a war balloon.

A war balloon?

Stolen from Omashu.

From what I can tell, this one's not designed for combat, just transport.

How do you know that?

Because I helped design the thing.

The sage didn't know

the precise form the ocean and moon spirits will take,

and that, General, is... where you come in.

Since you're so well-versed in spiritual matters,

I need your help identifying them.

I have no idea what to look for.

This isn't like trying to find a lost puppy.

They could appear as a pair of trees in a grove or insects on a blade of grass.

Well, we won't know until we start looking, right?

General Iroh, either you help me find the spirits

or watch as I burn this whole place to the ground.

Can Avatar Kuruk protect the spirits?

No, but I know where we need to go.

Avatar!

There's nowhere left to run.

Zuko, listen to me. We need to stop Zhao.

This isn't about Zhao. This is about us! And you're coming with me now!

Go.

Stop Zhao.

I'll deal with him.

Go easy.

Enough people have been hurt already.

I don't care.

I wasn't talking to you.

You've learned some new tricks,

but I didn't come this far to lose to you.

You little peasant!

You found a master, haven't you?

Yes. You're looking at her.

We got company.

Keep moving.

We need to stop Zhao.

He's trying to kill the ocean and moon spirits.

He can't. That would mean the end of our people.

We can't let that happen.

Push and pull. Yin and yang.

Yes...

Yes!

Zhao,

the power of the spirits is not to be trifled with.

Without the moon, the world will be thrown out of balance,

and chaos will be unleashed.

Even Ozai wouldn't want that.

Ozai lacks vision.

He's so fixated on the games he's playing with his family,

he can't see the bigger picture.

Zhao, whatever you do to that spirit, I'll unleash on you tenfold!

Spare me your empty threats.

This can still work out for you, Iroh.

Once I take my place as the new Fire Lord, you can stand by my side.

Your presence will lend legitimacy to my claim.

The Dragon of the West can rise again.

As long as he bows...

before Zhao,

the Moon Slayer!

I am a legend now!

They will tell stories about me!

For generations. Zhao the Moon Slayer.

Zhao!

You're too late, Avatar.

Zhao, don't.

No matter what you think, this isn't power.

No?

Do you realize what I can do?

I can wipe out an entire race of benders.

Can you imagine what that's like?

Yes.

I can.

You wanna rule the world, but if you do this,

there won't be a world to rule.

So release the spirit, and I'll go with you... peacefully.

You think anyone cares about you?

How much of a threat will the Avatar be once I eliminate waterbending

from the world?

Master of Three Elements

doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it?

Let's face it. You don't matter anymore.

Actually, I'm not sure you ever did!

You're right.

I don't matter.

The world needed the Avatar...

and I failed.

Touching.

Not that I care.

Yue!

What's happening?

I can't bend!

I can't bend!

Warriors, the city has been breached!

Get out!

Fall back!

Fall back! Fall back!

We're almost there.

Go! We'll cover your retreat.

The moon is gone.

There's no hope now.

It's over.

Being the Avatar means putting your duties above all else, even your life!

The Avatar has to make the impossible choices,

placing the world's needs ahead of your needs.

The Avatar's power is great,

but it pales before the power of the elemental spirits.

No.

It's not over.

Aang, don't do this.

You'll be lost forever.

I should have been lost a hundred years ago.

This isn't my time or my world.

I couldn't save my world, but I can save this one.

Run!

What...

what just happened?

Aang has given himself over to the ocean spirit,

allowing it to channel its rage through him

and access the power of the Avatar.

We've gotta reach him.

No, you don't understand.

There is no Aang anymore.

Yue!

Zuko!

Thank the spirits you're alive!

Uncle, what... what is that?

That...

that is Wrath.

- The Avatar! - There is no Avatar.

Not anymore.

- We must go! - No. No.

Zuko, we must! - We can't.

We must!

Aang.

Fire!

Zuko, don't!

Let me go.

He's a small man who's gonna meet a small end.

He took everything from me.

Zhao!

You're alive.

Traitor.

Coward!

You ruined everything! The Avatar was mine. My mission was--

Your mission

was a sham.

Did you really think the Fire Lord was gonna take you back?

Ozai was playing with you.

It was all a game.

And the winner is the one without the scar from Daddy.

Ozai was just using you

as motivation for your sister.

You lie.

You're lying! Admit it, you're lying!

Who do you think was my ally... through all this?

Who convinced the Fire Lord to send me the Yuyan archers?

Who identified the Blue Spirit's swords as yours?

Azula told me everything I needed to know.

You are the fire

in which her iron was forged.

That's all you were.

Come, nephew.

What is it?

Come! We must go! Go!

Fire!

Is it dead?

No! No! No!

Aang!

Aang!

Aang!

It's over!

Please come back!

Aang is lost.

All that's left is a vengeful spirit

who will roam endlessly looking for its partner

but will never find it.

The world will be forever out of balance.

There must be something we can do. Some way to bring the moon back to life.

Sokka.

Thank you.

Yue, what are you doing?

I was touched by the moon spirit as a child, so I have its life within me.

It's time for me to give it back.

This isn't a sad thing.

Do you know why the ocean and moon spirits

take physical form for a night?

It's because they wanna know what it is to be mortal.

It's worth the risk to be alive.

Even for just one night.

Especially for one night.

Just please come back!

Aang, don't be an idiot!

You're not just the Avatar. You're my family!

This is your world! This is your home! We are your family!

Aang!

Yue, please. Please don't!

No! No!

Please, you don't have to do this!

Yue, no. No.

No.

No.

Yue!

Aang,

listen to me.

I know you think you don't belong in this world,

but you were never meant to die a hundred years ago.

If you had,

you wouldn't be here now, and the world needs you.

I need you.

So much destruction.

Hahn.

I'm sorry I couldn't protect her.

My daughter always made her own choices.

And that was not something you

or anyone could have stopped.

She sacrificed herself for all of us.

Me...

I watched it happen.

I stood on the sidelines while others fought and died,

being the warrior I could never be.

Sokka, in a moment when she must have been scared,

you made sure she wasn't alone.

You don't have to be a warrior

to be a hero.

I thought I'd never see the light of a new day,

but the sun rises, and the water tribe is still here.

So much was lost.

Yes, but we'll rebuild, and we'll emerge stronger.

Do you remember how I told you water is the element of change?

I'd forgotten what that truly meant.

Change is the key to new life.

You reminded me of that,

and I'm deeply grateful that you did.

You know, there's a whole new generation of Waterbenders who will need training.

We could use your help.

Thanks.

But Aang still has a journey to complete, and so do I.

After all, the Avatar still has to learn waterbending.

In that case, he couldn't have asked for a better master.

Hmm. For you.

What is it?

Water from our oasis.

A reminder of what we've gone through

and an invitation to return

anytime.

Lieutenant Jee would have known to stay out of the worst of the battle.

He and the crew may be looking for us right now.

What do you think, Prince Zuko?

What do you want to do?

I don't know.

I'm tired.

Then you should rest.

A man needs his rest.

I caused this.

No, the Fire Nation did.

Because I failed to be the Avatar.

How do I do this without causing so much pain?

Aang, this is war.

There's going to be losses. There's going to be pain.

None of that is your fault.

And the Firebenders aren't giving up.

We have to prepare for whatever they throw at us next.

And so stop worrying about the past,

and start thinking about what you still have to do.

I think I understand something Gyatso was trying to tell me.

He told me let go of the past, or I'll never have a future.

That's right.

You're gonna learn waterbending, and I'm gonna make sure of that.

And then earthbending...

Which means back to Omashu.

So,

anyone else hungry?

Why is everything always about your stomach?

- Because that's where his brain is. - Oh, says the kid with the melon head.

Ooh, I could go for a melon.

See? Food is always the right answer.

Just gotta listen to Sokka.

Agna Qel'a took heavy damage,

but our forces were unable to take the city.

Also, it seems the Avatar remains alive and free.

Pity.

But not unexpected.

Conquering the North was always an unlikely proposition.

If that was the case, then why attack the North at all?

Distraction.

The North was never the true target.

For the first time in a century,

Omashu is ours.

Now only Ba Sing Se stands between us

and the total conquest of the Earth Kingdom.

A brilliant strategy,

but was the Fire Lord aware

Prince Zuko was among the forces at Agna Qel'a?

The loss of life among our troops was substantial.

If Zuko is strong, he'll survive.

If not...

sometimes you have to sacrifice the weak

to keep yourself strong.

Omashu

is ours!

For the Fire Nation!

Fire Nation!

So...

what's next?

Measuring the movements of the heavens has always proven difficult,

but we have devised a method to better understand celestial motion.

It's taken a hundred years,

but the time finally draws near.

When? Soon.

We shall see the return

of Sozin's Comet.