Avatar Metal Lightening

8/18/2019 Avatar Metal Lightening

1/31

Avatar

The Last Airbender

Show #401

Book four: Metal and LighteningChapter one: The Bridge

Written by

Alverne Ball

Alverne [email protected] Registered


2/31

ACT 1

EXT. FIRE NATION ROYAL PALACE - NIGHT

The night is clear and all seems peaceful throughout the fire

nation.

INT. FIRE NATION ROYAL PALACE - ZUKO’S CHAMBER - NIGHT

Zuko lies asleep in his bed, but by his facial expressions wecan tell that all is not peaceful in his dreams. He shiftsand turns, as if trying to throw off some invisible demon andright before he startles awake we hear the voice of his

mother say...

URSA (V.O.)

All I have done has been for you, my son.

ZUKO(sweating and panting)

Mother!

Zuko is covered in sweat and he looks more like the oldvengeful Zuko as he narrows his eyes and whispers...

ZUKO (CONT’D)Father.

INT. FIRE NATION PRISON - NIGHT

Zuko is dressed in his royal Fire Nation clothing. Mostnoticeable is the FIRE NATION CROWN upon is head. He exudesconfidence as he makes his way through the corridor towardshis father’s cell. Fire nation guards address him with theproper salutation.

As Zuko nears the door to his father’s cell he turns to theguard on duty.

ZUKOOpen the door.

GUARD #1Of course Fire Lord Zuko.


3/31

The guard opens the door and the light from the outside iscast into the room as the silhouette that covers the formerFIRE LORD slowly starts to crawl up his body until we reveala crazy-haired OZAI with a demented expression on his faceand his arms chained to a wall.

OZAIHello, son, come to have a chat with your father?

ZUKO(to guard)

Leave us and have the entirecorridor evacuated.

The guard bows and does as Fire Lord Zuko has commanded ofhim.

GUARD #1

Yes, Fire Lord Zuko

Zuko enters the room. He BLOWS fire from his mouth andlights the torches on the wall. It’s a telling sign thathe’s learned how to consume fire like his Uncle Iroh.

OZAIAhh, Fire Lord Zuko, I see you’restill trying to be me. How hasthat been going?

ZUKOI’ll never be you!

OZAIAnd yet you have me chained to a

wall like a prisoner of war.

ZUKOBetter a prisoner than a slave.

Beat.

Ozai rolls his head around to work the muscles in his neck.

OZAIWhat do you want?

ZUKOWhere is she?

OZAIWho? Your sister Azula? I thoughtyou’d know better than I, afterall, you imprisoned her, too.

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ZUKODo not play with me. You know whoI’m talking about. Where is my

mother?

OZAI

I haven’t the slightest idea.

ZUKOArgh!

Zuko becomes angry and extends a hand as if he might firebend and kill his father.

OZAI(unflinching)

Yes, do it, end this misery thatyou call compassion.

Zuko’s hand lights up and FLARES WITH FIRE, but then herealizes killing his father will not bring back his mother.

ZUKONo, hatred is not the way.

OZAIIt is the only way!

ZUKOIt is not what she would have

wanted of me.

OZAIThen you are as weak as she was.

Zuko drops his hand and turns his back on his father. We cansee Ozai slightly smile, enjoying this little banter with hisson.

OZAI (CONT’D)I do enjoy your frequent visits,Zuko, maybe next time around we canstart off with a differentquestion.

ZUKOThere won’t be next time. Sinceyou refuse to talk to me I’ve sentfor someone that you might like totalk to.

Zuko opens the cell door and steps out into the hall. We’relooking at him from Ozai’s perspective so we don’t know whohe’s talking to.

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ZUKO (CONT’D)(to stranger)

He’s all yours. Do whatever you want with him.

From the outer cell door a stranger in a dark cloak enters

the cell. Ozai is not afraid of anything, but even he has to wonder who could Zuko have brought in to make him talk?

The stranger closes the door behind him and then walks alittle closer towards Ozai before he removes his hoodrevealing him to be IROH.

IROH(smiling)

Hello, brother. It has been a longtime.

SUDDENLY we hear Ozai SCREAM OUT Zuko’s name as Zuko walks

down the corridor with a smile on his face.

OZAIZukoooooo!

EXT. BOILING ROCK - NIGHT

The prison is still operational, but at this time of night itis in lock down.

INT. BOILING ROCK - COLD CELL - NIGHT

We find Azula in a large cold room, much like a walk infreezer. There is a small space where a heater shines downon her bed to give her warmth, but other than that she isconfined to the cold. More so to protect the guards fromher. Azula holds in her hand a small FLAME. She talks to itas if it were alive.

AZULA One day we’ll burn this prison tothe ground, Mr. Fire, and then

we’ll take our rightful place as

Fire Lords. Yes, we will, yes we will.

Azula hears the guards unlocking the door. She quicklyextinguishes the fire in her hand and sits up on her bed witha SMILE, which is so not Azula.

Zuko enters the room dressed as the Fire Lord we’ve come toknow. Azula drops the smile.

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AZULA (CONT’D)Oh, it’s you, zu-zu.

ZUKOIt’s Fire Lord Zuko now, Azula.

AZULA (matter-of-factly)Oh yes, I forgot. Please forgive

me, Fire Lord Zu-Zu.

Zuko frowns, ready to argue with his sister but realizes thisis exactly what she wants and instead he takes a deep breathand re-centers himself.

AZULA (CONT’D)You’re no fun anymore, Zu-zu. Whathappened to that fiery temper ofyours?

ZUKOI gave it up for peace.

AZULA Peace. You could have been the sonof the Phoenix King, maybe even thePhoenix King yourself one day.

ZUKO(shakes his head.)

No, that was not my destiny.

AZULA Destiny is what you make of it, Zu-zu, and you gave it all up. Youtraded in our nation’s progress insearch of something far less

meaningful, such as peace, when youcould have ruled the world!

ZUKOAnd yet here we are. Brother andsister. Bound by destiny, andthat’s why I've come to ask for

your help in finding mom.Azula clutches her hands into fist and steam begins to waftup from her head.

AZULA Why would I want to help you findher? She loved you more than shedid me. She gave up everything foryou!

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ZUKONo, she loved us both. But I’masking for your help because she

was our mother and we both need hernow more than ever.

AZULA I don’t need anyone!

ZUKOWe all need someone, Azula. Ifthere is one thing I've learned,even fire needs to be kindled everyonce in while.

INT. FIRE NATION PRISON - OZAI’S CELL - NIGHT.

Iroh has taken a seat on the floor of the cell and is brewing

a pot of green tea. Ozai is now released from his shacklesand sits across from him, disgruntled, but none-the-less freeof his chains.

IROHIf I recall, brother, you’re moreof a Saki drinker than Tea.

OZAIYes, but if I recall green tea hasalways been something of ahereditary taste with men in thisfamily.

IROHOhhh, you are right, brother, butit would seem that like you, Zukodoes not have a taste for teaeither.

OZAI(blunt)

What is it that you want of me,Iroh?

IROHTo talk, and to share a cup of this magnificent tea that I have broughtfrom Ba Sing Se.

OZAIPlease, do not mention that

wretched place to me.

Iroh pours two cups of tea and hands one to Ozai.

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IROHDrinking tea like this reminds meof when we were kids.

-- FLASHBACK--

To the fire nation royal garden. It is a beautiful andspacious garden with a pond full of tiger lilies andJasmines. There’s a GAZEBO where we find FIRE LORD AZULON,and a younger version of Iroh and Ozai sitting at a tableenjoying tea. Both boys have their elbows on the table

YOUNG IROHWhen I’m fire lord I’m going topenetrate the great walls of BaSing Se and end the war forever.

AZULON

By the time you are Fire Lord there will be no Ba Sing Se to conquer.

YOUNG OZAIBut if Ba Sing Se is no more what

will be left for us to conquer?

AZULONThere will always be new lands toconquer and those less-deserving torule over.

Fire Lord Azulon produces a bamboo stick from behind his

back.

AZULON (CONT’D)Now back to the Lesson. Whendrinking tea, proper fire nationedict calls for no elbows on thetable.

He whacks both boys on the hands as they quickly take theirarms off the table.

YOUNG IROH

Awww.YOUNG OZAI

Awww.

INT. FIRE NATION PRISON - OZAI’S CELL - NIGHT.

Iroh and Ozai seem at ease with one another as they bothcherish the memory for very different reasons.

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IROHOur father was wrong.

OZAIYes, and so were you. You neverdid become Fire Lord nor did you

conquer Ba Sing Se.

IROHThat may be true. But I found thatsome things were just moreimportant in the world.

(beat)Speaking of which, how did youbecome Fire Lord, brother, when it

was clearly my birthright?

INT. BOILING ROCK - AZULA’S COLD CELL - NIGHT

Azula moves from her bed and is clearly cold from thetemperature of her room. Zuko is awaiting her answer.

AZULA You know you’re starting to soundlike uncle Iroh, Zu-zu.

Beat.

AZULA (CONT’D)(shaking from the cold)

Tell you what. If you promise to

relocate me to somewhere a little warmer I’ll tell you what I knowabout mom’s disappearance.

ZUKOYou know I can’t do that, Azula.Within a week you’d take over theprison and I don’t need an uprisinglike the one you created in Ba SingSe.

Azula moves over to her brother and gives him her devious

SMILE.AZULA

I promise Fire Lord Zuko that I won’t do such a thing. I’ll be on my best behavior.

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ZUKO(considering Azula’s plea)

I’ll think about it, but first I want to hear what you know.

Azula moves back to sit on her bed where it’s warm. She

produces a large blue flame in her palm.

AZULA Very well, but the story I'm aboutto tell you is for your ears aloneand must never be uttered to asingle soul.

ZUKOFine. Just get on with it.

AZULA It all started the night we

performed for Grandfather.

We move in closer to the fire as it grows within Azula’shand. And then we

FADE TO WHITE:

FADE IN.

--FLASHBACK--

INT. FIRE NATION ROYAL PALACE - FIRE LORD AZULON’S THRONE

ROOM.

This scene takes place during the “Zuko Alone” episode in which Azula and Zuko have hidden away behind a curtain afterthey were dismissed by Fire Lord Azulon. At this point Azulais the only one that remains behind the curtain after Zukoruns off.

We focus on Ozai kneeling before his father who sits on the

throne. The fires of the chamber rage high and burn brightand we see why so many fear Fire Lord Azulon.

AZULON(pointing to Ozai)

You dare suggest I betray Iroh? Myfirst born. Directly after thedemise of his only beloved son?

9.

(MORE)


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I think Iroh has suffered enough,but you...your punishment hasscarcely begun!

Beat.

OZAIAm I not your son, also?

AZULONEnough! You have disappointed me,Ozai, I would have thought that youunderstood that discipline is theonly measure of a true Fire Lord.

OZAII am as much an heir to this throneas Iroh, Father. But know that Iam ready to carry on where Iroh

left off and end this siege of BaSing Sa once and for all.

Azulon LEAPS from his throne, showing him to be not as old as we would have thought. He hovers over his son.

AZULONAre you implying that my decisionto make your brother general in thesiege of Ba Sing Se was a fault?

Ozai is clearly afraid of his father. This is the first timethat we see that he’s frightened.

OZAINo, father, I did not mean anydisrespect by it. I simply meantthat with Iroh now in mourning ofhis son’s death the fire nation

will need a new general to take upthe campaign.

Azulon grabs Ozai by the collar.

AZULON

And you think that you are thatgeneral?

OZAIYes, I know it.

AZULONVery well, Ozai, you shall haveyour chance to prove that you loveour great nation as much as I do.

10.

AZULON (CONT'D)


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Azulon releases his son and starts to walk towards the flamesthat guard his throne.

AZULON (CONT’D)If you wish to prove your worth asthe next fire lord then you will

sacrifice your greatest love andprove to me that our great nationcomes before all.

OZAIWhat do you mean, father?

Azulon stops and looks over his shoulder before walking intothe large, blazing flames.

AZULONYou will have to take the life ofsomeone within your immediate

family, possibly a first born son, maybe.

On Azula with a evil smirk on her face.

YOUNG AZULA Zu-Zu.

INT. ZUKO’S ROOM.

This scene takes place from the “Zuko Alone” episode afterAzula has told Zuko that his father plans to kill him. Young

Zuko is sitting up in bed and Azula is sitting next to him

YOUNG ZUKODad would never do that to me.

CUT TO:

INT. BOILING ROCK - AZULA’S COLD CELL - NIGHT

A CU on Zuko mouthing the words he once mouth as a kid.

ZUKODad would never-

On Azula smiling mischievously as she stares into the fire.

AZULA I know, Zu-Zu, hard to believe.What was that about Fire needingkindling sometime?

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End Act 1

Act 2

INT. FIRE NATION PRISON - OZAI’S CELL - NIGHT

Iroh and Ozai continue to drink tea. At this point we seethat Ozai is doing firebending stances but he can’t produceany fire.

IROHAnd so you planned to kill Zuko toappease father.

OZAINever. I could never kill off mybloodline. Sacrificing Zuko wasonly a suggestion, but when Ursa

heard of my father’s decree sheoffered herself in Zuko’s place.

Iroh sits down his tea. He’s shocked to think his brothercould have killed his wife.

IROHI never thought a story over teacould make me not enjoy it, butthis one is not meant for suchdelicate tastes.

OZAI

Neither was the news when I toldfather that I had-

FLASH CUT TO

INT. FIRE NATION ROYAL PALACE - AZULON’S THRONE ROOM.

Ozai is kneeling before his father’s throne. Fire LordAzulon listens to his son with vague attention.

OZAI

Father I have done as you haveasked.

AZULONReally...? So you have killed youronly son?

OZAIWell not exactly.

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AZULONAnd what is that suppose to mean?

OZAII-I could not find it in myself tokill my blood and so I have

banished my wife, Ursa, from thefire nation forever.

AZULON(laughing)

Do you think your simple act hasappeased my orders? You are weak,Ozai. You will never be a trueFire Lord.

OZAIBut-

AZULONBegone before I forget you are myson.

OZAIAs you wish, father.

Ozai bows his head and leaves the throne room. We focus onthe curtain where Azula hid earlier and find that she hasreturned to her hiding spot and has watched the events ofthis night unfold. She is clearly angry.

YOUNG AZULA

(whisper)You are not meant to be called FireLord anymore, Grandfather.

INT. BOILING ROCK - AZULA’S COLD CELL - NIGHT.

Zuko is now sitting on Azula’s bed looking down at his hands.Azula is sitting next to him.

ZUKOAnd all this time I thought you had

lied.AZULA

Don’t be so dramatic, Zu-zu, fathercouldn't find it in himself to killyou so he banished mother from thefire nation.

Zuko looks at Azula.

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ZUKOWhere is she?

AZULA That’s going to cost you, Zu-Zu,and right now this room is feeling

very cold.

That’s it! Zuko is done being nice. He FIRES a ball of fireat Azula who blocks it and returns a fist full of flame thatZuko blocks. The two go at it (think little kids passingtaps back and forth)realizing that if they leave the smallheated space that firebending will be hard to do.

Finally a slot in the door of Azula’s cell opens up and the warden of the prison yells in.

WARDENNo fire bending allowed!

Zuko and Azula quickly sink down in their seats like smallchildren and return to being brother and sister.

AZULA Listen, Zu-Zu, I’ll tell you wherefather sent her, but you have topromise me one thing.

Zuko turns and looks at his sister with those eyes of mistrust he’s so easily known for.

ZUKO

What’s that?

AZULA If you find her...can you ask her

why she didn’t take us with her.

Zuko slightly smiles.

ZUKOSure. I think I can ask her that.Now where is she?

AZULA I don’t know exactly, but I knowthat father banished mother to theforbidden lands of Terra Escura.

ZUKOWhat’s Terra Escura? I’ve neverheard of it.

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AZULA And you won’t- at least not byanyone that’s living. There’s onlyone person that’s been to TerraEscura and come back alive.

ZUKOWho?

CU of Azula giving Zuko her trade mark devious smile.

AZULA Uncle Iroh of course.

EXT. FIRE NATION ROYAL PALACE - PAST

We hear Ozai call out to Azula.

OZAIAzula why?

INT. FIRE NATION ROYAL PALACE - AZULON’S THRONE ROOM.

Young Azula with a crazed look in her eyes is standing over adead Fire Lord Azulon with white foam coming out of his

mouth, next to Azulon is a tea cup and we can tell by theexpression on the dead man’s face that he has been poisoned.

Ozai goes to his daughter and kneels down in front of her.

OZAIWhy did you do it?

YOUNG AZULA (tears streaming down herface)

Because he doesn’t deserve to beFire Lord, Daddy. Now you can beFire Lord and you can bring momback.

Ozai embraces his daughter. It’s the first time we’ve ever

seen him show an expression of love.OZAI

Yes, Fire Lord I shall become, but we can never bring your mother backfrom Terra Escura for what has beendone has been done, my child.

FADE TO WHITE:

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FADE IN.

INT. FIRE NATION PRISON - OZAI’S CELL - NIGHT

Iroh is packing up his tea set. Ozai is now sitting down in

a corner accepting his fate that he can no longer fire bendas he looks down at his hands.

OZAINow that you know the truth whatshall you do now?

IROHI shall try to mend my nephewsheart and help him usher in a newera of peace as the Fire Lord.

OZAI

(laughing)Please keep me informed as to howthat goes.

IROHI am sorry for you, brother.

OZAIWhy? Because I can no longer firebend?

IROHNo. Because you have had to live

with such a terrible secret and ithas darkened your heart withhatred.

Iroh exits the cell and makes his way through the corridorsand back to the outside world. When he exits the main doorto the jail he finds that Zuko is waiting for him.

IROH (CONT’D)Oh, Fire Lord Zuko, I see that youare back from visiting your sister.

ZUKOYes, I am uncle and I want you totell me about Terra Escura.

CUT TO:

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INT. FIRE NATION ROYAL PALACE - WAR ROOM.

Zuko is standing on the floor plans that were once hisfather’s strategic plans for taking over the world. Irohstands with him explaining what is beyond Fire Nation’sborders to the west.

IROHTerra Escurra is a land to the westof the fire nation borders. Insome ways you can say they are ourallies.

ZUKOWhat do you mean, Uncle?

IROHAfter the death of Avatar Roku,Fire Lord Sozin sought out metal

benders from the land of TerraEscura to supply the Fire Nation

with iron for our industrial machines, and thus the war began.

FLASH CUT TO

A female metal bender is surrounded by metal walls. Thebender is bending the metal using a form influenced by theCAPOERIA martial arts style as she DANCES, FLIPS, TURNS, andCARTWHEELS around the room destroying the metal walls.

IROH (CONT’D)

(V.O.)These metal benders are fierce

warriors who learned to bend metalfrom the elusive and dangerous Ram-Worms of their land.

BACK TO:

Zuko and Iroh continuing to stand in the war room. Zuko hasturned to face Iroh.

ZUKO

Gather the generals, Uncle, We’regoing to Terra Escura.

IROHWe can’t.

ZUKOAnd why not?

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IROHBecause not only are the warriorsof Terra Escura metal benders...

FLASH CUT TO

The same metal bender is doing the ‘JENGA’ (rocking from side-to-side. It is the starting point of all Capoeria moves) asthe metal bender spins and releases a powerful lighting boltfrom her fingers.

IROH (CONT’D)(V.O.)

They are also the first lighteningbenders.

BACK TO:

Zuko and Iroh in the war room. Zuko now realizes why his

uncle is the only one to ever leave Terra Escura.

ZUKOSo that’s why you’re the only oneto ever visit Terra Escura andlive. You brought lightening tothe fire nation.

IROH(a bit saddened)

Yes, but at a very heavy price.

ZUKO

My mother is out there somewhere,Uncle, and I won’t rest until Ifind her. Now gather my Generals!

Iroh grabs Zuko by the hand and tries to reason with him.

IROHListen to me, Zuko, if we invadeTerra Escura we will awaken asleeping giant that not even thefire nation will be able to combat.

ZUKOWhat are you saying, Uncle, that Ishould forget about my mother?

IROHNo, I am saying seek out other

ways.

ZUKOAnd what way would that be, Uncle?

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Iroh smiles.

IROHThe best way to cross over torrent

waters, Zuko, is to walk over it by way of a bridge.

EXT. NORTHERN AIR TEMPLE - DAY

Zuko and Iroh have arrived at the Northern Air Temple to seeAang. The temple is now clean and looks as if the monks havere-inhabited the place. AANG and APPA are BLOWING a ball backand forth over MOMO’s head as he stands in the middle tryingto capture it.

Appa roars announcing Zuko and Iroh as they walk up thestairs of the temple. Aang turns and waves to them, he’shappy to see that his new friends have come to visit, but he

also notices that Zuko has a serious expression on his face.

APPA Awwwwwrrrrr!

AANGWhat’s that boy?

AANG (CONT’D)Oh, hey guys!

(a little serious)What’s wrong?

Iroh smiles and slightly bows Zuko in the side before whispering.

IROH(whispering)

Smiling is a good way to greet yourfriends, Fire Lord Zuko.

Zuko smiles, doing his best not to show the urgency on hisface.

ZUKO

Hey Aang. I- We- have come to askfor your help.

Aang is cheerful and starts to bounce the ball on his kneelike a soccer ball.

AANGSure, anything for my friend theFire Lord.

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IROH(to Aang)

Then maybe it is best that we enjoya good cup of tea inside.

CUT TO:

INT. NORTHERN AIR TEMPLE - MEDITATING ROOM - DAY

Aang, Iroh, Zuko, and Momo sit inside the monk’s meditatingroom enjoying tea and cookies. Every time Zuko reaches toeat a cookie, Momo steals it. At this point Iroh has alreadyexplained their dilemma.

IROHSo as you can see, locating Zuko’s

mother could take us both our lifetimes, but since you are the bridge

between our worlds I was thinkingthat you could find her by usingZuko’s connection to her.

Aang sits up on his hunches as if he’s contemplating theirrequest and then A HUGE SMILE appears on his face and hegives them a thumbs up and says...

AANGFlame-o-hotman!

Zuko and Iroh look at each as if they’ve never heard the“fire nation idiom” and hunch their shoulders.

Back on Aang.

AANG (CONT’D)It shouldn’t be too hard. When AirNomads stole Appa I was able totrack his spiritual connectionacross the world to Ba Sing Se. Ithink I can do the same with Zuko.

ZUKOThen it’s settled, let’s do it.

Aang, Iroh, and Zuko sit in a circle holding hands with theireyes closed.

AANGZuko clear your mind and think ofnothing but your mother.

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Aang begins to glow as he goes into his avatar state.

FADE TO WHITE:

I/E. SPIRIT REALM.

Aang, Zuko, And Iroh appear in the spirit world and are walking down a dark path lit by a bright white line. This isthe spiritual connection that Zuko has to his mother.

ZUKOWhere are we?

AANGIn the spirit realm.

ZUKOThere’s nothing here.

IROHThings are only what they seemuntil you look closer.

Iroh points ahead where a forest has suddenly appeared.

IROH (CONT’D)See.

ZUKO(to Aang)

So how does this work?

AANGWe simply follow this light and

we’ll know exactly where your momis located.

The trio start to walk into the forest.

CUT TO:

INT. NORTHERN AIR TEMPLE - MEDITATING ROOM

Momo looks around and sees that Aang, Zuko, and Iroh are not moving. He quickly devours the cookies and then he climbsatop Zuko’s head to sleep off his conquest.

BACK TO:

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I/E. SPIRIT REALM.

Aang, Iroh, and Zuko move through the forest.

AANGI don’t remember there being this

many trees here last time.

Zuko leaps over a log.

ZUKOWhen do spirit realms need trees?It’s not like anything lives here.

IROHRemember, Zuko, that which livesand dies in our world must find anew place to live afterwords.

Aang stops and holds out his arms to stop Zuko and Iroh from walking any further. Before them a hug tree with rootssprouting off in all directions blocks their path and that ofthe connection to Zuko’s mother. This tree is KOH THE FACESTEALER’S home.

AANGNo one move.

ZUKOWhy? It’s only a stupid tree.

Zuko begins to move past Aang but a large snapping sound

halts his advance.

AANGNo one make any sudden movements orfacial expressions.

ZUKOWhy?

IROHBecause we are in the presence ofKoh the face stealer.

Out of the base of the tree KOH crawls out of his hole,looming as if ready to strike and take those faces that standbefore him.

KOHAhhh, Avatar Aang, I told you that

we’d meet again.

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AANGWhat is it that you want, Koh?

KOHMe, I want nothing, but I seeyou’ve brought me new faces. Wait,

could it be, the Dragon of the West walks my realm once more?

Koh changes his face to the face that looks like Lu Ten,Iroh’s son, (but this is not Lu Ten, it is the face of LuTen’s grandfather on his mother side who we learn later wasonce Iroh’s betroth and is the Ruler of Terra Escura) he

moves closer to inspect Iroh.

KOH (CONT’D)Yes, give in to your emotionsDragon of the West. Give me thatface which I want.

AANG(to Koh)

Why do you block our path, Koh?

KOHIt is not I, but anger that blocksyour path.

Aang and Iroh turn to look at Zuko.

ZUKOWhat? I’m not angry?

KOHNo, not you. It is Kaze the windspirit who is angry with AvatarAang.

End Act 2

ACT 3

EXT. SPIRIT REALM FORREST.

Koh turns and crawls over to a brush that opens up revealinga different path.

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KOH(to Aang)

If you wish to proceed on yourjourney you will have to face Kazeand answer for your failure to savethe Airbenders of the world and the

air temples they inhabited.

Still showing no emotion, Aang, Iroh, and Zuko enter throughthe bush.

The bush closes behind our heroes and they find themselves ina grassy pasture filled with butterflies.

AANGWow, it’s beautiful.

ZUKO(to Iroh)

Uncle, who was that face that Kohshowed you?

IROH(trying to be upbeat)

No one in particular, just a facefrom my past.

Aang starts to run through the field watching as thebutterflies dance around him.

AANGKaze the wind spirit can’t be that

bad if these beautiful butterflieslive in his realm.

IROHRemember, Aang, what I said aboutthe appearances of things.

The butterflies start to fly away.

AANGWait, where are you going? I’dlove to take one of you back for my

girlfriend Katara.Suddenly a SCREECHING sound pierces the air and thebutterflies quickly fly away. Aang turns and sees a blue batanimal (Kaze’s spiritual defense form) with prickly armsflying towards him.

Aang runs and dives for the grass as KAZE misses him. Zukostarts to fire bend but soon realizes that bending doesn’t

work in the spirit realm.

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ZUKOWhy can’t I bend?

Iroh tackles Zuko in order to save from Kaze’s tiny sharpteeth.

IROHI think we forgot to tell you thatbending does not exist in thespirit world.

Kaze swings back around ready to take another shot at Zuko,but he sees Aang waving to get his attention.

AANGKaze, It’s me, Avatar Aang.

Kaze starts directly for Aang.

AANG (CONT’D)Listen, I’m sure we can talk aboutthis.

Iroh and Zuko stand up and start running towards Aang.

IROHAang get out of it’s way!

Aang doesn’t move. He’s run enough in his life.

Kaze starts to bare down on Aang, flying in fast with theintent to hurt him.

Kaze swoops by Aang and knocks him to the ground. The blowcauses Aang to roll and tumble in the grass.

Kaze comes back around for another blow as Aang slowly standsa little disoriented from the hit.

Iroh and Zuko continue to run to Aang’s defense.

ZUKOUncle, the spinning fireball.

IROH(smiling)Ahhh, good thinking, Zuko.

Zuko turns and begins running back towards Iroh beforestepping into Iroh’s hands and being lunched into the air.

Zuko soars through the air and lands atop Kaze just as thebeast is about to swoop down to finish off Aang.

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Zuko grabs it by the neck and pulls up on the beast forcingit to divert and miss Aang

Up, up, up Zuko and Kaze go, but Zuko’s not letting go.

ZUKO

(through clenched teeth)You tried to hurt my friend. Idon’t like things that try to hurt

my friends.

On the ground, Iroh finally reaches Aang who is still alittle bit out of it.

IROHAang are you, okay?

AANG(dizzy)

Maybe riding Appa after eatingisn’t such a great idea.

Aang falls back down.

Back to Zuko and Kaze as the wind spirit dives and spiralstrying to throw Zuko off its back, but it’s no good. Kazeturns and heads for the forest. If he can’t force Zuko offhe’ll use the natural elements to do so.

They enter the forest going at top speed. Zuko holds on forhis life has twigs and branches smack against his face andbody.

BOOM!

The tree tops explode and out of the debris flies Kaze without Zuko holding on to him. Kaze eyes Aang and Iroh andstarts flying in their direction.

Iroh stands in front of an unconscious Aang ready to give uphis life to protect him.

Suddenly, A BLINDING BLUE LIGHT, much like that of theavatar state FLASHES and standing before Iroh are MONK GYATSO

and the other Monks from the Air temples. Kaze stops short,flapping it’s wings, ready to finish off Aang.

MONK GYATSOKaze, you can not have Aang.

Kaze screeches a load scream as if telling Monk Gyatso andthe other monks to move.

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MONK GYATSO (CONT’D)No. The world needs Aang. Youneed Aang.

Kaze flaps his wings harder creating a large wind that forcesIroh to cover himself over Aang.

Monk Gyatso starts to AIRBEND and creates a WHIRLWIND just aspowerful that counters Kaze’s attack.

MONK GYATSO (CONT’D)Listen to me, wind spirit, Aang didnot kill us, nor did he forsake us.What happened to us was part oflife and the destiny we must playin the larger scope of things.

Kaze turns and flies off a short distance to gain ground.He’s getting to Aang no matter what.

Kaze comes in fast, aiming for Iroh and Aang. The impact would kill them both.

Monk Gyatso and the other monks begin to air bendsimultaneously, creating an orb of air in which they imprisonKaze.

Kaze tries to free himself from the air prison but he can’t.

MONK GYATSO (CONT’D)Listen, to me, Kaze, if you killAang you kill the last of the air

benders. Don’t you see that he isthe future, that without him toteach others the temples willcrumble and airbending as we knowit will cease to exist.

Kaze calms himself realizing that Gyatso is right. Hetransforms into a Large Butterfly, which is his ‘calm state’.

The monks release Kaze from the air prison.

Gyatso turns and looks down at Aang as Iroh stands ideally

by.MONK GYATSO (CONT’D)

Aang it is time to awaken andfinish your journey.

Aang slowly opens his eyes and see’s Gyatso’s ghost.

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AANG(still disoriented)

Gyatso...

MONK GYATSOYes, Aang, it is, I.

AANG(low voice)

Where have you been?

MONK GYATSOWith you, Aang. I will always be

with you, whether in the real worldor the next. But now I must go.

AANGWait, can’t you stay just a littlelonger?

MONK GYATSOI can’t, but I’m sure we’ll seeeach other again.

Gyatso disappears along with all the other Monks as Zukocomes out of the forest holding his head. He sees thebutterfly that is Kaze and runs to Iroh and Aang.

Iroh helps Aang to his feet. Kaze the butterfly is waitingby their side. Zuko comes up.

ZUKO

What happened to that ugly wind monster?

IROHUmmm, Zuko.

ZUKONo, Uncle, I won’t be defeated bysome overgrown wind rat.

IROHUmmm, Zuko, I’d like for you to

meet Kaze the wind spirit.ZUKO

(embarrassed)Oh, hi. What I meant to say wasbeautiful butterfly.

Aang allows Kaze to touch his head with one of its antennas.They’re communicating.

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Beat.

Aang turns to Iroh and Zuko.

AANGKaze has offered to take us to the

end of Zuko’s connection. He saysthat he’s sorry for what he’s done.

Our heroes climb on to Kaze and then soar over the spirtforest until they reach the end of the GLOWING trail where ahut sits.

Kaze lands and Zuko jumps off its back and rushes to the hut.Aang and Iroh follow shortly after.

Zuko enters the hut and finds a woman wearing a kimonositting in a corner crying.

ZUKOMother...

Zuko puts his hand on the woman’s shoulder and turns heraround to reveal a woman wearing a Japanese HANNYA mask.

HANNYA She’s mine!

The “Hannya” woman hits Zuko with the palm of her hand andsends him FLYING out the door of the hut and into Aang andIroh.

FLASH CUT TO

INT. NORTHERN AIR TEMPLE - MEDITATING ROOM

Aang, Iroh, and Zuko awaken from their trance.

AANGZuko what happened?

ZUKOI don’t know. There was someone or

something in the hut. It said“she’s mine” and then it hit me andthe next thing I know we’re backhere.

Zuko gets up from his seat as Momo leaps off his head. Heturns his back to Iroh and Aang. Why? Because he has justshed his first tear in a long time.

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AANGShould I try again?

ZUKONo. I know where she is and I’mgoing to get her back no matter

what.

The end.

30.

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