The Legend of Aáng (An Avatar: The Last Airbender Film Screenplay)

Recently I began my own effort to adapt the series "Avatar: The Last Airbender" into a four-film series, beginning, of course, with Book One. 

This will not be like other efforts that attempt to stay as close to the series as possible, however. The object of this project is to take the series' characters, world, and most basic plot and weave it into a cohesive narrative, making for an overall enjoyable film series.

I'll soon begin posting what I have of it.

EDIT: Slightly more readable version (both hastily copied from Microsoft word)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F2c-3qPhEFCN_Gxf19rm2uYnWVimh-UvIjOCv5gBE9M/edit

Hello, Frink.

Nope. That's one thing I personally could not stand in the actual film version. As of right now, there is no narration in the film.

Yes. The narration was total bollux. Sokka and Yue's development should occupy a great deal of screen-time, and barely got a minute-long scene their, beyond the narration.

One of the things I plan to rectify in this version.

FADE IN:

CLOSE ON: A MAP OF THE EARTH. We pan across it, to reveal FOUR NATIONS and their symbols.

SOZIN (V.O.)

All the world to choose from, and we are confined to such a small corner of it.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

INT. SOZIN’S ROOM – NIGHT

ANGLE ON: Two men sit around a table with the map resting on it. They are both holding cups of tea, and only one drinks from it. One of the men, SOZIN, gestures at the map, as if to prove a point.

SOZIN (CONT’D)

We are being shunned by our own people, Roku. 

ANGLE ON: ROKU looks his friend in the eye.

ROKU

You know that it is not right of me to think more of any nation than the other. You ask me to betray my duties.

ANGLE ON: SOZIN, displeased with his friend.

SOZIN

There are times I think you’ve forgotten you once aspired to be a Fire Nation warrior.

ANGLE ON: ROKU sighs and takes a sip of his tea.

ROKU

I was younger then, and unaware of who I was.

SOZIN

Was it so long ago that you’ve forgotten your own country?

ANGLE ON: ROKU stares at his friend from across the table.

SOZIN (CONT’D)

Think of it, my friend! For too long, we have been kept in this inadequate space of the Earth. You, more than anyone else, must realize that!

ROKU begins to grow angry with his friend.

SOZIN (CONT’D)

All I ask of you is that we are given opportunity to expand our greatness. Let us have the land. Let us show our potential!

ROKU softens his brow.

SOZIN (CONT’D)

Please. For old time’s sake.

CLOSE ON: ROKU sighs and gives his friend a stern looking over before replying.

ROKU

Sozin, I have told you no time and again, and no my answer remains.

MEDIUM ON: SOZIN hangs his head in disappointment and closes his eyes.

ROKU (CONT’D)

My primary duty is to preserve the integrity of the four nations. To stop at nothing to preserve peace. Anything less would be treasonous of me.

ANGLE ON: SOZIN begins to look up.

ROKU (CONT’D)

You are still my closest friend, Sozin. But you ask the impossible.

ANGLE ON: SOZIN gives a brief sad chuckle before looking his friend in the eye.

SOZIN

And you won’t reconsider?

ROKU shakes his head and takes a sip of tea.

MEDIUM ON: SOZIN and ROKU.

SOZIN (CONT’D)

A shame. I had a feeling you’d say that.

ROKU widens his eyes and glares across the table.

ROKU

What do you mean?

SOZIN registers somewhat of a smirk as he says it.

SOZIN

I started the colonization effort weeks ago. We’ve been settling in the eastern Earth Kingdom.

ROKU leaps up from his chair, but SOZIN remains strangely calm.

ROKU

What?

SOZIN cannot help but stop himself from chuckling.

ROKU (CONT’D)

You’ve overstepped your authority, Sozin! You have no business occupying territory of the other nations!

SOZIN is immovable.

ROKU (CONT’D)

I cannot allow this.

ROKU then extends his fist to bend fire at SOZIN, but is mortified to see that nothing happens. He then begins to pant and clutches his chest in pain.

SOZIN

Is there something wrong with your tea?

ROKU is overcome with pain and slumps to his knees, and SOZIN rushes and holds him in his arms. ROKU looks up, his eyes glazed.

ROKU

(strained)

Why?

ANGLE: SOZIN grips his friend.

SOZIN

With no Avatar, my plans may continue undisturbed. It was for the best.

ROKU

(strained)

It will never work! Your crusade will be over as soon as it has started.

SOZIN

I wish I could say otherwise.

CLOSE ON: ROKU lets out a cough.

ANGLE ON: SOZIN grips his friend tighter, as his final moments come.

SOZIN

I am truly sorry, my friend.

He grips tighter, but senses that ROKU has gone, and lets him fall.

INT. TEMPLE – NIGHT

CLOSE ON: A few bones are seen in the flames of a fire. A wrinkled hand reaches into the fire and pulls out a bone.

ANGLE ON: An ORACLE reads the cracks of the bone. SOZIN waits patiently for her to finish.

SOZIN

What does it say?

The ORACLE holds her hand up as to silence him. She reads the bones further.

CLOSE ON: Her finger traces the cracks.

SOZIN (O.S.)

What of the comet?

ANGLE ON: The ORACLE places the bone down on a plate.

ORACLE

The comet shall appear in two days time. As it did a century ago, your power will be greatly enhanced.

SOZIN grins maliciously.

ANGLE ON: The ORACLE then shudders and grips SOZIN’S ARM, working up to his forearm.

ORACLE

Be warned.

SOZIN leans closer in to listen.

ORACLE

As you assume control, a powerful bender will come. Your efforts will be halted, your army decimated, and you shall be defeated.

SOZIN widens his eyes.

SOZIN

What kind of bender?

CLOSE ON: The ORACLE squints, reaching out.

ORACLE

Air… Water… Earth… and Fire.

ANGLE ON: SOZIN leans back.

SOZIN

(whisper)

The Avatar.

He grips the ORACLE’S arm at the forearm.

SOZIN

Where shall the next Avatar be born into?

ORACLE

The Air Nomads.

SOZIN

(desperately)

Who shall he be? What is his name? Where-

ORACLE

(furiously)

Silence!

SOZIN recoils in fear.

ANGLE ON: The ORACLE relinquishes her grip.

ORACLE

Such things cannot be told so early.

SOZIN groans and stands.

SOZIN

Then I shall exterminate all of the Air Nomads!

ANGLE ON: SOZIN turns away from the ORACLE.

          SOZIN (CONT’D)

My plans have come too far to be uprooted by a remnant of a past age. There will be nothing to stop me from my goal.

ORACLE

Take heed, Sozin. The tighter you grip on the Four Nations the farther they shall slip from you.

SOZIN turns to face the ORACLE.

SOZIN

I fear nothing. The world shall burn before me!

PM sent.

You're totally right about Zuko needing to become more competent. He seems like a near Draco-type in the first couple of episodes.

EXT. FIRE NATION - DAYBREAK.

WIDE ON: SOZIN surveys a large army, backed by large FIRE NATION ships.

CLOSE ON: SOZIN looks to the sky.

ANGLE ON: A comet streaks through the sky and turns the sky red.

ANGLE ON: SOZIN turns his eyes back to the army. He holds his hands out in front of him, conjuring a large stream of fire in his hands and throwing it towards the camera.

INT. SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE - AANG’s ROOM - NIGHT

WIDE ON: A dark child’s room is shown, with the sounds of scuffling and frantic panting heard. A figure in a brown cloak is seen pacing back and forth, leaving something on a table before rushing out of the door.

INT. SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - NIGHT

WIDE ON: Another man, Gyatso, enters a large chamber, with seven men seated on large thrones before him. He has a letter in his hands, and is clearly quite distraught by something.

GYATSO

My friends, I have news.

TASHI

As do we, Gyatso.

MEDIUM ON: TASHI leans forward to speak.

TASHI

We’ve received news from the Eastern Air Temple. The attacks are growing stronger. They say the Western Temple has been eradicated completely.

CLOSE ON: MONK GYATSO turns shocked at the news he hears.

INT. SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE - HALL - NIGHT

WIDE ON: The child, cloaked, sneaks down a wall, but disappears back behind it when he sees two monks coming down the hallway. He waits until they have passed, and continues down his way.

TASHI (V.O.)

If we have any hope of Aáng completing his training, we must remove him safely from the temple. He can resume elsewhere.

INT. SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - NIGHT

CLOSE ON: GYATSO stressfully hangs his head before answering.

GYATSO

My friends, Aáng is no longer with us. He has run away.

PASANG

What?!

MEDIUM ON: The elders begin, in panic, to discuss amongst themselves.

GYATSO

It’s my fault.

GYATSO’s comment breaks the noise, as the elders’ eyes fall on him.

CLOSE ON: GYATSO holds up the letter and unrolls it, displaying it to the others.

GYATSO

I should never have submitted to his finding out at this time. You saw his performance at the presentation. He’s not ready for the responsibility.

EXT. SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE - BISON PEN – NIGHT

WIDE ON: AÁNG sneaks into a pen where the sky-bison are kept.

MEDIUM ON: AÁNG pulls back his hood to reveal his face, and finds one of the bison in the pen. It begins to growl. AÁNG tries to shush it.

AÁNG

(hushed)

Hey! Take it easy, Appa. It’s me, Aáng.

The creature lets out a content sigh.

AÁNG (CONT’D)

Listen, you’re coming on a little trip with me. All right?

He then starts to mount the creature.

INT. SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE – COUNCIL CHAMBER – NIGHT

MEDIUM ON: GYATSO and the councilmen are both seen in profile.

PASANG

(furious)

You fool! The Fire Nation is coming, Gyatso! Aáng would have been the first they’d have suspected.

GYATSO

All the better that he escaped, then-

CLOSE ON: PASANG grows furious and points his finger to GYATSO.

PASANG

You don’t understand! Had he remained here, we could have hidden him, protected him! Now, there is no way to guarantee his safety.

CLOSE ON: The impact of the news hits MONK GYATSO, and he almost seems to mouth ‘What have I done?’ to himself.

EXT. SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE – BISON PEN – NIGHT

WIDE ON: AÁNG is now seated atop APPA, and begins to grip the reins.

AÁNG

Appa, yip-yip!

APPA begins to hover off of the ground, as AÁNG grips his reins tightly.

MEDIUM ON: GYATSO rushes out of the temple to see AÁNG leaving. He yells and rushes after him.

CLOSE ON: AÁNG sees GYATSO, but snaps the reins and APPA speeds away from the temple.

CLOSE ON: GYATSO pitifully watches AÁNG fly away. He mouths a ‘good-bye’.

INT. SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE – COUNCIL CHAMBER – NIGHT

CLOSE ON: GYATSO falters as he looks for words to say.

GYATSO

What do we do now?

CLOSE ON: PASANG has great grief on his face.

PASANG

Whatever we can.

EXT. – SKY – NIGHT

CLOSE ON: AANG clearly has much regret about what he has done, but keeps flying.

WIDE ON: APPA disappears into the night sky.

EXT. SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE – DAY

MONTAGE: FIREBENDERS barrage the temple. Pillars burn, AIRBENDERS and FIREBENDERS duel, and tanks run up the hill to the temple.

WIDE ON: A general and several soldiers burst through the temple doors and lead themselves down the hallway. They hear shuffling, and turn to see GYATSO opposing them with his arms extended. The soldiers attempt to bend fire at him, but GYATSO deflects their attack, now starting to perspire a bit.

ASSAULT GENERAL

What is your name?

GYATSO

Gyatso.

CLOSE ON: The ASSAULT GENERAL holds his men back from attacking.

ASSAULT GENERAL

You. Where is the Avatar? Tell us and we’ll stop our attack.

CLOSE ON: GYATSO breathes heavily as he looks over the men. He is thinking of what to say.

ASSAULT GENERAL (O.S.)

Well, man?

He falters, but manages to speak.

GYATSO

I… am the Avatar.

PAN TO THE ASSAULT GENERAL

He grins.

CLOSE ON: GYATSO

GYATSO

And I offer myself as prisoner.

ANGLE ON: The GENERAL lets his men past him.

MEDIUM ON: MONK GYATSO prepares to defend himself.

ASSAULT GENERAL

I’m afraid that Sozin won’t be accepting prisoners today.

CLOSE ON: The soldiers bend fire at the screen, and the screen flashes white.

INT. FIRE NATION - THRONE ROOM – DAY

WIDE ON: SOZIN leads forward on his throne, elderly and sickly looking, as the ASSAULT GENERAL approaches the throne.

SOZIN

Well?

ASSAULT GENERAL

It is done, my lord.

CLOSE ON: SOZIN is unconvinced, and leans further forward.

SOZIN

What did he look like?

MEDIUM ON: The general looks confused by his question.

ASSAULT GENERAL

He was near your age, sir. I’d guess about eighty.

CLOSE ON: SOZIN closes his eyes, and sighs.

ASSAULT GENERAL

Is something wrong, my lord?

SOZIN

The next Avatar was only born as Roku died. He should have been a child.

MEDIUM ON: The ASSAULT GENERAL gasps and hangs his mouth open, looking for words to say.

ASSAULT GENERAL

My apologies, my lord.

SOZIN stands up from his throne, and walks down toward the general. He sneers at the man, before casting enough fire at him to vaporize him where he stands.

CLOSE ON: SOZIN catches his breath, and turns to an advisor.

SOZIN

Eradicate them all. Let none escape!

EXT. ANTARCTIC – DAY

A storm rages on above in the sky, with harsh winds and constant thunder.

CLOSE ON: AANG holds on to APPA’s reins as the winds buck them both about. He yells.

WIDE ON: The two crash into the waves, as AANG struggles to bring APPA out of the water. He manages, but they crash back into the water, and are unable to get out.

CLOSE ON: AANG drifts down, his eyes closing and his mouth drifting open. All of the sudden, his eyes open. They’re glowing white, as are the arrow markings donning his head.

WIDE ON: AANG slams his hands together, creating an ice shell around him and APPA.

CLOSE ON: AANG’s eyes close and his glow diminishes.

INT. FIRE NATION – DUEL STAGE – DAY

WIDE ON: A figure obscured by fire stands over a scrawny child, kneeling on the floor. 

OZAI (V.O.)

You have spoken out of turn, Prince Zuko.

CLOSE ON: The child, ZUKO, stares at his father standing above him, terrified for himself.

ZUKO

(frightened)

I know… I’m sorry, father. I didn’t mean to.

OZAI (V.O.) (CONT’D)

You must now fight for yourself, my son. To regain your honor.

MEDIUM ON: ZUKO gets to his feet and attempts to hold his fists up.

ZUKO

You planned to kill innocent people. I had to say something! I meant you no disrespect.

Then figure walks toward him, and ZUKO lets his hands down.

ZUKO (CONT’D)

I can’t fight you. There must be another way.

The figure walks toward him, at first not saying anything.

ZUKO

(weepy)

Please… I don’t want to fight you, father.

CLOSE ON: ZUKO stares at his father, his eyes welling up.

OZAI

If you will not fight, then you will learn. And this shall be your lesson.

MEDIUM ON: OZAI casts fire at the screen a sharp cry is heard.

INT. ZUKO’S QUARTERS – MORNING

CLOSE ON: The eyes of ZUKO, who is now several years older, awaken after a particularly bad dream. As he turns over, we see that a large burn occupies most of his face.

CUT TO:

EXT. FIRE NATION SHIP – TRAINING DECK – DAY

WIDE ON: ZUKO faces several soldiers as well as a few machines. One lunges at him and he deflects it, while also blasting fire at another soldier. He leaps up from his spot to avoid another attack.

ANGLES ON: ZUKO widens his eyes as he ducks another fire blast. He chops another soldier and throws him into a mat, before turning to another. He stops another hand from hitting him and kicks him down.

ANGLES ON: Another soldier gets up and chases him to another fighting mat. The two share a long exchange of moves, until the soldier catches ZUKO off balance and ZUKO goes tumbling down.

ANGLE ON: ÏROH comes rushing to ZUKO’s aid, but ZUKO gets up on his own and brushes himself off, before motioning the victor away. He turns to ÏROH.

ÏROH

That was better. You’re still working from the brawn, however. Not the breath. And anger is your sole drive. Serenity provides control, but anger lets one lose a grip on it. 

ZUKO

What do you propose I do about it?

ÏROH

Perhaps you should take up meditation. I find it relaxes the mind in times of unrest.

ZUKO looks to ÏROH.

                          ÏROH

Take, half an hour. Then we’ll 

begin again.

EXT. SOUTHERN WATER TRIBE – DAY

WIDE ON: A plain of water moves gently as we pan across it.

We land on a girl, KATARA, practicing a Tai Chi-like form by the side of a lake. She concentrates hard, but is unable to move the water.

CLOSE ON: KATARA once again extends her arms in an attempt to move the water in the lake. She grits her teeth, but once again holds her arm out.

WIDE ON: A small blob of water comes out of the ocean, and KATARA grins. She forms it into a stream and moves it around herself in an intricate formation.

SOKKA (O.S.)

What are you doing?

She gasps and whips around, taking the water stream with her. A loud grunt is heard off-screen. She then clutches her arms to her side as she looks toward the source of the noise.

MEDIUM ON: A seventeen-year-old boy, SOKKA, stands perfectly still, eyes clamped shut and water dripping from his face. He eventually opens his and gives a loud groan.

KATARA

(shocked)

Sokka!

ANGLE: KATARA rushes to SOKKA’S aid, a rag in her hand.

KATARA (CONT’D)

I’m so sorry.

SOKKA

Every time…

KATARA pats his face with the rag.

SOKKA

Five colds in the last month, and not in a conducive climate, mind you!

KATARA

Look, I said I was sorry.

               SOKKA
Can’t you just keep that nonsense to yourself?

CLOSE ON: KATARA bites her lip in anger.

KATARA

It’s not nonsense, it’s called waterbending-

SOKKA

You know what I meant.

CLOSE ON: SOKKA

SOKKA (CONT’D)

I’ve told you not to practice it out in the open like that. It’s dangerous to everyone here, especially to you!

KATARA

I’m not endangering anyone.

SOKKA

Let’s see what you say when the patrol shows up.

KATARA

Oh, will you calm down? They haven’t been here in years.

SOKKA

Care to remember what happened last time they were?

MEDIUM ON: KATARA glares at him, her expression turning from anger to sadness. SOKKA sighs and attempts to repent.

SOKKA

Don’t look at me like that.

KATARA

Like what?

SOKKA

Like I don’t miss her too.

KATARA sighs and gives a small reassuring smile to him.

SOKKA

All right, well. I’ve been calling you for a while. I spotted some tracks leading off that way. I was wondering if you didn’t want to come along.

KATARA nods, and then starts off with him.

MONTAGE: KATARA and SOKKA trek across their home, following the tracks carefully as they go. They pass rivers, glaciers, ice plains, and various common sights for them.

MEDIUM ON: SOKKA eventually reaches the end of the tracks, and is shocked to see that they abruptly stop, with no lead to a pack. He squats down and attempts to read them.

SOKKA

It’s impossible! How can they just end!?

WIDE ON: KATARA looks around for signs of an animal pack around, but stops cold as she stares at something off-screen.

           SOKKA

Well, sorry for dragging you all the way out here for nothing…

SÔKKA tilts his head up when there is no answer.

SOKKA

Katara?

He sees her staring off and gets up to see what she’s staring at, and his eyes nearly bulge when he sees it.

ANGLE ON: A FIRE NATION ship, shrouded in ice and surrounded by a glacier, is seen in the distance away from them.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA grins and starts toward it.

SOKKA

Jackpot!

KATARA

(frightened)

Where are you going?

SÔKKA turns back around to face her.

SOKKA

That thing’s got to be chock full of supplies. I’m going to go check it out.

KATARA

We can’t go there! What if it’s still-?

SOKKA

Look at it. It’s deserted. We’ll be fine.

He starts off back toward the ship.

CLOSE ON: KATARA deliberates for a second but chooses to follow.

EXT. FIRE NATION DERELICT - DAY

WIDE ON: SOKKA arrives at the entrance of the ship, and admires it for a second. He looks behind him to see KATARA pursuing him.

MEDIUM ON: He starts to climb up the ice to the ship. He enters an open porthole before checking behind him.

ANGLE ON: KATARA looks up at the ship in a daze.

SOKKA

Come on!

CLOSE ON: KATARA looks up to him and shakes her head.

KATARA

I’m staying out here.

CLOSE ON: SOKKA sighs and crawls out of the entrance a bit.

SOKKA

Look, you’ll be safer in here with me than you will be alone out here. Come on!

KATARA

Are you sure?

SOKKA

I made a promise to keep you safe, didn’t I?

MEDIUM ON: KATARA reluctantly begins to climb up the side of the ship. She nearly slips, but SOKKA grabs her hand and pulls her up the rest of the way. 

INT. FIRE NATION DERELICT – DAY

WIDE ON: SOKKA and KATARA enter the ship’s dark hallways, and start down one corridor. SOKKA grips KATARA’s hand the whole way.

MONTAGE: The two look through many rooms and hallways, seeing many different sights, including skeletons and different pieces of weaponry.

MEDIUM ON: They come to one room, and SOKKA chooses to survey around them while KATARA looks in the room. She screams softly and pushes up against the wall, hyperventilating.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA puts his hands on her shoulders as he looks in the room.

ANGLE ON: Several skeletons and instruments of torture line the walls and floor.

BACK TO: SOKKA turns back to KATARA, who’s breathing heavily and whimpering.

SOKKA

(hushed)

Katara, calm down.

ANGLE ON: KATARA looks at SOKKA.

KATARA

I saw her… She’s there…

                         SOKKA

No, she’s not. They’re all flamers. I promise you.

SOKKA grips her hand. KATARA starts breathing normally again, and swallows.

SOKKA

Come on, let’s get out of here.

KATARA

No. Let’s see what we can find.

INT. FIRE NATION DERELICT – DAY

WIDE ON: SOKKA walks into a room and tries to read the labels of some boxes on there, but it is too dark for him to see the labels. He pulls a small pack of matches out of his pocket and takes one out. It takes several strikes, but he finally manages to light it. He then sticks it to a torch, and almost unwittingly drops the match on the floor.

CLOSE ON: The match falls to the floor, accidentally igniting an old fuse.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA leans in closer with his torch to read the printing on the crates.

INTERCUT: The fuse burns, ever so slowly making its way to the boxes.

SOKKA eventually wipes the ice off of one of the crates, and his eyes bug out as he sees what they say. He then turns to see the fuse, making its way to the boxes.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA rushes out of the room.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA dashes through the hallway, and runs into KATARA, who’s holding a couple of bags.

KATARA

Oh! Look what I found-

SOKKA

That’s nice. Now let’s get out of here.

KATARA

What’s wrong?

SOKKA

I’ll tell you later. Just hurry!

He grabs KATARA’s arm and leads her away, causing her to drop the bags.

CLOSE ON: The fuse nearly finds its mark.

EXT. FIRE NATION DERELICT – DAY

WIDE ON: SOKKA rushes with KATARA out of the SHIP.

ANGLE ON: He rushes her over to a snow mound and pushes her behind it, before joining her. He peaks over the edge.

INT. FIRE NATION DERELICT – SUPPLY ROOM - DAY

CLOSE ON: The fire finally meets its target; a load of gunpowder.

EXT. ICE PLAIN – DAY

WIDE ON: The ship suddenly bursts in a spectacular explosion, with debris being scattered and the very hulk of the ship being torn to shreds.

CLOSE ON: KATARA and SOKKA duck behind the snow mound to avoid flying debris.

EXT. ZUKO’S SHIP – MAIN DECK – DAY

MEDIUM ON: ÏROH is taking a sip of tea. Upon hearing the rumbling of the explosion in the distance, he hesitates for a moment. He disregards it and resumes his tea.

EXT. ICE PLAIN – DAY

WIDE ON: The explosions begin to die down, and some of the larger debris begins to sink down into the hole left by the ship’s absence. Various bits of metal no bigger than a foot are scattered around the large pool of water.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA and KATARA peak over their snow mound and see the ship’s absence. The both lean on their elbows as KATARA gives a suspicious and angry glance in SÔKKA’s direction. SOKKA then leaps over the ice-mound to go look into the hole. KATARA groans and follows him.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA looks into the water, seeing if there’s anything to salvage. KATARA arrives behind him. He then squints his eyes as he leans forward.

KATARA

What did you do?

SOKKA

Sssh… Look at that. What is that?

KATARA leans forward.

ANGLE ON: A strange blue light is seen in the water. KATARA and SOKKA exchange glances, but turn back when they notice that the water is starting to churn.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA places his arm over KATARA and begins to back up with her as a strange humming noise begins to be heard.

WIDE ON: A huge sphere of ice shoots up from out of the water, bobbing up and down before finally settling.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA starts to cower but KATARA walks closer, beginning to circle the hole of water.

ANGLE ON: She then pauses, and looks closer into the sphere.

ANGLE ON: A silhouette of AÁNG is seen through the light reflecting into the ice.

CLOSE ON: KATARA widens her eyes as SOKKA is seen backing up behind her.

SOKKA

Alright, let’s just head back to the tribe, say we had an uneventful trip and get on with our lives…

KATARA

Sokka, I think there’s someone in there…

ANGLE ON: SOKKA walks up closer to her and attempts to meet her eye-line, but gives up.

SOKKA

I don’t see anything.

KATARA

He might still be alive…

SÔKKA nervously looks over to her.

SOKKA

Don’t even think about it.

KATARA then suddenly grabs a spear out of SOKKA’S backpack. SOKKA fumbles for it and follows her as she moves toward the ice.

ANGLE ON: KATARA drives the spear into the ice, pushing on it, trying to pull away some of the ice.

CLOSE ON: SOKKA looks bewilderedly at her as tries to stop her.

ANGLE ON: KATARA takes another stab into the ice, pushing the spear down even further.

CLOSER ON: The spear is brought down, peeling away a good chunk of the ice. A blue light begins spilling out, as well as gusts of wind as well.

ANGLE ON: KATARA is thrown back by the energy of the opening, and is flung into SOKKA.

CLOSE ON: The two get to their feet, and stare in amazement at the sphere.

WIDE ON: The sphere begins to crumble, with a steady stream of blue light filling the sky. KATARA and SOKKA cover their eyes. A sharp ringing sound comes out as well.

INT. ZUKO’S QUARTERS - DAY

MEDIUM ON: ZUKO sits in the lotus position in front of some candles. He suddenly tilts his head when he hears the ringing from his cabin. He immediately gets up from his seat and goes to a porthole.

ANGLE ON: The light extends into the sky, until it eventually disappears.

CLOSE ON: ZUKO is amazed and tantalized by what he just witnessed. He fumbles for a few seconds before he can even get a word out.

ZUKO

Captain!

He runs away from the window.

INT. FIRE NATION TEMPLE – DAY

WIDE ON: A sage passes a statue of AVATAR ROKU, before the statue’s eyes light up. He stops and pauses, looking at the statue.

CLOSE ON: He looks at the statue, enticed. His lip quivers as if he wishes to say something, but doesn’t.

EXT. ICE PLAIN – DAY

CLOSE ON: SOKKA and KATARA remove their hands from their eyes. KATARA begins to lean forward.

SOKKA

Great. Amongst everything else I think I’m flash blind now.

KATARA breaks his grasp and heads over to the ice.

SOKKA

Katara! Why do I even bother?

ANGLE ON: KATARA hops over the now destroyed husk of the ice shell and slides down into the resulting crater. She stops cold.

ANGLE ON: AÁNG lies motionless on the floor of the shell, a hood covering his tattoos.

ANGLE ON: KATARA kneels down next to him and begins to try to get him up. SOKKA jumps in next to her. He points bewilderedly at AÁNG.

SOKKA

Who’s he?

KATARA motions him away and returns to lifting up AÁNG.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA turns away, screaming as he sees what lies before him.

ANGLE ON: He walks cautiously towards APPA, who lies motionless on the ground.

SÔKKA

What is that?

ANGLE ON: KATARA props AÁNG against a wall of the sphere, and tries to revive him. First, she tries slapping his cheeks lightly. She looks over to SOKKA.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA stands in front of APPA, whose tail is beginning to swing.

SOKKA

Katara, there’s no way he’s still alive.

He is then nearly pushed over by the force of APPA’s tail hitting him. He turns around to face him.

ANGLE ON: KATARA presses her ear to AÁNG’s chest. Her eyes widen as she detects a heartbeat and faces him.

KATARA

He is alive.

SOKKA (O.S.)

Great. Now let’s get out of here.

KATARA

We’ve got to get him back to the village.

ANGLE ON: SOKKA looks as if it takes all he is to stop from bursting out laughing.

SOKKA

Yeah, I’m sure that’d look great…

KATARA leaps up to face him.

KATARA

We can’t just leave him here.

SOKKA

Yes we can. He’s alive. He can get out of here on his own.

KATARA

We’ve got to take him back.

SOKKA

What would we tell Gran-Gran, exactly? “Hey, check out this kid we found in an iceberg under a Fire Nation shipwreck.” What would we tell her?

KATARA

The truth.

SOKKA

That’s as bad as if we just came back empty handed.

KATARA

Look, we’re taking him back no matter-

AÁNG (O.S.)

Excuse me?

Their eyes both bulge out as they turn to face the before lifeless boy.

ANGLE ON: AÁNG stares at them, a frightened expression on his face.

ANGLE ON: KATARA frantically looks between SOKKA and AÁNG, before breaking an uneasy smile on her face.

KATARA

(perky)

Hi!

ANGLE ON: AÁNG has eased somewhat, but not much.

AÁNG

Would you mind telling me where I am?

ANGLE ON: SOKKA then, without warning, yells and lunges forward with his spear.