[mysterious music playing]
[Iroh] 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.
[sighs] Your gauntlets are laced incorrectly, but no one will notice.
What? Help me fix it!
[Iroh] 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.
[exhales]
Why are we off course? Who changed the heading?
[suspenseful music playing]
- Lieutenant Jee, I asked you a question. - We were given new orders.
- New orders? By who? - [Zhao] 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.
[Iroh] What's happened?
[Zuko] 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.
[Iroh] 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. - [Jee] 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.
[dramatic music playing]
[mysterious music playing]
[suspenseful music playing]
- [door opens] - [gasps]
[footsteps approaching]
[Aang] 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.
- [Aang] Wait! - [man grunts]
[Aang] You're supposed to be men of peace!
[men grunt]
[man] After him!
[suspenseful music intensifies]
[Aang grunts]
I'm a friend.
This will take us to Avatar Roku's shrine. Quickly.
[man] He must be close.
[man 2] Search everywhere!
[dramatic music playing]
Whoa. Easy, girl.
- [creature sniffs] - Caught a scent, have we?
[creature grunts]
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?
[Shyu] These are relics from previous Avatars
that my grandfather gathered for safekeeping.
[door closes]
[footsteps approaching]
[Aang] 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.
[mystical whirring]
[Roku] 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?
[laughing]
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.
[Aang] 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...
[grunts]
[chuckles]
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.
[Koh] Perhaps you've come to return what you stole from me.
What did you take?
[Roku] 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.
[Aang] 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.
[echoes] ...a lot of pain.
[emotional music playing]
[mysterious music playing]
[Aang] What happened to them?
[groans softly]
Paralyzed.
[distorted whirring]
[creature snarling]
Sh!
[distorted echoing] Everything's gonna be fine.
[bird chirping]
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.
[birds warble]
Time's up, Avatar.
[Zuko] 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.
[giggles]
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.
[thunder rumbles]
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?
[Li] The Earth Kingdom's forces are concentrated along the southern coast.
We tried flanking them, but they keep lengthening the line.
[man] How about a pincer move?
They're anchored by cliffs. They can outflank any attacks.
What would you do?
- Your Highness, I would suggest-- - [Ozai] 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... - [sighs]
General.
[Li] 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.
[somber music playing]
What division do you suggest?
The 41st. They're mostly new recruits.
They're expendable.
[Ozai] Good.
[indistinct chatter]
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.
[suspenseful music swells]
Someone's out there.
[rustling]
[suspenseful music playing]
[soldiers grunt]
Let us through! Do you know who I am?
[Zhao] 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--
[Iroh] 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. - [Zuko yells]
[Iroh] 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.
[dramatic music playing]
[door opens]
[Zhao] 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.
[chuckles]
Well...
[huffs]
[foreboding music playing]
Blow all the hot air you want. It won't change your fate.
What are you doing? Don't write that down.
[door opens]
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!
[cheering]
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!
[suspenseful music playing]
[carriage approaching]
[bird nickers]
[bird clucks]
Whoa.
[sentry] Did you get everything?
[driver] You know it. As much wine as I could haul.
[sentry] Gonna be some night, huh?
Let's hope there's less firespitting than Ahn's birthday.
[chuckles] My eyebrows only just grew back.
[driver chuckles]
- [sentry] All clear. - [sentry 2] Open gate!
[gate opens]
[suspenseful music playing]
[driver] Whoa.
[indistinct chatter]
[man] He's got the goods.
[man 2] Man, am I happy to see your ugly butt.
[suspenseful music continues]
[footsteps approaching]
[grunting]
[soldier] Who's there?
[soldiers grunting]
[metal clanging]
[thud]
[soldier] Sound the alarm.
[grunts]
[explosion]
- [soldier grunts] - [sword clangs]
[thudding]
[lock clicks]
[groans]
[suspenseful music swells]
[grunts]
[Aang grunts]
[chains clatter]
[mysterious music playing]
Who are you?
Right. Run now, talk later.
[metal clatters]
[indistinct chatter]
[suspenseful music continues]
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.
[suspenseful music intensifies]
[door creaks]
Now, was that "loyal" or "faithful," sir?
[indistinct chatter]
The Avatar has escaped!
- [bell clanging] - [man] The Avatar's escaped!
- There! On the wall! - [Zhao] Don't let him get to the gate!
[man 2] The Avatar! Stop him!
[soldiers grunting]
[soldier] Ah!
[grunting]
[soldier screams]
[dramatic music playing]
[soldiers scream]
[suspenseful action music playing]
[foreboding music playing]
[soldiers grunting]
[Aang grunts]
[soldiers scream]
[grunting]
[soldier screams]
[Aang] Hey! Here. Take this.
Hop on!
[masked man] Ah!
Ah!
[indistinct chatter]
Ah!
[grunts]
[masked man screams]
[both grunt]
[indistinct chatter]
[Zhao] Hold your fire!
I need the Avatar... alive.
What... what are you doing?
[suspenseful music playing]
[Aang grunts]
Open the gate!
[soldier] Sir!
Do it!
Now!
[soldier] Open gate!
[gate closing]
Do you have a shot?
Take him out.
[somber music playing]
[whooshing]
Kill the mercenary,
and recover the Avatar!
Now!
[dramatic music playing]
[gate opens]
[indistinct yelling]
[soldier] Where did they go?
[indistinct yelling]
[soldier] Check over there!
[soldier 2] Did you see anything?
[soldier 3] Sir, footprints!
[soldier 4] Over here!
[indistinct yelling]
[Zuko] I have a small boat nearby.
We can't go anywhere. Not with those soldiers still out there.
[soldier 5] 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.
[groans]
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.
[thunder rumbles]
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...
[sighs]
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.
[emotional music playing]
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.
[grunts]
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you.
I have a feeling you've been hurt more than enough.
[mysterious music playing]
[Ozai] 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. - [Ozai] Really?
Even when they come up with terrible plans?
My plans!
My strategy. My military. That's what you have insulted.
[Zuko] Forgive me, Father. I meant no disrespect.
- Rise. - [Zuko] 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.
[suspenseful music playing]
[breathing shakily]
[Ozai grunts]
[action music playing]
[Zuko grunts]
[Ozai grunts]
[grunting]
Is this everything? Give me everything.
[Zuko grunting]
[suspenseful music swells]
[dramatic music playing]
[Zuko grunts]
[groans]
[panting]
[grunts]
Compassion is a sign of weakness.
[sinister music playing]
- [Zuko screaming] - [sizzling]
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?
[Zuko grunts]
[mysterious music playing]
[Zuko panting]
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.
[Iroh] Lieutenant, have you ever wondered
how you and the others were assigned this mission?
[Iroh] 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.
[sighs]
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.
[somber music playing]
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.
[dramatic music playing]
[sniffles]
[crying]
The 41st?
We're the 41st.
And you're all alive because of my nephew's sacrifice.
[man] There's something out there.
[Iroh] It's him. Drop the lines!
- [indistinct yelling] - [chain clacking]
- [Iroh] 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.
[footsteps approaching]
Attention!
[soldiers] Huh!
Our prince... has returned.
- Hup! - [men] Hup!
What's going on?
They must've missed you at music night.
[dramatic music continues]
[Iroh] 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...
[Momo chattering]
...which is funny because the truth is, we would do anything for them.
[Appa grunts]
[Iroh] We'd travel incredible distances.
[mystical whirring]
[Iroh] Risk our lives.
Even fight monsters.
[Koh chuckles]
[squelching]
[mysterious music playing]
[wind whistling]
[emotional music playing]
[Iroh] But I suppose it can be scary to admit you need people.
Some might see that as a weakness, a liability.
[woman laughing]
[indistinct chatter]
- [man] It's been so long. - [woman] How do you feel?
[Iroh] After all, what greater pain is there than losing someone you love?
Or worse...
[Aang] Gyatso?
[Iroh] ...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.
[Iroh] 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.
[upbeat drum and flute music playing]