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Me: okay everyone ready for the next episode?

Sokka: yeah!

Toph: YES!

Aang: Sure.

Katara: YES.

Suki: YES!

Zuko: yeah.

Me: okay lets start.

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BOOK 2: EARTH

CHAPTER 19: THE GURU.

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(ends 0:32)

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(The scene opens upon a beautiful multi-story residential complex in the inner ring. The camera pans up the splendid structure to the third floor, then inside where we see Iroh cooking at a stove. Their pleasant apartment is a vast improvement over the tenement in the lower ring. Zuko, still groggy from sleep, enters the scene from another room.)

: What's that smell? (Iroh is seen stirring a thick white paste in a steaming pot.)

: (doubtfully) It's jook. I'm sure you wouldn't like it. (Zuko bows over the pot, inhaling, as Iroh steps back.)

: (pleasantly) Actually, it smells delicious. I'd love a bowl, Uncle. (The banished Prince picks up and holds out a bowl.)

All but Zuko: Woah!

Zuko: what?

Sokka: your smiling.

Zuko: I've smiled in front of you guys what's the difference?

Toph: Don't know sparky it just feels different.

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: (suspicious) Now that your fever is gone, you seem different somehow. (Iroh ladles some jook into the proffered bowl.)

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Sokka: somehow? He's so different.

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: (optimistically) It's a new day. We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new tea shop. Things are looking up Uncle.

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Katara: This is werid.

Zuko: why is that weird ?!

Sokka: Zuko you've smiled before but this is a whole new attitude.

Zuko: is that a problem.

Aang: no of course not it's nice to see positive zuko it's just not we're used to.

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(Zuko moves to the table and kneels as he speaks, sipping from the bowl and looking out an open window. Iroh's concerned look melts into a pleased smile at his nephew's new attitude.

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Cut to show Appa soaring in for a landing on a seaside cliff. In the distance four large, blue-sailed Northern Water Tribe ships can be seen in Chameleon Bay. Near the docked vessels sits an encampment of blue tents. Aang is shown seated on Appa's neck.)

: (enthusiastically) You haven't seen your Dad in over two years. You must be so excited.

: (visibly nauseous) I know I should be, but I just feel sick to my stomach.

(Sokka clutches his gurgling belly.)

: (reassuringly) Don't be nervous, he's going to be so happy to see you. (places arm on Sokka's shoulder, causing him to smile slightly)

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Katara: of course dad would be happy to see you sokka.

Sokka: yeah I know. But you know it's just been a while.

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: So what about you? Are you nervous to meet this Guru?

:(confidently) Not at all. I'm ready to master the Avatar State. I'll do whatever it takes.

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Aang: .....

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(Sokka drops off of Appa's back, looks up at Aang) See you in a week. Yip Yip!

(With that, Appa launches off the cliff into the air. Sokka turns and looks out over the camp below, and lets out a resigned sigh before heading off for it. We see Sokka nervously walking into the encampment. Water Tribe warriors who were engaged in various activities turn to regard Sokka with a pleasant, surprised look. Sokka is intercepted in the middle of the camp by a tall warrior. The regard each other for a moment, then clasp arms in greeting, broad smiles on their faces. The other men gather around them, laughing with delight.)

: Sokka, good to see you.

(Another of the tribesmen pushes on the top of Sokka's head in a friendly fashion, scrunching him down like a small boy. Sokka straightens to show his height with a grin. The tribesman compares their stature with his hand, and is amazed that Sokka is nearly as tall as he is. The smiling men stand aside to reveal the tent at the head of the encampment, which bears the symbol of the Northern Water Tribe.

Sokka strides toward the command tent, his eyes filled with emotion. He parts the flaps of the tent to reveal a group of senior tribesmen sitting around a chart of the world. At the end of the tent his father Hakoda sits, pondering the map. As the flaps close behind him, Sokka's tentative expression changes to a small smile. A warrior bearing burn scars on his arm and chest kneels next to Hakoda, returning Sokka's smile. Hakoda is preoccupied with the map, frowning in concentration until the warrior nudges him with an elbow. He finally looks up, shocked then elated to see his son.)

: Sokka.

: (voice thick with emotion) Hi Dad.

(Hakoda rises and crosses the tent, and father and son embrace. Sokka rests his head on his father's shoulder with a blissful look of happiness.

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all: awwww.

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(starts 0:33 ends 1:10)

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Cut to the grandiose throne room of the Earth King. The King is seated on his golden throne. His bear Bosco rests his chin on one of the throne's arms. Azula, Ty Lee and Mai are kneeling at the foot of the dais, still disguised as the Kyoshi warriors.)

: Look Bosco, the Kyoshi Warriors are here to protect us. Aren't you excited?

(tugs playfully on Bosco's cheeks, who yawns)

: (turning serious) It's been a difficult week for me. My most trusted advisor, Long Feng, and his Dai Li agents tried to take control of Ba Sing Se from me.

: (smoothly) It's terrible when you can't trust the people who are closest to you.

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Suki: yikes.

Sokka: I get it! because Azula mai and ty lee are closest to him and-

Toph: yeah we all know.

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: (stroking Bosco's head) But there is good news. As we speak, the Council of Five is meeting to plan an invasion of The Fire Nation this summer. On the day of a solar eclipse.

(Azula's eyes widen slightly at these last words.)

: (feigning enthusiasm) Really? Now that sounds like a fascinating and brilliant plan.

(The three girls exchange glances.

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Sokka: Oh that's how our plan got spoiled.

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(starts 0:33)

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Cut to the military headquarters of Ba Sing Se. On the top floor, an enormous open chamber serves as the war room. The center of the ornate room is dominated by a map of the known world, perhaps sixty feet to a side. Katara kneels at the raised frame of the map, Momo perched on her shoulder. The Council of Five are seated at a long table overlooking it.)

: General Fong's base will serve as the launching point of the attack. (a closer view reveals colored stone markers representing military units) In exactly two months, the Army and Navy will invade the Fire Nation on The Day of Black Sun.

(As he says this, he earthbends three earth unit markers across the sea to the fire nation capitol, where a red marker stands. Momo suddenly pounces on the fire nation maker, scattering the other pieces.)

: (amused) Or we could send in Momo to do some damage.

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Zuko: yikes not the right time.

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(Momo continues to hop around the map, scattering more pieces)

:(laughing) Cause the... (continues to laugh, then notices the grim expressions of the Council)...sorry.

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Zuko: as you should be.

Katara: it was just very dry there.

Zuko: no.

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(With a gesture, General How snaps the pieces upright. A startled Momo shrieks and races off the map, to perch on Katara's shoulder once more.)

: All we need is the Earth King's seal in order to execute the plan. (places a scroll on a section of the map frame, which he bends across the map to Katara)

: (respectfully) I'll get these scrolls to him right away. Thank you, General How.

(She picks up the scroll, rises and bows slightly, and turns to depart.

(ends 1:00)

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Cut to Appa, flying towards us from the direction of the setting sun, past mist shrouded mountain peaks. From his seat on Appa, Aang looks about in wonder, and perhaps nostalgia. Ahead we see the three mountain spires of the Eastern Air Temple, linked by bridges. Aang peers ahead as Appa soars closer to the temple, and we see the Guru Pathik seated in the lotus position upon a round dias. Momo settles in for a landing at its base. Sitting on Appa's large shaggy head, Aang looks up towards the Guru.)

: (uncertainly) Um, hello? (hops down, starts up stairs) You're Guru Pathik, right? The person who attached the note to Appa's horn?

: Indeed. I was a spiritual brother of your people, and a personal friend of Monk Gyatso.

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Sokka: he's really old then.

Aang: yup 100 years plus. Probably even older than bumi.

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:(sits facing the Guru) In your note, you said you could teach me to gain control of the Avatar State. How?

: (serenely) You must gain balance within yourself before you can bring balance to the world.

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Katara: that makes sense.

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:And the first step to gaining balance begins with this. (holds up a wooden cup with a yellow liquid in it) Drink up!

(Aang tentatively takes a swallow of the thick yellow stuff, and reacts with disgust, spitting it out to his left.)

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Sokka: that looked disgusting.

Aang: it taste worse than it looks.

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: (appalled) Ugh! It tastes like onion and banana juice!

: That's because it is. (Pathik empties another bowl, and holds it over his head like a ridiculous hat) Yum yum!

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All: ewwww.

Sokka: onion and banana!?

Aang: yes

sokka: ewww.

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(Aang gapes at him in stunned disbelief.

(ends 0:44)

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Cut to a road in the rocky, forested lands of the Earth Kingdom. An ostrich-horse drawn wagon comes to a fork in the road, and continues on the main left branch. Xin Fu is driving the wagon, Master Yu riding beside him. They have a large metal box chained and loaded in the back.)

: (insistently) I believe we need to go right! (points that direction)

: (stops the wagon) What are you talking about? The Bei Fong Estate's this way.

: I'm quite certain you're mistaken. (both turn to the sound of loud banging from the box)

: (urgently shouting) Hey! Can you two old ladies quit your bickering for a second? I gotta go to the bathroom! (she is seen standing inside the dark box)

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they all chuckle.

Sokka: I see your plan.

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: (hesitantly) Oh. Okay, but make it quick.

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Sokka: he fell for it.

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(Yu takes out key and prepares to head to the back.)

: (grabbing Yu's arm) What's wrong with you!

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Zuko: he didn't.

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: Oh very sneaky Toph! Nice try, but you can't trick me. (tosses key in his palm, resumes seat)

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Sokka: but she did-

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: (furious) Let me out of here, so I can kick both your butts! (bangs on walls)

: (angrily) Quit your banging. (strikes the side of box) You might think you're the greatest earthbender in the world, but even you can't bend metal.

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Everyone chuckle.

Sokka: You sure about that.

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(Xin Fu cracks the reins, starting the wagon off again. Inside the metal box, Toph looks worried. She lays her palm against one of the metal seams of her prison.

(starts 1:11)

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Cut to a small building in the upper ring, at night. Inside, a smiling Ty Lee is looking in a mirror. She is wiping the last traces of her Kyoshi makeup from her face. Mai is seated next to nearby, still working on her own face. Azula paces the floor behind them.)

: We have been presented with an extraordinary opportunity, girls.

: (teasingly) Mai finally gets to wear makeup that's not totally depressing?

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all but zuko chuckles.

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: (deadpan) Ha. Ha. (she has large, dark splotches of makeup beneath her eyes)

: (walking to a window) I'm talking about conquering the whole Earth Kingdom. (the two girls turn with shocked looks)

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Sokka: I don't get how they are shocked.

Suki: I mean she's talking about the WHOLE earth kingdom.

Sokka: yeah but we're talking about azula here.

Suki: fair point.

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:(staring out the window) For a hundred years the fire nation has hammered away at Ba Sing Se from the outside. But now we are on the inside, and we can take it by ourselves.

: (admiringly) Gosh, you're so confident. I really admire that about you.

: From the inside we're in the perfect position to organize a coup and overthrow the Earth King. The key is the Dai Li. Whoever controls the Dai Li, controls Ba Sing Se.

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Sokka: that makes sense.

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(She turns and smiles wickedly at her friends.

(starts 1:00)

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We now see the star-filled skies above the Eastern Air Temple. The camera pans down into a deep rocky crevasse. Aang and Guru Pathik stand at a steam that winds through the rocks at the base of the gulch.)

: In order to master the Avatar State, you must open all of the chakras. Aang, tell me everything you know about chakras.

: (rubbing an eye) What are chakras?

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they all chuckle.

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: (disappointed) Oh, I see. I guess we'll start with the basics (he urns to a murky pool where the creek water has gathered.) The water flows through this creek much like the energy flows through your body. (stirs the pool with a stick) As you see there are several pools where the water swirls around before flowing on. These pools are like our charkas.

: So chakras are pools of spiraling energy in our bodies?

: (pleased) Exactly! If nothing else were around, this creek would flow pure and clear. However, life is messy, and things tend to fall in the creek, and then what happens?

: The creek can't flow?

: (nods) Yes. But if we open the paths between the pools... (clears some moss clogging the water with his stick. The water pours quickly into the next pool, and soon all of them are running clean and clear.)

: (eagerly) The energy flows!

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