Me: okay are you guys ready?

All: YEAH

Me: Okay....

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BOOK 3: FIRE

CHAPTER 9: NIGHTMARES AND DAYDREAMS

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Aang: is it what I think it is?

Sokka: I mean it has to be.

Katara: yeah it's almost the invasion.

Toph: I'm pretty sure that is what we all think it is.

Suki:.....I'm kind of scared now but excited.

Zuko:.. for me more or less.

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(After the preview, the camera pans upward over a field of sleeping Koala-Sheep. Appa, Aang, Sokka, Katara, Toph and Momo come into the scene through a large hedge. Cut to closer shot of Sokka and his friends.)

(looking at a map) This is it, the official rendezvous point for the invasion force.

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Aang,Sokka,Katara and toph: IT IS.

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(Camera pans over mountains and fields of Koala-Sheep)

How did you pick this place?

Before we split up, my dad and I found this island on a map. It's

uninhabited, and the harbor (cut to aerial shot of the cliff face) surrounded by cliffs seemed like the perfect secluded place.

(cut to close-up ground level shot of the gang preparing for bed) Nice choice Sokka. And we're here four days ahead of schedule.

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Suki: wow already?

Sokka: Yeah I know right time flies really fast.

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(shocked) Wait, (shoots out of bed and high into the air) four days! (close up of Aang's horrified face) The invasion's in four days!

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Suki: oh gosh.

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(close shot of the inside of Sokka's mouth, which pan's out to reveal him yawning) Whatever. (nonchalant) That's like... four days from now. (lays back onto his mat) Let's just calm down, and ... (snore)

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They all chuckle.

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(Cut to Sokka sleeping in the fore ground. Katara and Aang are in the background)

Sokka's got the right idea Aang. We're here, we're ready... (lays down on her mat) the best thing we can do now is get plenty of rest.

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Suki: so true.

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(close-up shot of Aang.)

Uh.. (looks around frantically but everyone seems to be asleep) I guess.

(Aang curls up on the grass. The camera zooms in on his face and the scene fades to black)

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Aang: WAIT! are we going to see my nightmares?

Me: yup.

Aang: hiw about daydr-

Me: you bet.

Aang memories from that day comes crashing into his head.

Aang: oh gosh.

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(The scene fade back in with a close shot of a large ornate Fire Nation symbol, it pans backward quickly, revealing that it is a large, ornate and intimidating door. The door busts open, revealing a boy with large hair, a headband and a yellow/orange jump suit with his back to us. He enters the room with a series of dramatic gestures. It is revealed that it is actually Aang who is in this strange garb. Aang takes an intense jump on to a rock tower. Cut to wider shot of Aang standing on the rock tower surrounded by floating broken pillars.)

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All: oh Wow?

Toph: werid looking dream.

Aang: nightmare.

Toph: yeah yeah.

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(continually making a series of comically fast and dramatic ninja-like moves during this speech) Your days of tyranny are over Fire Lord. I'm bringing you down!

(Cut to close shot of an elaborately dressed Fire Lord with Kabuki-like facial features. He is about to take a bite of a bundle of grapes, but stops and looks down at who ever is disturbing him. The camera pans out quickly to reveal he is actually a giant when compared to Aang and surrounded by a pit of fire.)

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Toph: what are you wearing?

Aang: I don't know.

Sokka: you hair looks crazy.

Aang: yeah.

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Really, (bends his giant face close to Aang's) how do you plan on doing that (cut to Aang's horrified face) when you're not even wearing pants!

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All: ?????

Sokka chuckles.

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(Aang looks down to discover this is true and screams. He quickly covers himself with a fuzzy white water tribe shield pulled out of thin air. )

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All: oh......

Sokka laughs.

Sokka: oh that's so embarassing. hahaha.

Aang: -_-

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(The camera pans out to a larger shot of Aang shaking with embarrassment. Suddenly, giant eyes begin to appear all around him.

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Katara: that's creepy.

Suki: I don't like the noise the eye's are making.

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The eye's close and disappear back into the walls. Cut to shot of the giant Fire Lord laughing as Aang slowly backs out the door. The Fire Lord raises his arms to the ceiling, while surrounded by flames, laughing heartily.)

: (cut to shot of Aang waking up startled) Uah! (Aang feels all around to make sure he is wearing pants, and then sighs with relief. Momo approaches him) It was just a dream Momo, I still have my pants.

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Toph: no kidding.

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Aang:(cut to wide ground shot of Aang getting up) Well, I better keep training.

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Toph: and this is where is starts.

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(Close shot of Aang with an extremely intense look on his face. The camera pans out to reveal he is kicking a bush. Wide shot of Momo looking on at Aang kicking the bush. Momo's ears go down in a gesture of displeasure and he curls up for sleep.)

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Suki: awww even momo is concerned.

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(Cut to wide shot of an elaborate Fire Nation palace. Cut to shot of servants carrying a robe, which is placed around and buttoned onto Prince Zuko.)

(a servant steps forward with a bowl) Fresh fruit, Prince Zuko? (Zuko gestures him away)

: (eagerly) May I wash your feet, sir? (Zuko again gestures a decline)

Head massage? (Zuko looks away)

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Sokka: Oooh I want to have one of those head messages.

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(close shot of some neatly bundled and steaming towels) Hot towel?

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Katara: I don't think I could live like this. All these questions and all. Sure it would be helpful but it's quite overwhelming.

Zuko: I feel the same way. I have gotten used to doing everything by myslef.

Sokka: I wouldn't mind if I had something like this but you know.

Toph: I can't live like that at least not anymore.

Suki: it would be kind of nice but I'm with katara and zuko on this.

Aang: I think I don't want to live live like that. It's just not me.

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(Zuko looks at this option a little longer, sighs and then picks up a towel, rubs his face and places it back on the plate of towels. The servant bows and smiles. Aerial shot of large elaborate gate opening as prince Zuko walks through. He is greeting by a large crowd of admirers and giggling females. Cut to shot of Zuko looking pleased. Cut to shot of a large, awkward looking girl. She gets overly excited by Zuko's entrance and must be restrained by the guards. Cut back to shot of Zuko, who is approached from behind by some servants carrying a beautiful and elaborate Palanquin.)

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Sokka: dang zuko is POPUlar.

Zuko: eh.

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Prince Zuko, is something wrong? You didn't take the palanquin.

I'm just going to Mai's house, it's not far.

It's not a Prince's place to walk anywhere, sir.

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Toph: I would absolutely hate that.

Sokka: I wouldn't after this LONG and hard trip I don't know If I want to walk.

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(Cut to close shot of a pensive Zuko, looking across the courtyard and then back at the Palanquin. He smirks and approaches the Palanquin. Cut to a wide shot of the Palanquin being carried a comically short distance to Mai's large residence. Cut to shot of Zuko sitting inside. He pulls back the curtain and smiles at Mai, who waves from a large ornate doorway.)

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All: oh.

Aang: when you meant it wasn't too far it really wasn't.

Zuko: yup.

Katara: she's literally next door.

Zuko: yeah.

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(Cut to shot of the top of a tree shaking. The camera pans down to reveal a shirtless Aang punching the tree. Cut to close shot of Aang looking extremely intense and concentrated on this task. Cut to a shot of the others slowly waking up from the sound of the punching. Katara, looking drowsy turns, toward Sokka. Sokka shrugs and Katara gets up. She approaches a very fierce looking Aang from behind.)

Hey, how long have you been up?

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Suki: the whole night.

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A couple hours. (Aang circles the tree, doing some fancy footwork and varying the type of punches) I got a lot more skills to refine if I'm going to fight Ozai.

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Suki: well you'll have plenty of time to do that.

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(close shot of Aang, very out of breath) You know there is such a thing as over-training.

(Aang gives a final extremely hard punch, which reverberates through his body in a comedic fashion. He falls backward, stuck in his punching position. After a pause, the all the leaves fall from the tree at once. Cut to shot of Katara looking on in disbelieve. Sokka's and Toph's heads pop out from behind her. Cut to close sot of Aang, eyes wide, with gray bags under them. He holds up his hands in a defensive pose. Leaves fly from his body.)

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Suki and Zuko: Oh gosh.

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You don't get it, do you? (Aang circles Katara, who looks half frightened half amused, as Aang does a variety of air punches and defensive maneuvers) My form is bad. I'm sloppy. And I still don't know any firebending, not even the basics.

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Zuko: you don't need firebending during the invasion but your sloppy cause YOU'RE SLEEPY.

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(Aang's eye twitches. Cut to shot of Katara, moving Aang's hand away from her face with a worried smile. Cut to shot of Sokka relaxing on the grass looking at his map.)

That's okay Aang. The eclipse will block all firebending anyway, you don't need to know any. (he looks toward Aang) Plus it's a stupid element.

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Zuko: 🤨🤨🤨

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Okay, (raises his arms and then begins a series of comic and sloppy attempts at chops, punches and kicks) well, I still have to work on everything else. I'd better spend the whole day training.

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Suki: yeah...NO.

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(Aang bows quickly toward everyone and then creates an air ball and rides away on it. Cut to Sokka looking worried and then hiding his face behind the map. Toph sits bored in the background, totally unaffected by everything that has gone on that morning.)

(Cut to night. Aang slinks back to camp in a zombie like fashion. He turns to the camera, gives a long yawn and falls back onto the ground.)

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Zuko: hopefully your going to sleep now.

Suki: I don't think so.

Zuko: why?

Suki: well the episode is called nightmares and daydreams.

Zuko: I know so?

Suki: nightmaressssss and daydreamsssss.

Zuko: ohhhhh right.

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(wide shot of the group on the cliffside) Good night Katara. Good night Sokka. Good night Toph. Good night Appa. Good night Momo. Good night Appa and Momo.

(A large speech bubble emerges with a very angry chibi Toph inside.)

(yelling) Go to sleep already!

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they all chuckle.

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(Cut to Aang cringing, and then laying back relaxed. His eyes slowly close and the camera pans upward into darkness.)

(Cut to shot of Aang busting through the same large Fire Nation door from his previous dream. He is again dressed in odd clothing. This time he has chains, a high collared yellow vest, a headband, boots and spiky hair. He snaps, and dramatic fog enters through the doors. He runs through the room and jumps to the rock tower opposite the fire lord.)

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Sokka: Really? What is with clothing?!

Aang: I don't know.

Toph: maybe it's crazy clothing for how crazy your getting.

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(He points coolly) Your days of tyranny are over Fire Lord. I'm bringing you down... and this time I brought pants. (The camera pans down to reveal the chains are meant to lock on the pants)

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They all chuckle at the line.

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(Cut to very close shot of the Fire Lord) So it seems. (He stands up and a giant abacus falls from the ceiling) But are you prepared for your mathematics test?

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Toph: really? Math test?

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(close shot of Aang in a panic) Math test?! Oh no! (he turns toward the camera) I forgot all about the math test! (Aang falls through the air yelling, and is crushed between the giant abacus beads.

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Zuko: dang. Oh I hate abacus's.

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Aang: He wakes up startled, sweat dripping from his brow.) I've got to be ready!

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Suki: here we go again.

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(Aang gets up and walks away. Cut to shot of Aang circling some sleeping Koala-Sheep, practicing various defensive moves. )

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Suki: what are you going to do to the koala-sheep?

Aang: nothing.

Suki: oh okay.

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(Katara approaches.)

Aang, it's the middle of the night. You need to go back to sleep.

(ground level shot of Aang looking wild and still concentrated on the Koala-Sheep) But I forgot my pants and my math test.

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Katara: I get what you mean now.

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(Katara sighs, and then breathes in deeply, she moves forward and grabs Aang's shoulders. Aang's very bloodshot eyes turn toward her) Aang, sleep. Please...for me.

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Suki: hahaha She used the for me card.

Toph: Twinkletoes will never say no to that card.

Katara:...

Suki: katara knows what she's doing.

Toph: no kidding.

Katara:...

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(Shot of Aang looking confused and rubbing his eyes. Katara leads him back toward their camp. A Koala-Sheep bleats after them.

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Suki: awwww

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Cut to very wide aerial shot of the Fire Nation Palace and it's surroundings area. Cut to shot of Zuko and Mai lying down together on an ornate couch.)

Tell me, if you can have anything you wanted right now, what would it be?

Hmm. A big fancy fruit tart, with rose petals on top.

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All but Zuko: uhhhhhh?

Sokka: that sounds so out of character.

Aang: it does.

Katara: I mean it doesn't mean mai like color stuff she can't like rose petals.

Zuko: Mai like black yeah but she likes color too just not too much.

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(cut to close up shot of Zuko and Mai) You know, being a prince and all, I might just be able to make that happen.

(giggles) That would be impressive.

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Sokka: sorry it's just werid seeing you too both smiling and laughing.

Zuko: is there something wrong with that?

Sokka: none of course. Just needs getting used to.

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(Shot of two fire nation servants in a curtained doorway. The back of the couch lies in the center of the scene. Zuko and Mai sit up come into view.)

Do you think (the guards turn towards the couple and bow) you can find a fresh fruit tart for the lady, with rose petals on top.

(shot of the two guards bowing) Excellent choice, sir.

(close shot of Zuko and Mai. The camera begins to pan out slowly) I guess there are some perks that come with being royalty. (they lie back down) Though, there is annoying stuff too, like that all-day war meeting coming up.

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Sokka: is this the war meeting you told us about?

Aang: I mean it has to be.

Zuko: it is.

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(Zuko sits up completely, surprised, and turns toward Mai, who is also surprised) War meeting? What are you talking about?

Azula mentioned something, (Zuko turns away and looks down. Cut to close shot of Mai speaking to a disgruntled Zuko) I assumed you were going too.

(closes his eyes and turns away) I guess I wasn't invited.

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Sokka: well obivously you were.

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(Aerial shot of the rendezvous point where Aang and the others are staying. Cut to a close up shot of Aang asleep on the grass.)

Wake up Aang.

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Suki: oh gosh.

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(Aang's eyes begin to open. Cut to an out of focus swaying shot of the Fire Lord standing over Aang Wake up sleepy-head. Rise and shine. You over-slept. (The Fire Lord bends in close, and then even closer) You missed the invasion.

(He laughs and then the shot pans out to reveal he is riding on a flying hippo pig. The creature breaths fire and flies skywards as the Fire Lord laughs menacingly.

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All but aang: okay that was weird.

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Cut to shot of Aang waking up in a panic. He turns to Sokka who is still sound asleep and shakes him vigorously.)

Sokka get up! I need to know what day it is! (Aang pulls on Sokka's eyelids and lips in a comedic fashion.)

What?! (jumps up) Who's talking?! (Sokka thrusts forward with his sword, but hits a rock head-on before he can complete his swing. He falls back on to his sleeping mat, his body stiff, frozen in the swinging position)

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They all chuckled.

Sokka: that really hurt you know.

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(cut to Toph sitting up, Katara visible in the background) Relax, it's still two days before the invasion.

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Suki: wow already two days have past.

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