Me: okay are you guys ready?

Zuko: kinda.

Sokka: YES.

Aang: Yes

Katara: I'm ready.

Toph: sure.

Suki: YUP.

Me: okay lets start!

_

BOOK 3: FIRE

CHAPTER 12: THE WESTERN AIR TEMPLE

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Aang,Zuko,Sokka,Katara and toph look at each other then back at the screen.

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(The episode opens up to an overhead shot of Appa still in his armor and the rest of the group walking slowly on a rocky and barren land with the Sun blazing above their heads. Cut to a frontal shot of Toph with her head down, trudging along with Haru and Sokka walking behind her with their eyes closed.

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Suki: awww you guys look so sad.

Sokka: we are.

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Cut to Aang walking tiredly with Momo resting on his head with a similar expression. Cut to a frontal shot of Teo wheeling his wheelchair with The Duke following behind him. Both of them are hanging their heads down dejectedly. Switch to a sideview shot of Katara walking beside her brother with the same expression as the rest of the group.)

: This is humiliating.

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Zuko: I mean of course it is.

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: Do you mean getting thoroughly spanked by the Fire Nation, (Katara turns her head towards her brother) or having to walk all the way to the Western Air Temple?

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Katara: both.

Suki: I get that.

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: (She turns her head back) Both.

: Sorry guys, but Appa (he stretches his hand out and affectionately scratches the area under Appa's eye) gets tired carrying all these people.

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Suki: awwww poor appa.

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(Cut to a frontal shot of the whole group)

: I wonder how the rest of the troops are.

: (Cut to a close up shot of Haru's face) They're probably on their way to a prison. Seems like my dad just got out, now he's going back in.

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Aang: poor haru's dad.

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(Cut to an overhead shot of Sokka and The Duke)

: I miss Pipsqueak.

: I miss not having blisters (Cut to an overhead shot behind Appa) on my feet.

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Sokka: yeah I'm so glad we've been just relaxing on these such comfy chairs.

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(Cut to a close up of the rocky ground as Toph's foot stomps into screen. Cut to a close up of Toph with a relieved expression on her face.)

: Hey, we're here. I can feel it.

(Camera pans out to show the group stopping near the edge of a cliff. The camera pans to the right to show a vast empty space filled with white mist in between the cliff they're standing on and the next.)

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Suki: it's pretty amazing on how the airbenders built it.

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:(off screen) Uh, I think your feet need their eyes checked.

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They all chuckle.

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: (off screen) No, (Cut back to Aang with Sokka in the background) she's right, (Sokka looks up at Aang, stunned) we are here.

(Sokka looks around and brings up both his arms to show that he can't see anything. Cut to a frontal shot of the cliff with the group standing above it.)

: Wow, (Camera slowly pans down to rows of rocky protrusions) it's amazing.

(Camera pans down further to show a multi-tiered structure of an upside down pagoda. Camera zooms out rapidly to show more upside down pagodas of the Western Air Temple with a couple of statues seemingly fixed into the cliffs.

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Toph: it was amazing to see it with my feet cause I could see every single thing but it's also great to see it with my actual eyes.

Aang: I'm glad you are able to see it.

Toph: me too.

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Cut to a close up side view of one of the pagodas as a rope drops into screen. Zuko is then seen slowly sliding down the rope with his hands.

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Suki: oh zuko.

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Cut to the back of Zuko's head as he turns around. Cut to a large statue of a female airbender as Zuko stares at it. The camera follows him as he continues to make his descent. Cut to a wide side view shot of 3 statues as Zuko stops and swings himself on the rope, gaining momentum with each arc. He jumps off at the 4th swing. Cut to an area on the ground as Zuko lands into screen, balancing himself with a hand on the floor. He straightens up and looks around.

The screen flashes white to a flashback. Cut to a frontal shot of the cliff similar to the one Toph and the group were on earlier. Camera pans down to show the various natural structures through the mist of the temple.)

: (off screen) What a stunning view.

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Aang: very much.

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(Cut to a frontal shot of Zuko with Iroh behind him. Both are in their Season 1 outfits. Zuko has a large, white bandage over the scarred side of his face with a cloth strap secured in place.)

: The only view I'm interested in seeing (Iroh's expression changes into sadness) is the Avatar in chains.

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They all chuckle.

Aang: and you did but that was when I was captured by zhao.

Zuko: yeah I guess.

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: (He takes a step towards his nephew) You know, (Cut to an overhead shot of the 2 standing at the edge of a platform in front of the 3 statues present day Zuko landed on earlier) the Avatar hasn't been seen for a 100 years. (The camera pans down slowly) The chances of finding him here are very slim. (Cut to a shot of Zuko's bandaged side)

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Zuko: Well look at where we are now.

Aang chuckles.

Aang: yeah

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: First, we'll check each of the air temples. (takes a few steps forward, looking around) Then we'll scour the world, searching even the most remote locations until we find him.

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Katara: and he just happened to be the southern water tribe the whole time.

Aang: yup.

Zuko: underwater.

Sokka: until I made katara mad.

Katara: again.

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: (Iroh looks on, concerned) Prince Zuko, it's only been a week since your banishment. (Cut to a far back view shot of the 2) You should take some time to heal and rest.

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Suki: wow it's been only week

Zuko: yup

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: (turns around and raises his voice) What else would I expect to hear from the laziest man in the Fire Nation?

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All: :(

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(Cut to a close up of Iroh's slightly appalled face as he looks down and sighs) The only way (Cut back to a frontal shot of uncle and nephew) to regain my honor is to find the Avatar. So I will.

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Sokka: you did regain your honor.

Aang: by choosing what was right.

Zuko: and now I must regain the honor of the fire nation.

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(Iroh glances up at Zuko, turns, and walks away. Cut back to present day Zuko with his eyes closed. He groans and rubs his nose bridge with his fingers.

Appa growls off screen and Zuko looks towards his left, gasping in surprise and runs off screen. Cut to Zuko taking cover from behind a pillar as Appa flies into screen. Zuko crouches down.

Cut to a frontal shot of Zuko's face as he looks on from behind the pillar. He proceeds to stand up and walk off screen.

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Suki: so when are you going to meet them?

Zuko: soon.

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Camera pans to the left to show him running up a flight of stairs.

Cut to a shot of an hour glass shaped fountain. Cut to Teo and The Duke looking up in wonder.)

: It's so different from the Northern Air Temple. (Camera pans to a flight of stairs linking to a bridge) I wonder if there are any secret rooms.

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Aang: there quite a lot.

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: (Haru runs into screen and waves a hand, beckoning the others to join him) Let's go check it out.

(Cut to The Duke and Teo as they enthusiastically make their way off screen. Aang runs after them but is stopped by Katara who blocks him with his staff.)

: You guys go... (Aang catches his glider and Katara lays a hand on his shoulder) I think we need to talk about some things.

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suki: oooh. hehe

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(Cut to the top of the bridge as Haru and The Duke help Teo onto it. As Haru sets Teo's wheelchair down, Teo wheels off rapidly.)

: I'll race you, Duke.

: (annoyed) I told you, it's "The Duke."

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Zuko: the duke I'll remember that.

Sokka: I thought you knew?

Zuko: I keep forgetting the the part.

Sokka; oh.

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(Haru and The Duke proceed to run after Teo. Cut to a close up of a disappointed Aang.)

: Why can't I go?

: (Cut to a serious Katara) We need to decide what we're gonna do now. And since you're the Avatar, maybe you should be a part of this.

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suki: oh...

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(Cut to a flat, slightly broken down stone bench as Aang leans his staff against it and sits down and crosses his arms grouchily.)

: Fair enough. So, what's the new plan?

(Cut to a wide shot of the Gaang with each of them sitting on stone benches except for Toph who is sitting on a rather tall stone column)

: Well, if you ask me, the new plan is the old plan. You just need to master all four elements, and confront the Fire Lord before the comet comes.

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Sokka: that's amost basically what we did.

Katara: aang fought during the comet so it's nothing like what we did.

Sokka: but...yeah it's not.

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: (sarcastically) Oh, yeah, that's great. (He picks up a pebble and tosses it into the air nonchalantly) No problem, (He continues fidgeting) I'll just do that. (He lays the pebble on the bench and flicks it away.)

: Aang, no one said it's gonna be easy.

: (continuing his little tantrum) Well, it's not even gonna be possible. Where am I supposed to get a firebending teacher?

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Suki:I 'll give you a hint the name starts with a letter Z and he's really near by.

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: (deep in thought) We could look for Jeong Jeong.

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Zuko: with uncle iroh.

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: Yeah right, (He lies down on the bench without a care) like we'll ever run into Jeong Jeong again.

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Sokka: I mean we do.

Toph: in ba sing se

Sokka: yeah.

Toph: during he comet.

Sokka: yeah yeah I know.

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: (Cut to a sideview of a confused Toph) Who's - Oh, (She folds her arms irritably) never mind. If it's important, I'll find out.

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they all chuckle.

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(Cut to another wide shot of the Gaang from a different angle as Aang stands up with his glider in hand)

: Oh well, guess we can't come up with anybody. Why don't we (He jumps over Sokka's bench) just take a nice tour (He proceeds to run off screen as Momo follows him) around the temple?

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Suki: oh come on aang.

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(Cut to a shot of the mist as Aang's boot runs into screen and he unfolds his glider and leaps off the cliff. Momo flies into screen and joins his master in the mist as both of them fly upwards and off screen.)

: (off screen) What's up with him? (Cut to the remaining 3)

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Katara: wasn't it obvious what was up with him?

Toph: everyone's not like you Katara.

Katara:....

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: There's got (brings up his hands to his chin and thinks) to be someone who can teach him firebending.

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Suki: Give me Z give me a U give me a K and give me a O what does that spell ZUKO!

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(Katara and Toph look down dejectedly as the camera slowly pans up and fades to a smiling Zuko in a forested area.)

: Hello, (raises an arm in greeting) Zuko here.

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All but zuko: ???

Zuko: oh no.

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But I guess (rubs his hand against the back of his head nervously) you probably already know me... sort of. Uh...so, the thing is, (He puts his arm down and looks to the side hesitantly) I have a lot of firebending experience, and I'm (places an arm on chest with pride) considered to be pretty good at it. (He continues smiling) Well, you've seen me... you know, when I was attacking you? (His eyes widen at his verbal mistake) Uh, yeah...I guess (places his fingers against his forehead in embarrassment) I should apologize for that. But anyway,

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All but zuko: awww zuko.

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(waves an arm to the side dismissively) I'm good now.

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Aang: you sure are

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(clenches both fists and places one on his chest while the other arm is raised) I mean, I thought I was good before, but now I realize I was bad. (He gets visibly uncomfortable and drops his arms into a slouch) Ugh, but anyway... I think it's time I joined your group, and taught (straightens up with a sincere expression on his face) the Avatar firebending.

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all but zuko: awwww

(The camera slowly zooms in on him. Cut to a sideview of Zuko to reveal him talking to a badger frog sitting on a large log. )

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all but zuko: oh.

Suki: I thought-

Zuko: nope.

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(The tarp from Zuko's war balloon can be seen in the background and it has been used as a form of shelter. Cut to a frontal shot of the badger frog as it croaks.)

: (Cut to a close up of a frustrated Zuko) Well, what's your answer?!

(Cut to a sideview of Zuko as the frog ribbits and hops on Zuko's head before jumping off screen. Zuko slouches dejectedly.)

: Yeah, that's what I'd say too. (Cut to a far shot of Zuko's campsite as he raises his arm to his head in despair)

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all but zuko: awww. :(

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How am I supposed to convince these people I'm on their side?

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Sokka: it's going to take a lot.

Zuko: I know that.

Toph: especially for katara.

Zuko: haha no kidding.

Katara: :/

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What would Uncle do? (He proceeds to imitate Iroh's voice and pretends to hold an imaginary beard on his chin as he starts pacing.)

"Zuko, you have to look within yourself, to save yourself (He releases his finger and points) from your other self. (turns and paces in the opposite direction as he raises his finger as he pretends to be lecturing) Only then will your true self reveal itself." (Zuko sighs and presses a hand to his forehead) Even when I'm talking for him, I can't figure out what he means.

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SokkaL in the way you put it sounds very confusing.

Aang: I kind of understood it but it's confusing.

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What would Azula do? (Zuko raises the pitch of his voice and Azula's theme starts to play in the background.)

"Listen, Avatar, I can join your group (maneuvers his body into a position he thinks is feminine) or I can do something unspeakably horrible (folds his arms arrogantly) to you and your friends. Your choice." (stops and sits down) I guess I'm not that good at impersonations.

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Katara: no you totally got the azula one.

Aang: yeah.

SokkaL yup.

Toph: more or less.

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(The badger frog leaps in front of Zuko and croaks. Cut back to a wide shot of the upside down pagodas as Appa flies underneath them. Cut to a close up of the spires and Appa and Aang fly around them. Cut to Appa's saddle to show Katara and Toph inside it while Sokka steers towards a gliding Aang.)

: Aang, can we talk about you learning firebending now?

: (Cut to a close up of Aang as he feigns deaf) What? The wind is too loud in my ears. Check out this loop.

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suki and zuko: 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♂️

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(Cut to an overhead shot of the mist as Aang maneuvers his glider into a loop and Momo mimics his actions in perfect sync.)

: (straining his voice against the rushing wind) Aang, (Appa continues to fly behind Aang) I think we should be making some plans about our future. (Cut back to a shot of the hour glass fountain as Aang and Appa land on the platform.)

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Zuko: definatly.

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: Ok, we can do that while I show you the giant Pai Sho table. (Cut to a frontal shot of an excited Aang as the remainder of the Gaang descend from Appa behind him) Oh, you're gonna love the all-day echo chamber.

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Suki: sounds cool but that can wait.

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: (Cut to a close up of Toph as she turns serious) I think that'll have to wait.

(Camera zooms out to show the Gaang looking at her quizzically. Toph points behind as Appa moves aside to reveal a shadow. The camera pans up to show the shadow belonging to Zuko. Cut to a close up of the Gaang as their expression changes from surprise to anger.)

: (Cut to a close up of Zuko's face) Hello, (raises his arm up in greeting) Zuko here.

(A sound effect of awkwardness chimes in the background. )

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Suki: oh how cutely awkward.

Zuko: o(*￣︶￣*)o

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(Scene returns to a sideview shot of Zuko's confrontation with the Gaang back at the Western Air Temple. Cut to Aang as he raises his staff in an attacking position and the camera pans across the group to show the rest of them doing the same as well. Cut to a frontal shot of Zuko.)

: Hey, I heard you guys flying around down there, so I just thought (raises his shoulders) I'd wait for you here.

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They all chukle.

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(Appa enters the screen and growls at Zuko as he takes a cautious step backwards and covers his face with his arms. Appa then proceeds to lick his back. Cut to a surprised Momo and Aang as he lowers his staff slightly. Cut back to Zuko as Appa licks his face affectionately. Zuko wipes off the slobber with his arm.)

: I know you must be surprised to see me here. (Cut to a sideview shot of the Gaang as they wear hostile expressions on their faces)

: Not really, since you've followed us all over the world.

_

everyone but zuko chuckles.