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Me: ok guys we are at the last episode of season 1 u guys ready.

All: yes!

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BOOK 1: WATER

CHAPTER 20: THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH PART 2.

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Sokka: ok let's get this over with.

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(Opening shot of four massive fireballs arcing over the Water City walls and into the city. It is daylight and the battle for the survival of the Northern Water Tribe has begun in earnest. Cut to an overhead shot from behind the citadel. The four fireballs land at various points within the city and explode. The camera pans back to the sanctuary, where Appa and the others are. Cut to a close up shot of the black and white fish circling each other in the sanctuary pond. Katara begins to speak from o.c. at first, then cut to wide shot of her, Yue, Sokka, Momo and Appa. Katara is kneeling at the pool.)

Katara: I can't believe I lost him.

Sokka: You did everything you could and now we need to do everything we can to get him back.

(Sokka leads Yue over to Appa. Cut to a shot of Katara's back. She turns to look at her brother o.c., tears brimming over her eyes.)

Sokka (continuing from o.c.) : Zuko can't have gotten far. We'll find him. Aang's gonna be fine.

Katara (getting up): Okay.

(She walks by Momo, who looks out over the pond. He chitters softly and sadly. )

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Suki: aww poor momo.

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(Cut to Katara now standing atop Appa, Sokka at the reigns, Yue beside her.)

Katara: It's all right. You stay here, Momo, in case Aang comes back.

Sokka: Yip! Yip!

(Appa launches himself into the air and out of the sanctuary into the frozen, snowing wasteland above. Cut to Appa flying over the ice dunes, the snowing coming down hard from the dark, gray sky.

Shift to a long trail in the snow that goes to the horizon, then cut to a shot of Zuko's feet tramping through the drifting snow, Aang's feet dragging behind him. After a few shots of Zuko dragging him through the blizzard, the shot cuts to a close up of Aang's face. His eyes are closed, but his tattoo arrow on his head glows white. The screen flashes white for an instant.

When the picture returns, it is of a split second close up of Aang's face. The camera almost instantly zooms backward to show sitting cross legged on a platform in the middle of a bamboo swamp. He is in a meditative pose as his eyes open. Cut to a long shot of Aang sitting on the platform amidst the swamp. A white bird flies by in an instant. Aang gets up and runs off the platform Cut to a shot of Aang's upper body as he looks around the swamp. Behind him is a small island. A temple like structure, like the one behind the pond in the Water Tribe sanctuary, but thicker and cruder, rests on top of the small island. Underneath the cross bar of the structure a figure sits cross-legged.)

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Suki: woah that's the spirit world.

Katara: it looks like a swamp.

Aang: well that's one part of the spirit world. Apparently there are some much more to see.

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Mystical Monkey: Ohmm... Ohmmmm...

(Aang hears the chanting and runs up the island to the see a white haired monkey sitting in meditative repose. He wears a brown monk's shawl.)

Aang: Hello? I'm sorry to disturb you, but I just really need to find the Moon and the Ocean spirits.

Mystical Monkey (without opening his eyes): Go... away.

(He pauses for a moment, then opens one eye at Aang.)

Mystical Monkey: You're still here?

Aang: Yes! I need -

Mystical Monkey (shutting his eyes tightly): Ohmm!! Ohmmm!

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They all chuckle

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(A blue will-o'-the-wisp enters from the right, emitting a slight crystalline noise.)

Mystical Monkey: Perhaps that thing will help you? Chase it!

(Aang runs after it. The mystical monkey keeps his eyes shut for a second more, then opens one to confirm Aang's departure. He shakes his head.)

Mystical Monkey (sighing): Finally!

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They all chuckle again.

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(Cut to Aang chasing the will-o'-the-wisp through the swamp. He chases it up a tree and out onto a large branch. He catches it, a huge smile on his face. As he does, the tree branch liquefies underneath him and he falls, screaming, to the water below and lands with a splash. As he lies in the water the will-o'-the-wisp gets away from him.)

Aang (getting up): Come back!

(He moves to follow the will-o'-the-wisp, but stops to look at the water. As the ripples from the splash dissipate an image forms where his own reflection should be. It is Avatar Roku.)

Avatar Roku: Hello, Aang.

Aang: Roku!

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Suki: woah.

Sokka: cool

Zuko: and kinda weird.

Aang: weird how?

Zuko: I don't know how it's just for me.

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(The screen flashes white and returns with a shot of Zuko carrying Aang through the snow. After some steps, the ice underneath Zuko begins to crack and cave in. Within a few seconds most of the ground around him is collapsing. He begins to run with Aang on his back. He manages to keep just ahead of the yawning hole that his footsteps over thin ice have caused to appear. The hole finally stops expanding as Zuko trips and falls. They are now on the lip of a newly formed canyon. He looks ahead to see a rock ledge overhanging a small cave.)

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Suki: that's was close.

Zuko: too close.

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Zuko: Shelter!

(Cut to a shot from inside the cave. Zuko appears, dragging Aang inside by the collar. Outside the blizzard continues. He dumps him at the back of the cave and ties his hands behind his back with some of the rope he is carrying. Cut to a zoom in close up shot of Aang, his tattoo aglow. The screen flashes white and when it returns we once again see Aang looking down at the reflection in the water of the Spirit World swamp.)

Aang: Roku, the Water Tribe is under attack. I need to find the Ocean and Moon spirits!

(Cut to a profile shot of Aang looking at the water. Suddenly, maroon colored water fountains up and solidifies into the shape of Avatar Roku.)

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All but aang: 😮😮😮😮😮

Sokka: that was cool.

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Avatar Roku: The Ocean and the Moon are ancient spirits. They crossed over from the Spirit World to the Mortal World very near the beginning. There is only one spirit I know of who is old enough to remember.

Aang: Who?

Avatar Roku: The spirit's name is Koh. But he is very dangerous. They call him... the Face Stealer.

(Cut to close up of Aang looking shocked and frightened. Then cut back to an overhead shot of the two.)

Avatar Roku: When you speak with him you must be very careful to show no emotion at all - not the slightest expression or he will steal your face!

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Katara: talk about scary.

Suki: yea.

Sokka: did u really have to go to that guy koh.

Aang: you'll see

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(Aang forces the fear from his face and nods to Roku stoically.

The screen flashes white and we return to the frozen wastes where the blizzard rages. Appa's forepaw enters the picture and slams deep into the snow. He rumbles. Cut to Sokka looking out over the canyon created by Zuko and Aang's passage. He turns around to look at Katara, her eyes wide with concern and fear. She lowers her face, fearing the worst.

A long shot of Appa and the others is quickly replaced by one of Zuko blowing fire into his hands to keep warm. He looks over at Aang.)

Zuko: I finally have you. But I can't get you home because of this blizzard. (He walks over to the cave entrance to look out at the falling snow, his back to the camera) There's always something. Not that you would understand. .You're like my sister. Everything always...came easy to her. She's a firebending prodigy - and everyone adores her.

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Aang: everything didn't always come easy to me.

Zuko: well I kinda see that now.

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Zuko:(Cut to a frontal view of Zuko) My father says she was born lucky. He says I was lucky to be born.

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Katara: did he really say that.

Zuko: sadly yes.

Everyone: 🙁🙁🙁🙁

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Zuko:(Cut to view of his back again.) I don't need luck though, I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight and that's made me strong. It's made me who I am.

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Aang: yea Zuko!

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(Cut to a shot of Fire Nation assault on the city below. A line of Fire Navy ships abuts the outer wall, which continue launching fireballs deep into the unoccupied portions of the city. The shot pans left to reveal that the invaders have penetrated the outer wall with infantry and armor. The Water Tribe still holds one of the towers in the foreground, but it is clear the defenders are losing this battle.

Cut to a close up shot of a couple Fire Nation war rhinoceros, each with small catapults on either side of its saddle. One after the other the soldiers on the rhinoceros fire their catapults.

The scene shifts again to a wide shot covering the middle half of the city where the secondary wall still holds, a thin moat of water in front of it. The defenders are few, however, and a deadly rain of fireballs enters the frame, spreading destruction deep inside the city. Cut to a close up of rank upon rank of Fire Nation tanks, firing as they advance toward the secondary wall.

The defenders rally atop the secondary wall, where a line of waterbenders returns fire. Right under the top of the wall is a line of portholes through which water pours into the moat below. The waterbenders motion in unison and the gentle streams become mighty jets of water. Two tanks are washed away, but several others behind them fire massive grappling hooks into the secondary wall. The hooks penetrate the wall clear through to the other side as the waterbenders scatter. The tanks with the grappling hooks then begin to reel back on the lines. The tanks are anchored in the ice to prevent the tank from just hauling itself to the wall. The wall cracks slowly, then gives way as more fireballs fly overhead. A huge breach has been opened, revealing a war rhinoceros and other infantry ready to pour through.

Cut to a wide shot from the p.o.v. of the outer wall. Three more tanks on the left pull down large sections of the secondary wall. The space in between the primary and secondary walls is brimming with Fire Nation soldiers, tanks and rhinoceros. Numerous fireballs have landed in the residential section beyond and parts of the city are on fire.

The scene shifts to show the ornate prow of Zhao's flagship and the other surrounding vessels.)

Iroh (voice over): I don't need to remind you we have a time limit. (Cut to Iroh standing next to Zhao on the bridge's observation deck) If we don't defeat the Water Tribe before the full moon rises they will be undefeatable.

Zhao (smiling evilly): I assure you I have everything under control. I intend to remove the moon as a factor.

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Suki: unknown I can't believe he actually did that.

Sokka: I can 😭

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Iroh (incredulously): Remove the moon!? How?

Hahn (entering from behind, spear in hand): Admiral Choi! (He takes off his helmet and throws it aside.) Prepare to meet your fate!

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Everyone: ............... hahahhahahahahhahahhahahhahahaha.

Sokka: that's what I get jerk

Zuko: are u sure he knows how to fight.

Aang: I don't so.

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(He rushes forward to Zhao, who casually throws him overboard. Hahn screams as he falls o.c. and then a loud splash is heard. Iroh looks down and shakes his head, then turns back to Zhao.)

Zhao (ignoring the pathetic assassination attempt): As I was saying...years ago I stumbled upon a great and powerful secret...the identity of the Moon Spirit's mortal form.

Iroh (shocked): What?

(Cut to a close up of Zhao's face in profile. His eyes are closed, a cruel smile on his lips. The screen pans right and fades to the show the memory Zhao begins to describe.)

Zhao: I was a young Lieutenant serving under General Shu in the Earth Kingdom...

(Fade to a long shot of Zhao sitting at a desk in a windowless room, perhaps a basement of some sort as stairs lead up in the foreground. In front of Zhao, the candle on the desk illuminates a map of the middle Earth Kingdom on the wall in front of the desk.)

Zhao: I discovered a hidden library, underground in fact.

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Sokka, katara,Aang and toph: 😮😮😮😮😮😮

Sokka: that that's-

Katara wan shi tongs-

Aang: library.

Sokka: so he's the firebender that wan shi tong was talking about.

Toph:I know what the library is but who's wan shi tong.

Katara: he's the guy or bird that tried to kill us.

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Zhao: I tore through scroll after scroll. One of them contained a detailed illustration and the words "moon" and "ocean." I knew then that these spirits could be found - and killed. (The memory ends with a close up of Zhao's eyes, then fade to the present.) And that it was my destiny to do so.

Iroh (angry): Zhao, the Spirits are not to be trifled with!

Zhao (patronizingly): Yes, yes, I know you fear the Spirits, Iroh. I've heard rumors about your journey into the Spirit World. But the Ocean and Moon gave up their immortality to become a part of our world - (cut to a shot behind the two, showing the assault on the city) and now they will face the consequences!

(The screen flashes white again, transitioning back to the Spirit World. Here was see a long shot of Aang hopping across the top of a line of wooden pylons on his way to a huge gnarled tree in the background. The tree is partially silhouetted by a light source behind it that is too dim to be the sun, but too bright to be the moon. Aang stops as a monstrous coyote or other dog like creature passes behind the tree - it must be the size of small mountain. Aang continues his approach to the base of the tree. There is a dark hole at the base of the tree. Aang approaches the hole fearfully. Cut to Aang's p.o.v. as the camera zooms in on the hole, but it stops short as the a monkey's screech is heard. The camera pans left to show a monkey sitting on the root of the tree, looking away from the camera.)

Aang (with relief): Oh! Whew! You're just a curly tailed blue nose.

(Cut back to the monkey, who turns around to reveal that it has no face. Aang starts in fright, then drops all emotion from his face. He breathes deeply.)

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Everyone: aaaaahhhhhh!

Sokka: wow that's totally not creepy at all. Not creepy at all.

Zuko: what Are u talking about.

Suki: gosh that so creepy.

Katara: yea no kidding.

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Aang (in unison with voice over from Roku): Show no fear. Show no emotion at all.

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Toph: that gonna be hard.

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(the scene ends at 1:20)

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

(The show returns to shot of the Koh's tree silhouetted against the unseen backlight. As the shot pans down the scene fades to show Aang descending the staircase into Koh's lair. The lair opening is still seen above, light pouring in through it. The lair is dark, though not the pitch black scene at the entrance. Roots stick out from the ceiling, but no creature stirs.)

Aang: Hello? I'm looking for a spirit named "Koh."

(As Aang says the spirit's name, some "roots" on the ceiling begin to move. Aang looks around, sensing movement, but sees nothing. Cut to a close up of Aang's face, that pans slightly left, leaving the right hand portion of the screen over his shoulder momentarily empty. A moment later a white face appears, with grey patches around its eyes and luscious, blood red lips. The face is vaguely clown like. Cut to a close up of the lips, which smile. Cut to a profile of Aang, his face emotionless. He is prepared. Suddenly, a huge cockroach like body arcs around Aang and appears in front of his face. The white, clown like face of Koh is inches away from Aang. Around the spirit's face are eight legs that are attached to a centipede like body.)

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Sokka: did anyone get shivers down their spine.

All but aang: me!

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Koh: Welcome!

(Aang's face remains inscrutable. Cut to a long shot. The monster hangs from the ceiling in front of Aang, who bows with his hands clasped in front of him in a gesture of honor.)

Aang: Thank you.

(Koh wheels around Aang to look at him from the back. His voice is low, melodic, almost purring. His voice oozes danger.)

Koh: My old friend, the Avatar. It's been a long time.

Aang: You know me?

Koh (now facing the camera, away from Aang): How could I forget...