Me: ok so are you guys ready for the next one.

Suki: in the last episode the last scene was the drill right?

Me: yup.

Sokka: then yes I think we are ready.

Me: ok lets start.

_

BOOK 2: EARTH

CHAPTER 13: THE DRILL

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Toph: okay here we go.

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(Opening shot of a group of Fire Nation tanks rumbling across the barrens, escorting a gigantic vehicle. When the shot pulls back it is seen to be a titanic tunneling machine, 10 stories high and stretching back a great distance. The tanks flanking it appear as little more than insignificant toys by comparison. In another shot we are shown large segments of the drill's body pushing forward under steam power, punching steam driven spikes into the ground, then contracting again to gain forward movement.)

( The camera pans fully back to show the entire length of the great Drill, a vast black iron cylinder creeping forward like a caterpillar, the tanks beside it ant-like. The shot switches to a top view, as a tower topped by a command center levers upward from the drill's back. Cut to the inside of the c.c., where Azula is shown seated on a throne, flanked by Mai and Ty Lee.)

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Suki: oh of course azula is here.

Zuko: She is always doing something.

Sokka: mai looks bored.

Zuko: she usually is.

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(stepping into scene to address Azula) This drill is a feat of scientific ingenuity and raw destructive power. Once it tunnels through the wall, our troops will storm their city. The Earth kingdom will finally fall, and you can claim Ba Sing Se in the name of your father. Nothing can stop us.

_

suki: well that obviously didn't work.

Zuko: nope

_

(looking away from a periscope) Hmm. What about those muscle-y guys down there?

(She looks back into periscope, then cut to a view through the periscope, where Earth kingdom benders are seen dropping into trenches. Switches to exterior view, showing a series of large trenches dug in the shadow of the wall, with the Fire nation forces approaching in the distance.)

(walks up and sharply raps the periscope, startling Ty Lee) Please, the drill's metal shell is impervious to any earthbending attack.

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toph: not anymore.😏😏

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: (condescendingly) Oh, I'm sure it is War Minister Qin. But just to be on the safe side... (in commanding tone) Mai, and Ty Lee, take the earthbenders out!

(twiddling knives) Finally, something to do.

_

sokka: yup defiantly bored.

_

(Cut to a scene of Katara, Sokka and Toph escorting Than and family out of a rocky pass toward the base of the great wall. As they pause, Aang and Momo swoop into view from the direction of the wall. Aang lands before them, Momo perching on his shoulder.)

Aang, what are you doing here? I thought you were looking for Appa?

I was, but something stopped me. Something big.

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Aang: huge!

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(Cut to wall's base, where Aang and Toph are jointly bending a rock platform up the face of the wall, lifting them all upwards. Camera pans back to show their rapid ascent up the wall.)

(as platform ascends) Now what's so big that Appa has to wait?

That.

(The camera pans way back to show both the wall and the approaching Drill, then to an aerial view showing the massive machine flanked by eight tanks on either side.

Cut to Aang and the rest peering out over the top of the outer wall, down toward the Fire Nation forces.)

(despairingly) We made it to Ba Sing Se, and we're still not safe. No one is. (Than and family huddle together.)

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suki: aw poor them.

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(from behind) What are you people doing here? Civilians aren't allowed on the wall.

(looking determined) I'm the Avatar. Take me to whoever's in charge.

(Cut to an area atop the outer wall where a roof is supported by tall arches. An Earth kingdom general waits seated at a desk.)

(smiling) It is an honor to welcome you to the outer wall young Avatar, but your help is not needed.

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Suki: not needed?

Zuko: I think he needs the help.

_

Not needed?

(smugly) Not needed. I have the situation under control. I assure you the Fire Nation cannot penetrate this wall. Many have tried to break through it, but none have succeeded.

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Zuko: two words One name. Uncle. Iroh.

they all chuckle at zuko's responce.

_

(The general rises as he speaks, leading the group back out towards an open area of the wall manned by soldiers standing near large stacks of boulders. We are shown an aerial view of the outer wall. Nothing lies beyond the outer face but barren wastes, while a patchwork of fertile fields grow behind it.

Cut to scene of the general gazing contentedly out over the inward face of the wall, the heroes standing behind him.)

What about the Dragon of the West? He got in.

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zuko: exactly.

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(startled) Well...uh...technically yes. But he was quickly expunged.

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zuko: well not exactly.

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(more confidently) Nevertheless, that is why the city is named Ba Sing Se. It's the impenetrable city. They don't call it Na Sing Se. (belly laughs, then becomes serious) That means penetrable city.

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suki true.

_

Yeah, thanks for the tour, but we still got the drill problem.

(pacing back to look out over wastes) Not for long. To stop it, I've sent an elite platoon of earthbenders called the Terra Team.

(thoughtfully) That's a good group name, very catchy.

_

Sokka: oh yeah team names. We never really picked a name.

Katara: didn't we.

Sokka: well not exactly.

Katara sighs.

_

(Cut to a scene of the Terra Team launching their assault on the Fire nation forces. They propel one of the tanks into the air, then ride a surge of earth through the gap left in the tank's formation.)

Ready... Attack!

(The earthbenders try to wedge several large pillars of stone against the side of the Drill, but it shatters them effortlessly. The Terra Team barely manages to raise a defensive shield against a barrage of Mai's throwing knives. Mai and Ty Lee are shown rappelling down the side of the Drill toward them. Nimbly avoiding their earthbending attacks, Ty Lee leaps in amongst them and begins delivering a flurry of pressure-point attacks. One by one the Terra Team drop helplessly at her feet.)

_

Suki: well that was easy.

Zuko: I mean its ty lee.

Suki: I know.

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(observing from a telescope) We're doomed! (flails arms in a panic)

(slaps general hard on the face) Get a hold of yourself man!

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They all laugh at sokka slapping the general.

Suki: SOKKA!

Sokka: What?! He needed it.

Suki: true.

_

(rubbing cheek) You're right, I'm sorry.

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sokka: and it worked really well.

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Maybe you'd like the Avatar's help now?

(meekly approaching Aang in a timid voice) Yes, please.

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Zuko: 😏😏😏

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(Cut to Aang and friends looking out over the wall at the approaching Drill)

The question is, how are we gonna stop that thing?

Why are you all looking at me?

You're the idea guy.

(complaining) So I'm the only one who can ever come up with a plan? That's a lot of pressure.

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Aang: well you don't plan everything just most things.

Sokka (sarcastically): wow thank you for reliving that pressure.

Katara: no need to get sarcastic sokka. The war is over after all.

_

And also the complaining guy.

That part I don't mind.

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Suki: of course you don't.

_

(ends at 0:58)

(sounding unpleasant) So, Mr. Lee, and Mr.... umm Mushy is it?

It's pronounced Moo-shee.

(looking up from papers angrily) You telling me how to do my job?

(stepping closer) Uh, no no no. (speaking charmingly) But may I just say that you're like a flower in bloom, your beauty intoxicating.

_

sokka chuckles.

Everyone had a 'ummm' face.

_

(smiling and obviously charmed) You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself handsome. (makes cat-claw gesture) Raorrr. Welcome to Ba Sing se. (stamps their papers and pushes them forward.)

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Everyone had 'okayyyyy?'

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(snatching his papers from Iroh disgustedly) I'm gonna forget I saw that.

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Zuko: no I need to forget that happened again.

_

(Camera looks over Jet's shoulder as he observes Zuko and Iroh stepping past ticket gate.)

I think Lee would make a good Freedom Fighter. He's just trying to find his way in the world, like us. (View changes to Jet, Smellerbee and Longshot standing side by side in ticket line.)

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Katara: yeah I don't think so.

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You don't know anything about him Jet.

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zuko: NOTHING.

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(holding signature grass stalk to mouth) I know he didn't get that scar from a waterbender.

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Toph (sarcastically) : oh my gosh really!?

Sokka:well Obviously. where else would get it.

Zuko: .....

_

Besides, I thought we were going straight now?

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zuko: they were?

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(shrugging) We are, and the new Freedom Fighters could use a guy like Lee. What do you think Longshot?

(shoots a meaningful look) ...

I can respect that.

_

Sokka: HOW does he understand that! HE said nothing.

Katara: come down sokka.

Sokka: but how! It would be pretty cool actually. I wouln't have to say anything you guys woud just know.

Toph: I do love the idea of not talking to you.

Sokka: 😑😑😑.

Aang: The freedom fighters probably just have a strong connection or just have a way of understanding long shot.

_

(Cut to an enclosed Infirmary atop the outer wall, where the members of the Terra Team lie on futons. General Sung, Aang , Sokka, Toph and Momo watch as Katara spreads the blue energies of her healing technique over the arm of one of the fallen warriors.)

: What's wrong with him? He doesn't look injured.

His Chi is blocked. (dissipates the energies) Who did this to you?

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suki: tylee.

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(moaning) Two girls ambushed us, one of them hit me with a bunch of quick jabs, and suddenly I couldn't earthbend, and I could barely move...and then she cart wheeled away. (recognition dawns in Katara's eyes)

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suki: tylee.

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(lookingaway thoughtfully) Ty Lee. She doesn't look dangerous, but she knows the human body and it's weak points. It's like she takes you down from the inside.

(an idea suddenly hits him and he begins gesturingwildly Ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo!

Yes?

(excitedly) What you just said, that's how we're gonna take down the Drill. The same way Ty Lee took down all these big earthbenders.

(enthusiastically) By hitting its pressure points!

(looking out a window at the Drill below) We'll take it down from the inside.

_

suki: that's a good plan.

_

(Scene opens with a front view of the spinning face of the drill, flanked by Fire nation tanks. Panning down, we see that ahead in its path Toph, Aang, Momo, Katara and Sokka are crouched down in one of the Terra Team's abandoned trenches.)

(gesturing back towards the Drill) Once I whip up some cover, you're not gonna be able to see, so stay close to me.

(Leaping from the trench, Toph begins a strenuous earthbending gesture that ends with a powerful foot stomp, sending a mighty blast of dust and broken stone rocketing along the ground toward the drill.)

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Suki: that's smart.

_

Run!

(Racing closely behind Toph, the team plunges into the swirling white dust cloud. The scene cuts to the Drill Command Center, where Ty Lee is again looking out through the periscope.)

(peering more closely) Hey, look at that dust cloud. (periscope view shows front of drill and billowing cloud) It's so...poofy. (looks back to the others with a spaced-out expression) Poof!

Don't worry Princess. I'm sure it's nothing. (Azula looks to Ching doubtfully)

_

suki: she on you guys.

_

(Cut to Toph and the rest running through the thick dust to emerge near the front of the drill. Standing in the drill's shadow, she bends open a pit in the ground.)

Everyone into the hole!

(Toph hops down into the hole after the others, and the surface immediately swirls shut above them. The camera pans down below ground and into utter blackness)

It's so dark down here, I can't see a thing.

(feigning horror) Oh no, what a nightmare.

Sorry.

_

they all chuckle.

_

(Cut to the surface, underneath the drill, where the ground bulges upwards and opens up. Toph emerges, followed by the others. They stand underneath the Drill itself, a vast, gloomy region framed by long rows of tracked wheels, with the Drill's body as its ceiling.)

(pointing ahead and upwards) There!

(An opening in the Drill's belly is seen, with a narrow length of pipe extending out of it horizontally. Aang leaps up to catch it and hangs upside down from it by his legs.

_

He catches Katara and then Sokka by the hands, boosting them up into the Drill. There is a pause and we realize that Toph is not following.)

(peeking out upside down from the opening) Toph, Come on!

(looking resigned) No way am I going in that metal monster. I can't bend in there. I'll try to slow it down out here.