Avatar: The Last Airbender (2003–2008): Season 2, Episode 1 - The Avatar State - full transcript

KATARA: Water...

Earth...

Fire...

Air.

Long ago, the four nations
lived together in harmony.

Then, everything changed
when the Fire Nation attacked.

Only the Avatar,
master of all four elements,

could stop them.

But when the world needed him most,

he vanished.

100 years passed,



and my brother and I
discovered the new Avatar...

An airbender named Aang.

And although his airbending
skills are great,

he has a lot to learn
before he's ready to save anyone.

AANG: Oof.

KATARA: But I believe
Aang can save the world.

Aah!

[AANG BREATHING HEAVILY]

Aang?

Do you want to talk about it?

Nah. Just a nightmare.

I was in the Avatar state,

But I was outside my body,
watching myself.

It was scary.



I was scary.

Katara, I want you to have this.

This amulet contains
water from the spirit oasis.

The water has unique properties.

Don't lose it.

Thank you, Master Pakku.

Aang, these scrolls
will help you master waterbending.

But remember,
they're no substitute for a real master.

Sokka...

Take care, son.

Fly straight to the Earth Kingdom
base to the east of here.

General Fong will provide you
with an escort to Omashu.

There you'll be safe to begin
your earthbending training with King Bumi.

-Appa, yip-yip!
-KATARA: Say hi to Gran-Gran for me.

Ahh.

This is what I've been missing.

Who knew floating
on a piece of driftwood for three weeks

with no food or water

and sea vultures
waiting to pluck out your liver

could make one so tense?

I see. It's the anniversary, isn't it?

Three years ago today, I was banished.

I lost it all. I want it back.

I want the Avatar.
I want my honor, my throne.

I want my father
not to think I'm worthless.

I'm sure he doesn't.
Why would he banish you if he didn't care?

Uh, that came out wrong, didn't it?

My brother and my uncle
have disgraced the Fire Lord,

and brought shame on all of us.

You may have mixed feelings about
attacking members of the royal family.

I understand. But I assure you,

if you hesitate, I will not hesitate
to bring you down.

Dismissed.

Princess, I'm afraid the tides will not
allow us to bring the ship into port

before nightfall.

I'm sorry, captain, but I do not know
much about the tides.

Can you explain something to me?

Of course, your highness.

Do the tides command this ship?

Uh, I'm afraid I don't understand.

You said the tides
would not allow us to bring the ship in.

Do the tides command this ship?

No, princess.

And if I were to have you
thrown overboard,

would the tides think twice about
smashing you against the rocky shore?

No, princess.

Well, then maybe you should
worry less about the tides,

who've already made up
their mind about killing you

and worry more about me,
who's still mulling it over.

I'll pull us in.

There it is!

Welcome, Avatar Aang!

I am General Fong.

And welcome to all of you great heroes...

Appa, Momo, brave Sokka,
the mighty Katara.

Mighty Katara? I like that.

[FIREWORKS]

[MOMO CHATTERING]

Not bad. Not bad.

Avatar Aang, we were all amazed

at the stories of how
you single-handedly wiped out

an entire fire navy fleet
at the North Pole.

I can't imagine what it feels like
to wield such devastating power.

It's an awesome responsibility.

I try not to think about it too much.

Avatar, you're ready
to face the Fire Lord now.

What?! No, I'm not.

Aang still needs to master
all four elements.

Why? With the kind of power he possesses,

Power enough to destroy hundreds
of battleships in a matter of minutes,

He could defeat the Fire Lord now.

But, sir, the thing is,
Aang can only do those things

when he's in the Avatar state.

See, it's this special state where...

I'm well aware.
Your eyes and tattoos glow,

and you're able to summon
unbelievable power.

Without you, we'd be slaughtered
before we even reach their shores.

But with you leading the way,
as the ultimate weapon,

we could cut a swath right through
to the heart of the Fire Nation.

Right, but I don't know how
to get in or out of the Avatar state,

much less what to do once I'm there.

FONG: So it's decided, then.

I'll help you figure out
how to get into the Avatar state,

and then you'll face your destiny.

No. Nothing's decided.

We already have a plan.

Aang's pursuing his destiny his way.

FONG: Well, while you take your time
learning the elements,

the war goes on.

May I show you something?

That's the infirmary.

And those soldiers
are the lucky ones. They came back.

Every day the Fire Nation takes lives.

People are dying, Aang.

You could end it now.

Think about it.

Almost perfect.

One hair out of place.

Almost isn't good enough.

[DISTANT THUNDER]

General Fong?

Come in, Aang.
Have you thought about our discussion?

I'm in.

I'll fight the Fire Lord.

I told the general I'd help him

by going into the Avatar state.

Aang, no. This is not the right way.

Why not? Remember when he took out
the fire navy? He was incredible.

There's a right way to do this...

Practice, study, and discipline.

Or just glow it up
and stop that Fire Lord.

If you two meat heads want to throw away
everything we've worked for, fine.

Go ahead and glow it up.

Katara, I'm just being realistic!

I don't have time
to do this the right way.

This rare chi-enhancing tea
is a natural stimulant.

In an ordinary warrior,
it improves strength and energy tenfold.

In you, it may induce the Avatar state.

Tenfold energy, huh?

Is it working? Is it working?

I can't tell! Somebody tell me
if I'm in the Avatar state

'Cause I don't have a good view
of myself. Am I talking loud?

I guess he could talk
the Fire Lord to death.

Uh!

Maybe I can shock you
into the Avatar state.

I love surprises.

-[SCREECHES]
-Aah!

Still not glowing.

Uh! Uh! Aah!

You are wearing a ceremonial
piece of clothing

from each of the bending nations.

Now, I will join
the four elements into one.

Water, earth, fire, air!

Four elements together as one.

This is just mud.

So, do you feel anything?

[SNEEZES]

We have to find a way.

Look at these magnificent shells.

I'll enjoy these keepsakes
for years to come.

We don't need any more useless things.

You forget,
we have to carry everything ourselves now.

Hello, brother, uncle.

What are you doing here?

In my country, we exchange
a pleasant hello before asking questions.

Have you become uncivilized
so soon, Zu Zu?

Don't call me that.

To what do we owe this honor?

Hmm, must be a family trait.

Both of you so quick to get to the point.

I've come with a message from home.

Father's changed his mind. Family is
suddenly very important to him.

He's heard rumors
of plans to overthrow him...

Treacherous plots.

Family are the only ones
you can really trust.

Father regrets your banishment.
He wants you home.

Did you hear me? You should be happy,
excited, grateful.

I just gave you great news.

I'm sure your brother
simply needs a moment...

Don't interrupt, uncle.

I still haven't heard my thank you.

I'm not a messenger.
I didn't have to come all this way.

Father regrets? He wants me back?

I can see you need time to take this in.

I'll come to call on you tomorrow.
Good evening.

KATARA: Can we talk about something?
AANG: Sure.

Do you remember
when we were at the air temple

and you found Monk Gyatso's skeleton?

It must have been so horrible
and traumatic for you.

I saw you get so upset
that you weren't even you anymore.

I'm not saying the Avatar state
doesn't have incredible and helpful power.

But you have to understand,
for the people who love you,

watching you be in that much
rage and pain is really scary.

I'm really glad you told me that,

But I still need to do this.

I don't understand.

No, you don't.

Every day, more and more people die.

I'm already a hundred years late.

Defeating the Fire Lord
is the only way to stop this war.

I have to try it.

I can't watch you do this to yourself.

I'm not coming tomorrow.

Good night.

Good night.

We're going home

after three long years.

It's unbelievable.

It is unbelievable.

I have never known my brother
to regret anything.

Did you listen to Azula?

Father's realized how important
family is to him.

He cares about me.

I care about you.

I mean, if Ozai wants you back, well,

I think it may not be
for the reasons you imagine.

You don't know
how my father feels about me.

You don't know anything.

Zuko, I only meant that in our family,

things are not always what they seem.

I think you are exactly what you seem...

A lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man

who's always been jealous of his brother.

Aah!

Sokka, Sokka, wake up.

Huh?

I don't think we should be trying
to bring on the Avatar state.

-You sure?
-Yes.

OK.

Do you think the general will be mad?

What can he say? You're the Avatar.

Who knows better than you?

Wait!

Don't leave without me.

Uncle, you've changed your mind.

Family sticks together, right?

We're finally going home.

AANG: The thing is, I don't think we'll
ever be able to trigger it on purpose.

So I guess that's it.

Sure I can't change your mind?

I'm sure. I can only reach the Avatar
state when I'm in genuine danger.

I see. I was afraid you'd say that.

Aang!

[AANG YELLS]

Men, attack the Avatar.

What are you doing?

I believe we are about to get results.

I'm not your enemy. I won't fight you.

You can't run forever!

You can't fight forever.

Brother, uncle,

welcome.

I'm so glad you decided to come.

Are we ready to depart, your highness?

Set our course for home, captain.

Home.

You heard the princess. Raise the anchors.

We're taking the prisoners home.

Your highness, I...

You lied to me.

Like I've never done that before.

[YELLS]

Aah!

I wonder what crazy thing
they're trying now.

[PURRS]

[HEAVY THUDS]

Maybe we should just make sure Aang's OK.

What's going on?

The general's gone crazy.

He's trying to force Aang
into the Avatar state.

Good bird-horse thingy.

Maybe you can avoid me, but she can't.

I can't move.

Don't hurt her.

Katara, no!

Whoa!

Stop this! You have to let her go.

You could save her
if you were in the Avatar state.

I'm trying. I'm trying.

Aang, I'm sinking!

I don't see glowing.

Aah! Please.

You don't need to do this.

Apparently, I do.

Aah!

It worked.

It worked!

Aah!

Zuko, let's go!

Hyah! Hyah! Hyah...

You know, father blames uncle
for the loss at the North Pole.

And he considers you a miserable failure
for not finding the Avatar.

Why would he want you back home,

except to lock you up
where you can no longer embarrass him?

[YELLING]

Aah! Uh!

Avatar Aang, can you hear me?

Your friend is safe.

It was just a trick
to trigger the Avatar state.

And it worked!

It's time you learned.

The Avatar state is a defense mechanism

designed to empower you with the skills
and knowledge of all the past Avatars.

The glow is the combination
of all your past lives

focusing their energy through your body.

In the Avatar state,

you are at your most powerful...

But you're also at your most vulnerable.

What do you mean?

If you are killed in the Avatar state,

The reincarnation cycle will be broken

and the Avatar will cease to exist.

I'm sorry, Katara. I hope you never
have to see me like that again.

Ha! Are you joking?
That was almost perfect.

We just have to find out a way
to control you when you're like that.

You're out of your mind.

I guess we'll figure it out
on the way to the Fire Nation.

Anybody got a problem with that?

Do you still want an escort to Omashu?

I think we're all set.

Anyone who harbors these traitors

will face the wrath of the Fire Lord.

There will be no place left to hide.

I think we're safe here.