203 Return To Omashu

Return To Omashu Act I Aang: I can't believe it. I know the war has spread far, (he turns to face his friends) but Omashu always seemed...untouchable. Sokka: Up until now, it was. Now Ba-Sing-Se is the only great Earth Kingdom stronghold left. Katara: This is horrible, but we have to move on. Aang: (firmly) No. I'm going in to find Bumi. Sokka: Aang, stop. We don't even know if Bumi's still... Aang (defiantly): What? If he's still what? Sokka: (refusing to meet Aang's eyes) ...around. Katara: I know you had your heart set on Bumi, but there are other people around who can teach you earthbending. Aang: This isn't about finding a teacher. This is about finding my friend. Sokka: (from o.c.) A secret passage? Sokka: Why didn't we just use this last time? Ugh! Aang: Does that answer your question? Sokka: Ew! Katara: That wasn't as bad as I thought. Sokka: Aaahhh! Sokka: Aaahh! Aahhh! They won't let go! Help! Aaaak! Aang: Stop making so much noise. It's just a purple pentapus. Guard: (from o.c.) Hey! Guard: What are you kids doing out past curfew? Katara: Sorry. We were just on our way home. Guard: (from o.c.) Wait! What's the matter with him? Katara: Uh...he has pentapox, sir. Katara: Um...it's highly contagious! Sokka: Uuuuuu....It's so awful...I'm dyiiiing... Katara: ...and deadly... Guard: Wait, I think I've heard of pentapox. Didn't your cousin Chang die of it? We'd better go wash our hands...and burn our clothes! Aang: Thank you, sewer friend! Crone Teacher #1: (from o.c. at first) When tracking your brother and uncle, traveling with a royal procession may no longer be an option. Crone Teacher #2: May no longer be wise...if you hope to keep the element of surprise. Azula: You're right. The royal procession is dead weight. If I want to catch my prey, I must be agile....nimble. I need a small, elite team. It's time to visit some old friends. Katara: Let's find Bumi and get out of here. Sokka: Where would they be keeping him? Aang: Somewhere he can't earthbend. (looking up and around, cut to Aang's p.o.v. as he pans around) Somewhere made of metal. Mai: There really is no fathoming the depths of my hatred for this place. Governor's Wife: Mai, your father was appointed governor. We're like royalty here. Be happy, and enjoy it. Resistance Fighter #1: The targets are approaching. Resistance Leader: Take them out. Mai: I thought my life was boring in the Fire Nation. But this place is unbearably bleak. Nothing ever happens. Governor's Wife: The resistance! Azula: Ty Lee, could that possibly be you? Ty Lee: Azula! Ty Lee: It is so good to see you! Azula: (smiling) Please, don't let me interrupt your... (raises an eyebrow, searching for the right word and failing) whatever it is you were doing. Azula: Tell me, what is the daughter of a nobleman doing here? Certainly our parents didn't send us to the Royal Fire Academy for Girls to end up in... (cut to a shot of the efforts with the platypus bear, Azula continues, with a slight note of contempt in her voice) places like this. Azula: I have a proposition for you. I'm hunting a traitor. (Looking at her wrist a bit absent mindedly) You remember my old fuddy duddy uncle, don't you? Ty Lee: (still resting on her chest and elbows, but now with both feet planted on her head) Oh yeah. He was so funny. Azula: I would be honored if you would join me on my mission. Ty Lee: Oh...I...uh...would love to. (Springs back to her feet in a single, fluid motion) But the truth is, I'm really happy here. (Smiling serenely) I mean, my aura has never been pinker! Azula: I'll take your word for it. Well, I wouldn't want you to give up the life you love just to please me. Ty Lee: (bowing slightly and clasping her hands in a gesture of thanks) Thank you, Azula. Azula: Of course, before I leave, I'm going to catch your show. Ty Lee: Uh...yeah...sure...uh...of course... Aang: So, is King Bumi with you guys? Is he leading the resistance? Resistance Leader: (With quiet intensity) Of course not! The day of the invasion, we readied ourselves for battle. We were prepared to defend our city...to fight for our lives and for our freedom. But before we even had a chance, King Bumi surrendered. Act II Resistance Leader: The day of the invasion, I asked King Bumi what he wanted to do. (Cut to a zooming in close up of the Resistance Leader) He looked me in the eye and said... King Bumi: I'm going to do... (he turns to face the camera) nothing! Resistance Leader: It doesn't matter now. Fighting the Fire Nation is the only path to freedom. And freedom is worth dying for. Aang: Actually there's another path to freedom. You could leave Omashu. You're directing all your energy to fight the Fire Nation. But you're outnumbered. You can't win. Now's the time to retreat, so you can live to fight another day. Resistance Leader: You don't understand. They've taken our home, and (making forceful hand motions for added emphasis) we have to fight them at ANY cost! Resistance Fighter #1: I don't know, (unintelligible word that sounds like "Ya" and might be the Resistance Leader's name), living to fight another day is startin' to sound pretty good to me. Resistance Fighter #2: (stepped forward from behind Resistance Fighter #1) Yeah, I'm with the kid! Resistance Leader: Fine. But there's thousands of citizens that need to leave. How're we going to get them all out? Sokka: Suckers! Sokka: You're all about to come down with a nasty case of pentapox. Sokka: The marks make ya look sick, but you gotta ACT sick, too. Ya gotta sell it! Sokka: (putting his arm around an earth kingdom citizen next to him) Now that's what I'm talkin' about. Old Man: Years of practice. Sokka: Okay everyone! Into sick formation. Katara: Aang, what are you doing? Aren't you coming with us. Aang: (turning to face her) No. I'm not leaving until I find Bumi. Aang: Sorry Momo, I'll feed you later. Soldier: Plague! Plague! Governor: What is going on down there? Guard: I saw some kids yesterday who were sick with pentapox. It must have spread! Governor: Pentapox! I'm pretty sure I've heard of that. Governor's Wife: Oh, this is terrible. Guard: What should we do? Governor: Drive them out of the city...but don't touch them! We have to rid the city of this disease! Mai: Fire flakes, Dad? Governor's Wife: (gasping) How awful! Aang: Flopsie! Aang: (climbing on top of Flopsie) Come on, Flopsie. You gotta help me find Bumi. Yip Yip! Oh...I guess that doesn't work with you. Let's go! Circus Master: We're deeply honored to have the Fire Lord's daughter at our humble circus. Circus Master: Uh...tell us if there is anything we can do to make the show more enjoyable. Azula: I will. Azula: Incredible. Do you think she'll fall? Circus Master: Of course not. Azula: Then wouldn't it make it more interesting if you removed the net? Circus Master: (concerned) Uh...the thing is...the performers... Azula: You're right, you're right. That's been done. (After a short pause) I know. Set the net on fire. Circus Master: Of course, Princess. Azula: Brilliant, just brilliant! (She looks back down at the Circus Master) Oooo, what kind of dangerous animals do you have? Circus Master: Well, our circus boasts the most exotic assortment... Azula: (cutting him off) Release them all! Aang: (sadly) We looked everywhere. No Bumi. Resistance Leader: We\'ve got a problem. We just did a head count. Katara: Oh no. Did someone get left behind? Resistance Leader: No, (pointing o.c. to the right) we have an extra. Governor: So, the resistance has kidnapped my son. (exasperated) Everything so clever, so tricky. Just like their King Bumi. Guard: (from behind) What do you want to do, sir? Azula: What an exquisite performance. I can't wait to see how you'll top yourself tomorrow. Ty Lee: I'm sorry Azula, but unfortunately there won't be a show tomorrow. Azula: Really? Ty Lee: (hanging up her tiara) The universe has given me strong hints that it's time for a career change. I want to join you on your mission. Sokka: No! Bad Fire Nation baby! Sokka: Oh...alright. Katara: (leaning over to hug the baby from behind) Ooo, you're so CUTE. Mmmmm... Resistance Leader: Sure he's cute now, but when he's older.He'll join the Fire Nation army. You won't think he's so cute then. He'll be a killer. Katara: Does that look like the face of a killer to you? Resistance Leader: A messenger hawk! Aang: It's from the Fire Nation governor. He thinks we kidnapped his son. So...he wants to make a trade. His son for King Bumi. Act III Sokka: You realize we're probably walking right into a trap? Aang: I don't think so. I'm sure the Governor wants his son back as much as we want Bumi. It's a new day. (Cut to a wide, overhead shot of the group and the sun and mountains behind them) I have a good feeling about this. Mai: Please tell me you're here to kill me. Azula: It's great to see you, Mai. Mai: I thought you ran off and joined the circus? You said it was your calling. Ty Lee: (releasing Mai and smiling widely) Well, Azula called a little louder. Azula: I have a mission and I need you both. Mai: Count me in. Anything to get me out of this place. Governor: I apologize. Governor: You've come to Omashu at a difficult time. At noon we're making a trade with the resistance to get Tom-Tom back. Azula: Yes, I'm so sorry to hear about your son, but really, what did you expect by just letting all the citizens leave? My father has trusted you with this city (she makes a slashing gesture with her left hand) and you're making a mess of things! Governor: (prostrating himself) Forgive me, Princess. Azula: You stay here. (Mai and Ty Lee stand up behind her) Mai will handle the hostage trade so you don't have a chance to mess it up. (Cut to several exterior shots of the still smoking city and several construction projects within, continue Azula voice over) And there is no more "Omashu". I'm renaming it in honor of my father, the City of New Ozai. King Bumi: Hi, everybody! Mai: You brought my brother? Aang: He's here. We're ready to trade. Azula: (to Mai, Bumi grinning behind them all) I'm sorry, but a thought just occurred to me. Do you mind? Mai: (turning to Azula): Of course not, Princess Azula. Azula: We're trading a two year old for a king. (She turns to Bumi) A powerful, earthbending king? King Bumi: Mmm hmmm! Azula: It just doesn't seem like a fair trade, does it? Mai: You're right. (To Aang) The deal's off. King Bumi: (enjoying himself) Whhhoa! See you all later! Aang: Bumi! Azula: (in surprise) The Avatar! My lucky day. King Bumi: Aang, is that you? Where did you come from? Aang: Hang on! We're gonna get you out of here. Katara: We've got to get the baby out of here! Sokka: (stopping his whistling to answer, a smile on his face) Way ahead of ya! King Bumi: Aang, stop your blowing for a minute. King Bumi: Now hold on just a (the chain breaks and they fall) duahhh!!! Aang: (smiling and laughing) Just like old times, isn't it, Bumi? King Bumi: Aang, I need to talk to you! Aang: (not understanding because of the noise) It's good to see you too! Mai: (taunting) How are you gonna fight without your bending? Sokka: I seem to manage! Katara: There's Aang! Sokka: We can catch him! Aang: Hang on, Bumi! Our ride's here! Aang: You could earthbend all along!? King Bumi: Well, they didn't cover my face. Aang: I don't understand. Why didn't you free yourself? Why did you surrender when Omashu was invaded? What's the matter with you, Bumi!? King Bumi: Listen to me, Aang. There are options in fighting, called jin. It's a choice of how you direct your energy. Aang: I know! There's positive jin when you're attacking, and negative jin when you're retreating. King Bumi: and neutral jin ，when you do nothing! Aang: There three jins? King Bumi: Well, technically there are eighty five. But, let's just focus on the third. Neutral jin is the key to earthbending. It involves listening and waiting for the right moment to strike. Aang: That's why you surrendered, isn't it? King Bumi: Yes, and it's why I can't leave now. Aang: I guess I need to find someone else to teach me earthbending. King Bumi: Your teacher will be someone who has mastered neutral jin. You need to find someone who waits and listens before striking. Aang: Hey, Momo! King Bumi: Momo's mastered a few jins himself! King Bumi: Goodbye, Aang. I'll see you when the time is right. Mai: So, we're tracking down your brother and Uncle, huh? Ty Lee: (teasing) It'll be interesting seeing Zuko again, won't it, Mai? Azula: It's not just Zuko and Iroh anymore. We have a third target now. Governor's Wife: (gasping) Tom-Tom! PAGE 2