01x01 - Aang

[bunniefuu]

[mysterious music playing]

{an8}[bell clanging]

[action music playing]

[guard] There he is! Cut him off!

[guard 2] Stop in the name of...

[guard 3] Right there!

[birds squawking]

- [guard] Go!
- [guard 2] Go!

[guard shouts]

[guard] He's over there! Get him!

[birds squawk]

- [guard] There he is.
- [guard 2] Don't let him get away!

[men clamoring]

- [grunts]
- [birds chirping]

[guard] After him!

[bird cooing]

Stop!

[action music swells]

[guards grunting]

[yells]

[guard grunts]

An Earthbender.

[man] Hurry!

[bird clucks]

[grunts]

- [birds squawk]
- [man grunts]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[man yells indistinctly]

[man] Come on!

- [birds squawks]
- Now! Now!

[guard] He went that way!

- [grunts]
- Get that to the Earth King.

They're going to start a w*r!

- [guard] There!
- Go now!

[yells]

[mysterious music playing]

[guards grunt]

[grunts]

[guard grunts]

[man grunts]

[grunts]

[guards grunt]

[guard grunts]

[man grunts]

[dramatic music playing]

[grunts]

[coughing]

You're too late.

Your battle plans are already on their way
to the Earth Kingdom.

[man 2] Good.

That means all eyes
will be on the Earth Kingdom.

All eyes but ours.

We'll be prepared for your att*ck.

When your king receives those plans,

he will redirect his forces
to your borders

and rally the support
of the other nations.

The Water Tribes
and the Air Nomads and the entire world

will turn their attention
to the Earthbenders.

[ominous music playing]

You... you wanted us to know?

We aren't the real target.

My sights are set higher.

Much higher.

[man] Why?

Why are you doing this?

[dramatic music swells]

[gasps]

Because it is our time.

[screaming]

[man 3] A masterful ruse, Your Highness.

But tactically,
the Airbenders are not the thr*at.

This isn't about the Airbenders.

This is about one who lives among them.

The only one
who could possibly stand in our way.

But the Avatar is yet to be revealed.

Which is why we have to k*ll them all.

[dramatic music playing]

[Kyoshi] Water.

Earth.

Fire.

Air.

For millennia,
the four nations have lived in harmony,

a peace made possible by the Avatar...

the one person with the ability
to master all four elements

and protect the delicate balance
between nations.

When one Avatar dies,

their spirit is reborn into a new body
in an eternal cycle.

Since the death of the last Avatar,

the new incarnation has yet to emerge.

And so Fire Lord Sozin,
the ruthless leader of the Fire Nation,

believes this is his moment
to launch a merciless campaign

to conquer the world.

His first step is
to eliminate the one person

who could stand in his way.

The next master of all four elements,

an Airbender who may not be ready
for the responsibility of becoming

the Avatar.

[adventurous music playing]

[wind blowing]

[mysterious music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[man] Aang!

Aang!

[grunts softly]

- [man 2] Hey, look!
- [Aang] Yeah!

[grunts]

[grunts]

[man 3] Wow!

[Aang chuckles]

[man 4] Who else?

[Aang chuckles]

[crowd] Whoa!

[Aang chuckles]

[indistinct chatter]

Show-off.

- What? I was just enjoying the view.
- [man] Ha.

Monk Tsutop was looking for you.

You skipped training again!

It's all the same drills.
You know I already know all this stuff.

Aang.

You may be more advanced than the others,
but there's much you have to learn.

And believe it or not,

there may come a day when you wish
you'd spent more time with your teachers.

Now, you and the other students
better go help set up

for the Great Comet Festival.

Still a lot of work to be done

before the Air Nomads
from the other temples arrive.

How many are coming?

- [animals bellowing]
- [boy] Wait. What's that sound?

[boy 2] Look! Up there!

[bellowing]

[boy 2] Look at all of them.

[boy 3] Wow! There's so many!

[boy 4] Look at all of them!

All of them.

Come on, Aang! They're right up there!

[Aang] Wait up!

[children chattering]

[chuckles]

Did you tell him?

- It wasn't the right time.
- [man 2] The right time?

We don't have the luxury
of waiting for the right time.

We need to go talk to the council now.

[man] Aang has always been a prodigy.

The youngest Airbender in history

to receive the markings of a master.

But he is only 12.

We can't ask this of him.

Fire Lord Sozin
is planning to att*ck the Earth Kingdom.

The Water Tribes are already sending
the warriors to aid the Earthbenders,

and we need to help them as well.

And we need the Avatar.

Yes, Aang is powerful,
but there's much he still needs to learn

about responsibility,

expectations,

sacrifice.

Most of all, he needs to know who he is.

If we send him away
before he learns these things,

he could fail to be
everything we need him to be.

And he and the world

might never recover from that.

The role of the Avatar
is a heavy responsibility,

not meant for a child.

But it is not our place
to choose who bears that burden,

and I fear you've grown too close to Aang
to see that, Brother Gyatso.

Aang must leave immediately

to begin training
in the other bending disciplines,

and we can only hope

that it is not too late for him
to make a difference.

[birds cooing]

[indistinct chatter]

Are comet festivals always this much work?

Well, the last one was
a hundred years ago,

and believe it or not,

I'm actually not old enough
to have seen that.

- [scoffs] Could have fooled me.
- [laughs]

[chuckles]

Remember the last time I brought you here?

Sure. When I got my tattoos.

Most receive their markings
in the main hall,

but I wanted you to receive yours
in the presence of Yangchen,

the last Air Nomad to be the Avatar.

When she d*ed, the next Avatar was born

into the following nation
in the eternal cycle,

so after Yangchen's death

came Kuruk of the Water Tribes,
then Kyoshi of the Earth Kingdom...

And then Roku in the Fire Nation.

Which means the next Avatar

will once again be an Airbender.

Her spirit echoes in one of us.

Aang, you have always been special.

The most talented Airbender
I have ever known.

I never asked to be special.

But you are.

Aang,

you are the Avatar.

[solemn music playing]

[Gyatso] The Fire Nation
has embarked on a dark path.

Their actions thr*aten
to throw the world out of balance.

Only the Avatar, the one person
who can master all four elements,

can save the world.

The world needs the Avatar.

The world needs you, Aang.

You're to leave right away so you can
begin training in the other disciplines.

Right away?

Leave my friends? Leave home? Leave you?

Now, this

would be a huge burden for anyone,

but you're not just anyone, Aang.

You're strong

and kind

and generous.

Remember that.

Always remember who you are

because I can't imagine a better person
to have been given this power.

I don't want... the power.

Which is why you will make a great Avatar.

Why do I have to be different?

Can't I just

keep pretending that I'm your friend?

You are my friend.

You... will always be my friend.

[uplifting music playing]

[Aang sighs]

[sighs]

[bison groaning]

[Aang] Hey, Appa.

Couldn't sleep either, huh?

[grunts]

[groans]

Gyatso says I'm supposed to be the Avatar.

- Me.
- [Appa grunts]

Monks don't even trust me
to feed the baby bison,

and I'm supposed to save the world?

[grunting softly]

He said I need to remember who I am.

But I know who I am.

I like to play airball
and eat banana cakes

and goof off with my friends.

That's who I am,

not someone who can stop the Fire Nation.

Not someone who can stop a w*r.

[mysterious music playing]

[bellows curiously]

The other kids always say I'm lucky
because of the things I could do,

but I'd trade places with any of them.

[Appa groans]

I don't wanna leave.

I don't want the responsibility.

I'm scared of my power.
I'm scared of being alone!

[Appa moans gently]

[Appa purring]

I'm scared.

[grunts]

You're right.

I just need to go up
where things always make more sense.

At least for now.

- Yip, yip!
- [Appa groans]

[magical music playing]

[suspenseful music playing]

[men grunt]

Remember,

no survivors.

[flames roar]

[calm flute music playing]

[whooshing]

[suspenseful music playing]

- Brothers and sisters, we're under att*ck!
- [grunts]

[grunts]

[high-pitched ringing]

- [action music playing]
- Yah!

- [grunts]
- [soldiers grunting]

- [grunts]
- [soldiers grunt]

- [grunts]
- [soldiers grunt]

[soldier screams]

[grunts]

- [soldier grunts]
- [grunts]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[soldiers grunt]

[screams]

- [boy] What's going on?
- Come with me, quickly!

Where's Aang?

Aang!

[wind whistling]

[Appa grunts]

[suspenseful action music playing]

[men grunting]

[yells]

- [people clamoring]
- [Gyatso] Quickly, move along.

[yells]

[thunder crashing]

[Aang] It's getting kind of rough, Appa.
Maybe we should head back home?

[Appa grunts]

[Gyatso] That's it.
Stay quiet. You'll be safe in there.

Right into the corner.

Stay down.

[woman screams]

[dramatic music playing]

[woman screams]

[all grunting]

[yells]

[grunting]

[sinister music playing]

[thunder crashing]

It's okay, Appa!

- [grunts]
- [Aang] Steady!

[bellows]

[wind whistling]

[Appa groans]

[explosions]

[ominous music playing]

[man screams]

[soldier yells]

[shrieks]

[pounding on door]

[Appa grunts]

[Aang grunts]

[Aang screams]

[screams]

[kids scream]

[suspenseful music playing]

[grunting]

Oh!

[suspenseful action music swells]

[grunts]

You may have prevailed on another night.

- [yells]
- [yells]

[kids cry out]

But not when we have
the power of the comet!

[man grunting]

[Gyatso grunting]

Ah!

[yells]

[screams]

[mystical whirring]

[gentle flute music playing]

[sighs]

[dramatic music playing]

[wind gusting]

- [kids laughing and chattering]
- [girl] Come on!

[indistinct chatter]

All right, listen up.

We've been manning the wall
in three-hour shifts,

but it seems some of you can't be trusted
to stay at your posts.

So from now on,

two people at all times,
meaning twice as many shifts.

[kids groan]

Is there a problem?

Didn't think so.
Okay, back to your duties.

- [indistinct chatter]
- Come on, let's go.

Where are we going?

The fishing boats came back empty.

Just proves if you want something
done right, gotta do it yourself.

They don't appreciate
your incredible leadership skills.

That's right. They don't realize it.

Very funny.

[chuckles]

Katara!

[gentle flute music playing]

So where were you before?

You were waterbending again, weren't you?

Don't worry. No one could see me.

Not that it matters.

Of course it matters. If the Fire Nation
finds out you're a Waterbender...

No one from the Fire Nation
has approached the village in years.

Besides, there's nothing to see.

An otter penguin
could bend more water than I could.

It's probably for the best.

You should be helping out more
around the village anyway.

Not everything
is about preparing to fight.

- We're at w*r.
- Waterbending is what built our culture.

Our way of life.
Keeping it alive is our duty.

- Keeping ourselves alive is our duty.
- I know that.

- And if Dad were here...
- But he's not here! I am!

[mysterious music playing]

Katara.

Katara. Sulk later, paddle now.

[rumbling]

Good job.

I'm not doing this.

[thud]

[suspenseful music playing]

[Katara screams]

[gasps]

[screams]

Sokka!

[screams]

[Sokka grunts]

You okay?

Oh no. No, no, that's not good.

What is that?

[mysterious music playing]

[Sokka] Huh, weird.

We need to get that canoe,
or we're gonna end up as fish food,

which would be ironic.

[foreboding music playing]

Maybe I could float over on some ice?

[mysterious music playing]

[rumbling]

Uh, Katara?

[foreboding music playing]

[panting]

Finally.

[suspenseful music playing]

[dramatic music playing]

[mystical whirring]

[Sokka gasps]

Where did he come from?

I don't know.

Oh! Nice. Nice. We're not gonna die.

Come on. Let's go home.

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What are you doing?

You're not thinking of leaving him?

Katara, a strange, glowy iceberg
just exploded and left behind

a mysterious little bald person.

What part of that makes you think,
"Great, let's bring him home"?

Sokka, he's just a kid.

We can't just leave him out here.

I don't like this, but why listen to me?

I'm just responsible
for the safety of the village.

[mysterious music playing]

[owl hoots]

[rumbling]

- He looks dead.
- What's that mark on his head?

Let me take a look.

[gasps] It can't be.

What is it, Gran Gran?

This is an Airbender.

It's impossible.
Airbenders don't exist anymore.

Well, we won't get any answers
until he wakes up.

We need to let him rest.

Come on.

[curious music playing]

The only settlement in that area
is Water Tribe Village

in the South Pole territory.
That's where we have to go.

- Where you think we'll find the Avatar?
- Yes.

Because of the light?

You think I'm imagining things?

Sometimes, light beams are nothing more
than celestial glimmers in the winter sky.

For three years,
I've chased down every hint, every rumor,

every whisper of the Avatar,

and I'll keep doing it
for another three years if I have to.

Prince Zuko,
I don't think your father would want you...

My father has banished me
until I find the Avatar,

and that's exactly what I'll do.

All I'm saying is,
it's hard to see you get your hopes up

every time you see a...

a sign.

It'll all be worth it
once I return home in glory

to take my place
as the rightful heir to the Fire Lord.

[sighs]

Perhaps it's time to consider
that the throne isn't everything.

It may not have been for you.

But for me...

it's my destiny.

[breathing shakily]

- [groans]
- [Aang screams]

[panting]

[suspenseful music playing]

[gasps]

[panting]

[boy] Come on. Come on.

[indistinct chatter outside]

[gentle flute music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[boy] Come on. Come on!

[indistinct chatter]

[snowballs thudding]

[child 1] Got you!

[child 2] Gotcha!

[grunts]

Hey, get away from him!

What are you thinking?
Have you forgotten your training?

What'd I say about keeping your guard up?
He could be the enemy.

The enemy?

I'm not the enemy.

Then who are you?

I'm Aang.

Where am I?

- How'd I get here?
- You tell me.

Wait.

Appa?

Appa!

Where's Appa?

Sokka!

Have you seen him?

Yeah.

That's not strange at all.

- [boy] This is unbelievable.
- Appa!

He is an Airbender.

[uplifting music playing]

[high-pitched whistle]

[indistinct chatter]

Have you seen Appa?

My sky bison.

Six legs, horns, brown arrows?

Sky bison.

- Sky bison!
- Repeating it doesn't help.

[Aang sighs]

[Appa bellows]

- [boy] Whoa!
- [boy 2] What is that thing?

[grunts]

Appa!

[Appa grunts]

[grunts softly]

[grumbles]

Sky bison.

[Appa grumbles]

You say you went down in the storm?

It came upon us suddenly.

The weather went crazy
just after I left home.

The Southern Air Temple.

Where the Air Nomads live.

Well, not all the Air Nomads,

but most of them had just arrived
for the Great Comet Festival.

The Great Comet Festival.

Gran Gran?

[mysterious music playing]

Water, earth, fire, air.

Long ago, the four nations
lived together in harmony.

Then everything changed
when the Fire Nation att*cked.

Only the Avatar,
master of all four elements,

could stop them.

But when the world needed him most,

he vanished.

And so the Fire Nation
marched and laid waste,

plunging us into a time of darkness.

Everyone in the village knows this story,

but you don't, do you, young man?

Just as you don't know that Airbenders
haven't been seen in generations

and that the Southern Air Temple
was the first to fall,

because you've been trapped
in that ice this whole time.

The last time that the Great Comet
was seen in the sky

was 100 years ago.

He may seem like just a boy,

but he's much more.

He is the last Airbender.

[indistinct whispering]

[wind gusting]

Of all the places to drag our asses to,
he picks the coldest spot in the world.

How come his omens never take us
somewhere with hot springs, huh?

[all chuckle]

- Something you wanna say, Lieutenant Jee?
- No, sir.

[Zuko] Let me make something clear.

Our mission is vital
to the future of the Fire Nation,

and so we will find the Avatar.

We will prove ourselves worthy,

and we will see
our homes and families again...

or we will die trying.

[foreboding music swells]

[music fades]

[wind blowing]

Are you okay?

A hundred years.

All my friends,

everyone I know...

they're all gone.

Um, I'm sorry.

Believe me, I know how hard it is
to lose the people you love.

[wind whistling]

When I was little,
I didn't really understand the w*r

until the night the Firebenders came.

They destroyed everything in their path.

Everything.

Everyone.

Afterwards, our father set out
with the other warriors

to hunt down the Firebenders.

That was three years ago,
and we haven't seen him since.

He had left Sokka in charge
when he just turned 13.

I guess he had to grow up fast.

We all did.

We're never really ready

until we have to be.

They were part of the Fire Nation's
first att*cks on the Water Tribe.

The Firebenders were ruthless.

Since then, the Fire Nation
has conquered most of the world.

But the Waterbenders
are still fighting back,

especially in the North.

And the Earth Kingdom
is still holding strong.

We hope.

I had friends in the Fire Nation.

I used to visit them.

No one visits other nations now.

We're only friends with our own kind.

[sighs]

[grunting]

Good. Your skills have never been sharper.

I need to be at my best
when I face the world's ultimate warrior.

They say Avatar Kyoshi took down
an entire squadron

of Earth Kingdom soldiers single-handedly.

Well, you've certainly prepared enough.

Now, how about a nice cup of jasmine tea?

Say we find the Avatar,
and you're able to defeat him,

a mission
your father believed to be impossible.

And so your return home may be...

unexpected.

You're wrong.

[sinister music playing]

[Katara] No one comes here.

It's quiet and hidden.

[water trickling]

You're a Waterbender!

Barely. I'm trying to get better,

but I'm the only Waterbender left
in the Southern Tribe.

Sokka doesn't like it when I practice

because he's worried
that the Fire Nation will find out and...

And what?

There's a reason I'm the only Waterbender
left in the village.

They've k*lled all the others.

Sokka just doesn't understand.

I'm a warrior. I should be able
to do more for our people.

The monks told me
bending is about energy and balance.

By feeling the energy around you,
you can find balance.

By finding balance,
you can feel the energy.

[clangs]

[uplifting music playing]

Nice!

I wasn't even really trying.

That's good. You just have to let go.

Katara?

[suspenseful music playing]

Sokka! Sokka, the Fire Nation. They're...

I know. We spotted them.
Get to your posts now!

- Sokka, the racks...
- Get them loaded.

I don't understand. Why are they here?

After all this time,
what could they possibly want?

Him.

He's more than the last Airbender.
Aren't you?

You are the Avatar.

[indistinct chatter]

Aang?

I knew he was hiding something.

When the world needed the Avatar the most,
he vanished because he's a coward.

He ran, and people d*ed.

Sokka, they've landed.

You need to go hide.

- Sokka, I wanna...
- Katara, now.

Come on. We need to get somewhere safe.

[wind blowing]

I am Prince Zuko.

Firstborn son of Fire Lord Ozai.

We have no desire to take your homes.

We merely seek someone
who does not belong here.

Someone who is not one of you.

Turn him over now,

or I'll burn this place to the ground.

- Where is he?
- Sokka, you can't give him to them...

- He doesn't belong here.
- It's wrong. You know that!

What I know
is Dad told me to protect the village.

Yes, but remember what Mom told us too.

She said that we have to protect those
who can't protect themselves.

He's lost everything he knows.

- Sokka, don't you see? He's the Avatar!
- And he lied to us about it!

I know how hard
this responsibility has been for you,

but there's more to being a leader
than just catching fish.

You have to give people
something to live for.

That's what the Avatar is. He's hope.

And we need that
just as much as we need food and shelter.

I know I do.

[sighs]

[emotional music playing]

[gate creaking]

[wind blowing]

I am Sokka.

Son of Hakoda.

Lord of, uh,

Snow and Ice.

On behalf
of the Water Tribe Village of Wolf Cove,

I demand that you leave immediately!

If this is the path you've chosen,

then so be it.

Let's settle this between us!
Leader to leader. You really need an army?

I thought you Firebenders had some guts.

Don't fall for it.
We overpower them. It's no contest.

Well, where's the glory in that?

I accept.

[grunting]

[gasps]

[suspenseful action music playing]

[grunting]

[ominous music playing]

Who needs an army now?

[warriors grunt]

[dramatic music playing]

Leave him alone!

[warriors yelling]

Can't be.

[grunting]

- [grunts]
- Ah!

Enough games.
Burn the whole place to the ground.

No!

I'll go with you. Just leave them alone.

I'm the one you're looking for.

- Get him.
- Wait!

[Aang] It's okay, Katara.

No one has ever fought for me before.

I think you're the bravest person
I've ever met.

We have to do something.
Sokka, we have to help him. Sokka!

Okay, listen up.

Reinforce the braces on the gate,
and don't fall behind on drills.

- I saw real sloppiness out there today.
- Drills?

And don't let the younger ones
push you around.

You gotta let 'em know who's in charge.
That's right.

You're in charge.

Now, let's go save that weird kid.

[door clangs]

[keys jangle]

[sighs]

There are many who never imagined
this day would ever come, myself included.

Can I ask you something?

- Uh...
- Forgive me.

I'm Iroh, son of Fire Lord Azulon.

And of course.

Why did the Fire Nation start this w*r?

Ah.

Some people say it is within our nature

to expand and consume like fire itself.

Others believe
that true stability in this world

can only happen under our rule,

so the drive to conquer
is a drive for peace and unity.

But peace comes from respecting life,
not k*lling and destroying.

[Iroh] A noble sentiment, Avatar,

but in the end, for most of us,

it doesn't matter how this w*r started.

It only matters how it can end.

And the belief is that by capturing you,

the Fire Nation
can finally bring that about.

Is that what you believe?

I must leave, but I look forward to
many more conversations with you, Avatar.

In the meantime,
I'll have some jasmine tea sent to you.

It's quite soothing. [chuckles]

- [keys jingle]
- [lock clicks]

[mysterious music playing]

[keys jingle]

[door creaks]

[lock clicks]

[wind blowing]

[indistinct chatter]

- It won't be easy to catch them.
- I know.

Hopefully, we can find a swift current.
Maybe draft off their wake.

Or

we could go another way.

[scoffs] You're not serious.

Katara, no!
There's no way you're getting me on that...

[Sokka screaming]

[suspenseful music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[Aang] The Avatars.

- [creaking]
- [gasps]

[footsteps approaching]

[suspenseful music continues]

[man] Yes, sir, right away.

[indistinct chatter]

[action music playing]

Stop!

[grunts]

[Zuko] Stop him!

- [grunts]
- [man] Get him!

Open fire, now!

[suspenseful music playing]

[grunts] Ah!

[Aang screams]

[grunts]

[dramatic music playing]

[Aang screams]

- [grunts]
- [Sokka grunts]

Hey, kid!

Sokka!

[bellows]

[grunts]

Ah!

[Aang gasps]

[suspenseful music playing]

[Appa groans]

[water splashes]

[uplifting music playing]

[Appa bellows]

[gasps]

[huffing]

[Appa grumbles]

- [sighs]
- [Appa groans]

[foreboding music playing]

[huffing]

[Aang] I can't believe
you guys came for me. Thank you.

It's time we showed those flameheads
they can't step on us.

[chuckles]

The Firebenders aren't gonna give up.
They're gonna keep coming after you.

Which means we can't go home.

It would put everyone in danger.

[wind whistling]

[Appa grumbles]

So where do we go?

[mysterious music playing]

[Appa groans]

[solemn music playing]

Gyatso.

[breathing heavily]

Now, this would be
a huge burden for anyone,

but you're not just anyone, Aang.

You're strong

and kind and generous.

Remember that.

Always remember who you are.

[mystical whirring]

[rumbling]

Aang?

[air whooshes]

[Sokka] What's happening?
What is he doing?

[dramatic music playing]

[Katara] Aang!

Come on!

Aang!

- [thunder crashes]
- [Katara and Sokka scream]

[grunting]

[Katara yelps]

- [Sokka grunts]
- [Katara] Aang!

Stop this!

Please!

Aang!

[Gyatso] Aang,

I can't imagine a better person

to have been given this power.

You are my friend.

You will always be my friend.

[dramatic music swells]

[Sokka grunts softly]

[mystical whirring]

[somber music playing]

[Aang weeping]

[Sokka] So not to be rude,
but what was that?

I don't know.

There's so much I don't know.

The monks are gone, and I'm all alone.

You know,

the thing about losing everything

is that that's when you learn
how strong you really are.

It's when you learn to fight.

[Aang] They made
the ultimate sacrifice for me.

I need to make sure
their deaths weren't in vain.

I need to follow through
on what they wanted me to do.

Complete my training
and master all the other bending skills

so I can bring balance back to the world.

Oh, is that all?

This was my home, and now it's gone.

[foreboding music playing]

[Aang] It's only after
we've lost something

that we realize how much it means to us...

and how we'd do anything to get it back.

[dramatic music playing]

[Aang] Anything.

I don't know where this will all lead,
and I don't know if I have what it takes,

but the one thing I do know is

I'm the Avatar,

and this is just the beginning.

[upbeat drum and flute music playing]