01x05 - Spirited Away

[bunniefuu]

[birds chirping]

[dramatic music playing]

[Aang] Run!

- [soldier] Get them!
- How many are there?

Five? Six?

Maybe more!

[soldier] Faster! This way!

[indistinct yelling]

[Sokka grunts]

[grunts]

[soldier 2] After them!

[suspenseful music playing]

[soldiers grunting]

[Katara] Let's go! Let's go!

[soldier 3] Hurry!

They're getting away!

[Sokka] Hurry!

- [soldier 4] Get them!
- [soldier 5] Go! Go!

[soldier 6] Now we have them!

[soldier 7] Over there!

[Aang screams]

- [Appa bellows]
- [Aang] Whoo!

[Sokka] Whoo-hoo!

[uplifting music playing]

So... ice discs? That's new!

It's something I saw the Earthbenders do.

Thought I'd try a Waterbender version.

Your bending has gotten really sharp.

I mean, you've been inventing new moves.

That's the mark of a skilled bender.

I have been feeling pretty confident,

but I've learned everything I can
from Gran Gran's scroll,

so what I really need is
to get to the Northern Water Tribe.

Waterbending masters there
will be able to take me to the next level.

We've been running into the Firebenders
a lot more often.

We're getting closer
to the Fire Nation border.

It was bound to happen,

even without
Sokka's tragic dating attempts.

Hey, how was I supposed to know
she was a Fire Nation soldier?

Look, we need to keep our guard up,

at least until we get to the North,
where the...

Aang?

[foreboding music playing]

[Appa groans]

[Appa bellows]

[dramatic music playing]

[mysterious music playing]

[somber music playing]

Fire Nation.

Why would they do this?

[Sokka] Why do they do anything?

This is all my fault.

It's the Avatar's job
to protect the natural world.

That's just as important as helping people
and fighting Firebenders.

How many more forests have d*ed
because I wasn't here?

Because I don't know what I'm doing?

[Momo squeaking]

[purrs]

[purrs]

[squeaks]

Gran Gran says... life is a cycle.

And out of death comes new life.

This will be a forest again.

That's what you should see.

Seeds for the future.

Not past mistakes.

Hey!

No, it's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you.

You lost?

Uh,

my name's Sokka.

Rhymes with

"okka" and "wakka wakka."

She looks very brave. She have a name?

Well, maybe we can
come up with one for her.

How about

Pippinpaddle Oppsokopolis?

[chuckles]

The third.

Shi-yong made her for me.

Shi-yong?

Is Shi-yong your friend, or is he...

- Sokka!
- [girl gasps]

No, wait.

[mysterious music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[Sokka] Over there.

There you are.

You know better
than to wander off by yourself.

Hey, she... she dropped this.

We're not here to cause trouble. We...

She was just scared.

Something bad happened here, didn't it?

Please forgive my manners.

- Thank you for helping my daughter.
- No need to apologize.

Living this close to the Fire Nation
means you've gotta stay on your guard.

Yes. We have seen our share of w*r.

Was that how the forest was destroyed?
A battle?

[man] No.

The Firebenders just wanted a clear path
as they moved through the mountains.

And that's why
they b*rned down the forest?

But after the fire,
strange things started happening.

Our crops started dying.
Our... our animals stopped grazing.

It... it's almost as if the land itself
had gotten sick.

A few days ago, we sent out an expedition
to search for food.

And they never came back.

My son, Shi-yong,

he was with them.

We know what it is like to live in fear.

But this, this is something deeper.

It's something

beyond this world.

[foreboding music playing]

You're right.
Your people are beyond this world.

But I can get them back.

[ship horn blares]

Any news?

No, sir.

[Zuko] Nothing?

How many places can there be
for a giant sky bison to hide?

- And no reports of anything unusual?
- None.

Except...

Except what?

One of the resupply merchants
mentioned something about

kids playing with ice blocks
near Senlin Pass,

but he was probably mistaken.

So someone saw ice

in a place where no ice should exist?

Most people would call that unusual,
wouldn't they, Lieutenant Jee?

Unless they were an idiot.

- I'll send some men to investigate.
- [Zuko] No, I'll have to do it myself.

As always.

[ominous music playing]

Commander Zhao is very impressive...

working with no support
in a forgotten little corner of the world,

and yet he found the Avatar.

I've always admired
how you manage your commanders.

You always seem to know
how to get the most out of their talents.

Now,

if it were me,

I'd send more resources to Zhao.

See what he can do with a little support.

"Water the most promising seeds."

You taught me that.

You may be right.

Tell Colonel Shinu
to mobilize the archers.

And alert the chancellor
I'll be redirecting some funds.

And, Azula...

Zhao didn't discover the Avatar. Zuko did.

He's the one who displayed
resilience and dedication.

That's what I expect from a future heir.

Not self-serving flattery
and coy whispers.

[dramatic music playing]

The world we live in
isn't the only world there is.

There's another realm beyond ours.

The Spirit World.

Usually, the two remain separate,

but there are places
where the barrier between them is thin.

So you think the forest
is one of these thin places?

[Aang] I don't think it.

I feel it.

And I believe the fires
weaken the barrier even more.

The Avatar is the bridge between
the natural world and the Spirit World,

and I can feel how close the two are.

It's like ice that's started to cr*ck.

So you're gonna hop into the Spirit World,
grab the lost folks, and hop back.

Something like that. Yeah.

You sounded a lot more confident before.

Because all of this is my responsibility.

Yes, I need to get to the North
so I can save the Waterbenders,

but I also need to help these people

so they don't lose their homes
and the ones they love

the way I lost mine.

It's impossible for you to do everything.

It's like Bumi said,
"The Avatar has to do the impossible."

I need to find where
the spiritual energies are strongest.

And where's that?

I'll know it when I find it.

You almost said something specific.

[grunts]

[mysterious music playing]

Katara?

Aang?

[screams]

[Aang] A shrine
to the spirit of the forest.

This is the place.

[exhales]

So what do we do?

We watch over Aang.

Once his spirit crosses over,
his body will be vulnerable.

We need to protect him.

Oh.

And how will we know that this works?

I'm not sure.

- I'm getting hungry.
- Hey, do you mind?

I'm trying to concentrate here.

[sighs]

[Sokka] Sh.

Sh.

[ethereal music playing]

[mysterious whooshing]

[wood creaking]

[soft growling]

[mystical whirring]

[majestic music playing]

Sokka, I think it worked.

[Sokka] Katara?

Ah!

- What is happening?
- I don't know! Aang?

I've separated my spirit from my body,
but somehow, I brought you guys with me.

How is that possible?

Must be the energies in the place

and the thinness of the barrier
and my power.

Well, get us back! Get us back now!

I'm... I'm sorry.

- [mystical whirring]
- [all grunt]

[Sokka] Uh...

[Aang] We're in the Spirit World.

Don't mention the Avatar.
We can't let word get out.

Agreed. And we should tread lightly.

The Fire Nation
may control this territory,

but it's still Earthbender country.

- We don't want to cause trouble.
- When have I ever caused trouble?

[dog barking]

When, indeed.

[upbeat sitar music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[man laughs]

[man whispers]
They're Fire Nation. Look at them.

Look at their garments.

I heard Waterbenders might've been
around these parts not long ago.

- Did you see them?
- No.

- But you remember hearing about them.
- Sort of.

[Zuko] Perhaps this... will help.

Now,

did you see the Waterbenders?

No.

[Iroh clears throat]

But I heard the Avatar might be traveling
with some Waterbenders.

- What did you say?
- [man] The Avatar.

He's with some Waterbenders.

Isn't that right, Muki?

What? The Avatar?
That's what those pirates said.

No, it wasn't the pirates.
It was that canyon guide.

He said the Avatar
fought off some canyon crawlers

with the help of a couple Waterbenders.

[man] Was he the one who told us about
how they stopped the volcano...

It seems they've heard about the Avatar.

[Muki] Right after they fought
the mad King of Omashu.

[Zuko] I'm gonna lose him.
I'm gonna lose everything!

If word has gotten to this backwoods hole,
that means everyone knows.

Everyone in the Earth Kingdom.
Everyone in the Fire Nation.

The hunters will be out.
There's blood in the water now.

[man grunts]

Help me! She's crazy!

[suspenseful music playing]

[moans softly]

[growling softly]

[roars]

Don't die, you idiot.

I only get half if you die.

What are you looking at?

A low-life bounty hunter.

Low-life? Big talk for a little boy.

I'll let it pass
'cause your dad's kinda cute.

Should've known they would've let
mercenaries run wild here.

[Aang] Gyatso used to tell me that
the Spirit World and the physical world

are tied together.

What happens to one affects the other.
It's kinda like your soul and your body.

Separate but connected.

[Katara] That makes sense.

Gyatso had a way
of making things easy to understand.

He made everything easy.

He sounds amazing.

He was.

You know, I've always felt
I was a spiritually-attuned person.

- Might be why I crossed over with you.
- Is that a frog or a froggy thing?

[croaking]

I have no idea how he got in here.

The villagers are probably trying
to find a way out.

They're probably looking
for something familiar.

Assuming they realize
they don't belong in here.

[deep voice] None of you belong in here.

Uh, who said that?

Who said what?

[voice] No human belongs in this realm.

That is one big birdie.

"Birdie"?

I am no birdie.

I am the spirit of knowledge itself.

Please excuse Sokka.
He didn't mean anything.

- Aang, who are you talking to?
- What do you mean?

They do not hear what you hear.

[hooting]

[owl] Their small minds are incapable
of comprehending my speech.

But I hear you.

[owl] You are the Avatar.

You were meant
to have one foot in this world.

They, however, are interlopers.

And the longer they stay,

the more dangerous
it will become for them.

Dangerous?

Dangerous?

The birdie's not gonna eat us, is it?

That should be the least of his worries.

There are creatures in here
that will do far more

than devour your body.

They'll eat your soul.

Aang? What's he saying?

He says he's not gonna hurt us.

All we want is
to find our missing friends,

and we'll get out of here.

There is one who lives in a stone hut
not far beyond the woods.

He may know what's become of your friends.

Follow the path, and you will find him.

Wait. Wait.
What did you mean about danger?

What could happen to them?

There are things in here
that will reveal truths to humans.

Truths they're never prepared to face.

It will show them who they really are,

and that can cause a great deal of pain.

Farewell, Avatar,

and remember, stay on the path.

[caws]

Bye-bye, Birdie.

- [man] That's enough.
- [grunting]

- The lesson is over, Your Highness.
- [grunting]

[Mai] Azula!

[grunting]

[Mai] Azula!

Azula!

[panting]

[man 2] Are you okay?
Here, let me help you.

Um,

that was intense.

Yeah.

- You could've hurt him.
- That's his fault.

He should've been better.

Except this wasn't about the trainer...
was it?

[foreboding music playing]

Azula, you're the best.

Everybody knows that.

You're perfect.

That's not good enough.

[Zuko] There you are. Where have you been?

Apologies. I got distracted
watching a game of Pai Sho.

The street players in these parts
are quite good.

I'm sure they are. Now let's go.

They didn't follow the expected tactics,
but that was their strength.

Uncle, is there any chance
you could finish this story on the boat?

Prince Zuko, there is much you can learn
from these Pai Sho players.

They are untrained, but that only means
their minds are open to new ideas.

And so they are ready
when a solution reveals itself.

No!

June is the best at what she does,
and that's finding people.

She's a mercenary.
Her loyalty is bought and sold.

How can you trust someone like that?

[Iroh] June is a professional.

If she fails, she doesn't get paid,
and she doesn't eat.

[exhales]

Prince Zuko,
I know you have always believed

there is a right and a wrong way
of doing things.

It is a mark of a great leader,

but the rules are different out here.

Commander Zhao knows this,

and he's already making moves
while we have yet to draw our tiles.

[suspenseful music playing]

[sighs]

So... tell me about this Avatar.

Um...

[mysterious music playing]

[Sokka hyperventilating]

- Oh, did you see that?
- See what?

Did you see... that?

[Katara] Sokka, relax.

The owl said we'd be fine
as long as we stuck to the path.

Right, Aang?

Right.

Aang? What did the owl really say?

He said it could be dangerous
for you guys in here.

That you might have to face the truth.

But how bad could the truth be, right?

Right.

Right?

The truth.

Yeah.

Yeah, I can deal with the truth.

What I can't deal with is getting eaten
by some giant spirit monster.

- [growling]
- [Aang gasps]

- You had to say something.
- [heavy footsteps approaching]

[suspenseful music playing]

Aang, please tell me that's some
spirit language only you can understand,

and it's saying, "Welcome, friends,
would you like some cake?"

That's not what it's saying.

[growling]

[Aang] Just stay on the path.

The owl said it'd be okay
as long as we stay on the path.

- We're on the path. We're on the path.
- [growls]

We're on the path! We're on the path!

[Katara] Get off the path!

[suspenseful music playing]

[grunts]

[Sokka gasps]

[creature growls]

It's the spirit of the forest.

It's wounded.

I can't bend. I can't bend!

I can't either.

Look out!

[growls]

[stomping approaching]

[roars]

Hey, skunky! Why don't you pick on
someone your own size?

[roars]

I... I didn't mean me.

- Sokka!
- Everyone, run!

[roars]

[grunts softly]

[fox] Pain.

Pain.

So much pain.

Actually, they're just scratches.

[fox] Not you. Hei Bai.

Hey, what?

Hei Bai. That spirit.

It's in a lot of pain.

I must've landed harder than I thought.

I'm a little discombobulated.

[fox chuckles]

You're funny.

And you're a talking fox.

Then again,
not the craziest thing I've seen today.

[distant growl]

I need to get to my friends
before they get eaten by that monster.

It's not a monster. It's hurt.

That's what pain does to you.

It changes you
into something that you're not.

Don't you know what it's like to be hurt?

Well, these scratches
are making me pretty irritable, so...

Do you always make jokes
when you don't wanna talk about something?

What? That's not what I do.

You should go.
I hope you can "recombobulate."

Spirit World.

[fox] Oh, and be careful.

[distorted] The fog can be... dangerous.

[Katara] Sokka?

Aang?

[giggles]

- [Katara] Aang?
- [giggles]

[giggles]

[mysterious music playing]

[giggling]

[gasps]

[grunts]

[wind whistling]

[kids giggling]

[indistinct chatter]

[sentimental music playing]

[Katara's mom] Katara.

- Mom?
- [Katara's mom] There you are.

I've been looking all over for you.

This can't be.

- Is it really you?
- [chuckles] What?

Katara, are you okay?

[Katara] It's just been so long.

Come on. We're late.

I'm telling you, four strands is stronger.

I didn't say it wasn't stronger.

I said it was a waste.

[Gran Gran chuckles]

Katara, you're not braiding.

You know I was never good at this.

Sokka used to tease me about...

Where's Sokka?

He and your father should be back
from their fishing expedition soon.

[mysterious music playing]

[mysterious whispering] Katara...

I can't bend.

You will. I know it.

Someday, you are gonna show the world
just how powerful you are.

You will protect all of us.

- [explosions]
- [gasps]

[man] Fire Nation! Run!

Hide her.

[suspenseful music playing]

- [Katara yelps]
- [villagers clamoring]

[Katara's mom gasps]

[villagers screaming]

- [soldier] Find the Waterbender!
- [soldier 2] Go!

Katara, we have to get inside now!

No, I'm not going in there!

[expl*si*n]

[indistinct yelling]

[Katara's mom] Hide.

And whatever you do, don't come out.

[gasps]

Where's the Waterbender?
We know you have one in the village.

All the Waterbenders are gone or dead
because of you.

You're lying.

Turn the bender over.

[Katara's mom gasps]

Or die.

[breathing shakily]

[expl*si*n]

[villagers scream]

[gasps]

Wait!

It's me.

I'm the Waterbender.

[somber music playing]

[screams]

[deep voice] So much fear.

So much despair.

[Katara gasps]

[Sokka] Ooh.

Spirit World. More like mud world.

[sniffs]

It smells like Appa after a rainstorm.

[crunching]

Well, that doesn't seem right.

[mysterious whir]

[panting]

Dad?

[chuckles]

[Sokka's dad] The spirits of water
bear witness to this mark.

For the strength and leadership
displayed during his ice-dodging trials,

I grant this Mark of the Wise...

to Sokka.

To my son.

[men] Huh!

This is the day of my ice-dodging trials.

This is the day
you passed your ice-dodging trials.

Just as the warriors in our family
always have.

- [door opens]
- [man] You did make it exciting though.

Bato!

You were cutting it a little close
around those icebergs, weren't ya?

Yeah, that's right. I lost control.

I...

I didn't know what to do.

If you hadn't have been on the boat
and stepped in...

[Bato] We all came through in one piece.

That's all that matters. Right, Hakoda?

Yes, that's right,
and selecting the right crew

is part of being a wise leader.

It's why we do the trials
with help from our friends.

[Bato] You see?

Why don't you go find your sister?
And we can all celebrate.

[door opens]

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, Sokka.

We just saw your ice-dodging cutter
or what remains of it.

If this is how you pass a test,

I'd hate to see
what you do to a boat when you fail.

[kids laughing]

[boy] What a joke.

[Bato] I didn't think
he'd get in trouble that quickly.

If it weren't for you,
Sokka would have wrecked us.

We're lucky to be alive.

[Bato] It was tricky. Even I only saw
the breakers at the last second.

You don't have to make excuses for him.

I'd hoped,

when he really had to prove himself,
that he'd do...

better.

The truth is, not everyone is meant
to have people's lives in their hands.

[weeping]

[somber music playing]

[footsteps approaching]

[deep voice] Give in to your despair.

[gasps]

[wind blowing]

[Aang] Katara!

Sokka!

[indistinct chatter]

[emotional music playing]

Home.

It isn't real.

It isn't real.

[sighs]

[sighs]

[rustling]

- [mysterious whirring]
- [distant laughing]

What have we here?

Someone who can resist?

That can't be possible.

Unless...

Ah, of course.

It's my old friend, the Avatar.

Do I know you?

[creature] I should say so.

One of your previous incarnations
tried to slay me.

Why would I try to k*ll you?

Oh, it was something about
stealing the face of someone you loved.

But you know all about stealing,
don't you?

Perhaps you've come
to return what you stole from me.

I don't know what you're talking about.
All I want is to find my friends.

[laughs]

Your friends?

Now, why would I let you
play with my food?

[suspenseful music swells]

[creature's footsteps approaching]

[creature laughing]

[suspenseful music continues]

[grunts]

[heartfelt music playing]

[tapping]

Hello?

Aang?

Gyatso?

[chuckles] Aang!

You finally made it!

This isn't... this isn't real.
It can't be. It's another trick.

It's another illusion.

I know it's hard to believe,
but... it's really me.

There are lots of Illusions here,
but you've emerged from the fog.

This is real.

Recognize this?

One of the last games we played.

Hey!

[Aang grunts]

Ah.

Your turn.

Cheater.

[laughs]

[sentimental music swells]

I can't believe it's really you.

How is this possible?

How are you... here?

Ah. Well...

after you left the Southern Air Temple,
the Firebenders att*cked.

It was sudden and swift.

Most who perished
moved on in the Great Cycle.

I chose a different path.

You chose not to move on
to the next stage of enlightenment?

Why?

Because

I knew you would need me.

I do need you.

I'm supposed to be the Avatar,
and everyone is counting on me,

except I don't know what I'm doing.

But now you're here.

Aang, I can't tell you
how to be the Avatar.

Of course you can.

Avatar Kyoshi told me
that I need to get to the North

to prevent a great tragedy from happening.

Except... I don't know how.

I don't know anything.

- You know a lot more than you think.
- [Aang] I doubt that.

I mean, how am I supposed
to save the world

if I can't even save...

my friends?

They're somewhere in the fog.

Ah.

[grunts]

That is the Fog of Lost Souls.

A place that imprisons people
in their darkest memories,

and it is the hunting ground for Koh,
the face stealer.

He preys on those
paralyzed by despair and doubt.

He must have the villagers too.
The ones we came to rescue.

[Gyatso] Koh
will have taken them to his lair.

Koh will hold them there
until he's ready to feed.

[squelching]

[Gyatso] When that happens,

their souls will be lost forever.

[Koh chitters]

I have to save them!

Koh is a primal spirit,

a dangerous and ruthless predator.

There is no way to defeat him.

I have to try.

I have to do something.

Koh.

He said that he knew me.

That I've taken something from him.

It's true. Previous Avatars
have tangled with Koh.

It's said Roku once
even got the best of the spirit,

but nobody knows exactly what happened.

Okay.

Then... I need to talk to Roku.

I've contacted Avatar Kyoshi
at her shrine.

I can do the same with Roku.

Except Roku's temple
is in the Fire Nation.

- It'll be a dangerous journey.
- I don't have a choice.

I'll be back.

[Gyatso] Aang!

There's something I need to tell you.

You... couldn't have done anything...
if you'd stayed with us.

You couldn't have stopped the Fire Nation.

You couldn't have prevented the w*r.

You would have just d*ed
along with everyone else.

It's not your fault.

So... let go.

[sighs]

Can we talk about it when I get back?

Of course.

You should hurry.
Koh will feed again before too long.

Right. Once I save my friends,
we'll have more time.

[sentimental music playing]

Time.

Time is a funny thing.

The past, the future,

it all gets mixed up.

[mystical whirring]

There's only one way to keep it straight.

It's by remembering what really matters.

[Aang] I hope
you can help me, Avatar Roku.

I know you're in pain. I saw your spirit.

I'm gonna make this right,
and I'm gonna save my friends.

I promise.

[Appa grunts]

- Sorry, buddy. You can't come this time.
- [Momo squeaks]

- [Appa grunts]
- You too, Momo.

[Appa groans]

It's too dangerous.

Keep them safe for me, okay?

- [groans]
- [squeaking]

[Gyatso] Of course, keeping sight
of what's important can be hard.

[soldiers cheering]

[Gyatso] Sometimes it feels like
we'll always be alone.

[cheering]

[Gyatso] And the only thing
keeping us company is our own pain.

[grunts]

[grunting]

[Gyatso] We tell ourselves
we are the problem.

[yells]

[Gyatso] Especially when things
we can't control come our way.

[dramatic music playing]

[Gyatso] That's why we must let go
of our pain and regret

and remember what it is
we're really fighting for.

The ones we love.

Let that be the light that guides you
through the most treacherous of times...

and the darkest of nights.

[wind whistling]

[drum beats]

[upbeat drum and flute music playing]