Wakey-wakey, Twinkle Toes!
BA SING SE WELCOMES THE AVATAR
Sai.
Smash time, Windbreaker!
Sai!
Up and at 'em, Bald Wonder!
Sai!
Let's go, Melonhead.
You in there?
Snorebender!
Sai?
Flight Risk!
Boomerang!
Bald Sing Sae!
Are you… fighting me?
Not bad for an Airbender.
Fire Nation military amassing. This is their rally point.
-There's tank regiments now. -We need to warn Ba Sing Se. Should I go?
No. I'll go.
Remember us?
Don't you know that fans just make flames stronger?
You're pretty strong.
True.
You're good at bending things that are close to you.
-Very true. -But you're not subtle.
Sometimes you need to bend things that are far away.
Like this?
More like this.
Like what?
I knocked a date away from Sokka with a tiny stone pillar.
-Really? -Now you try.
-How can I bend something I can't see? -Whoa!
No, I didn't. I--
Don't apologize.
But your problem is now suddenly very obvious.
Put this on.
Now you have to see beyond what you can see.
Huh?
I can tell that whatever is in front of your eyes
is a big distraction for you.
Try and bend up a wall behind you.
No, okay, no. No.
Okay.
Remember when we first met,
how I told you that everything is vibrating?
This is what I mean.
There's… a secret life of the world
that you need to feel.
A life beneath the sand.
Beneath the rock.
Beneath everything you think you know.
Real life.
If you can feel it,
then you can change it.
Now bend a tiny pillar up on that porch.
Okay.
Did I do it?
That must be Long Feng. I gotta go. See ya.
How's your new job?
Hmm.
This is cold.
Where are the… where are the spark rocks?
When did we get this?
-It looks expensive. -We needed a new one.
It's wonderful to see the impact you have had on the city.
It's been nice.
I didn't really know being the Avatar could be like this.
It is how it should be.
What's wrong?
-You know about earthbending. -Yes.
I used to be, uh… quite good myself.
Do you know about how everything is vibrating in the secret life to the world?
Or something.
Mm-mm.
Toph was telling me, if I focus,
I should be able to feel what's happening underneath.
The real world.
But I can't seem to get it.
You have a unique nature, Aang.
It's something that is apparent right away.
You see the good in everyone.
And because you see that goodness, you can bring it out of people.
Now, I don't pretend to be an earthbending master,
but it sounds like what you're trying to do
is distrust the way you see the world.
If you ask me,
I think you should trust your heart.
At least that's how I try to live.
Maybe that's naive?
No.
I think that's what I believe too.
Well, well, well…
Isn't this quaint?
-Professor, how'd it go? -Well, this is all I could find.
Hey.
Unfortunately, the university library is terrible.
Is that food just… for anyone?
Oh, yeah, help yourself.
Uh, so what's the problem with the library?
It's a disaster.
Hundreds of tomes have been stolen or censored over the years.
-Why would someone steal books? -Well, knowledge is power.
And power must remain in the hands of those who fear losing it.
I, of course, believe that knowledge, for the sake of knowledge itself,
is the purest human pursuit.
It's why I've been searching for the lost library of the spirits.
Wait, the spirits have a library?
It used to just be outside Ba Sing Se,
but it vanished a hundred years ago.
I would give anything for a single day to peruse its contents.
Is this mango?
Oh, that one should have the schematics for a telescope. Yeah.
You must know all about celestial navigation,
being a seafaring people.
Yeah. Uh, well, this isn't for sailing.
It's for
Avatar purposes.
Oh.
We had a telescope. Or
my friend did.
He's missing.
So I'm gonna try to make my own.
Your friend. How long has he been missing?
Weeks, almost since we got here.
Why?
It's not only books that go missing in the city.
Over the years, teachers who asked the wrong questions
or students who tried to organize protests
would suddenly vanish.
Taken.
Taken by who?
I shouldn't have said anything.
Uh…
Professor, wait. Our… our friend is key to our mission here.
He's a man of learning, like us.
If your friend was taken, all of you could be in danger…
from the Dai Li.
The king's guard?
But why would they take Sai?
Did he know something
that might be a threat to the Earth King's rule over Ba Sing Se?
Enjoy.
Excuse me. Is Mushi here?
No. He took a break.
I think he went to the market.
You're the nephew.
Aren't you?
Yeah.
He's really sweet, you know.
We all call him Uncle. Though he's pretty shy.
Shy?
Do you know when he'll be back?
No. You wanna come in and wait for him?
Or are you shy too?
No. I'll see him at home. Thanks.
Hey.
Lee, right? I was wondering when I'd run into you.
Don't you look miserable? Working stiff, I see.
Hey.
You know, we made a great team back there on the ferry.
And I got a little something going on for myself here.
If you're interested, maybe we can help each other out?
No, thanks.
Come on. It'll be fun.
It's payback for that restaurant that got torched.
Who do people think did it?
It was a fire.
Obviously, it was the lowlifes from the Fire Nation district.
The what?
You don't know?
There's a group of reformed Fire Nation people
living in the old stables across the park.
They're not supposed to firebend or make trouble,
but trouble's in their blood.
A group of concerned citizens are going there tonight to discuss the matter.
If some… light rioting or looting breaks out…
You want in?
I could use someone to watch my back.
What about your friends?
I'm done with them.
Yeah, they don't see the world the way that we do.
Meet me at sundown.
It'll be fun.
What about these? I would like…
The Fire Nation army ravaged this city when they broke down our wall!
Never forget what those demons did to our parents,
our families,
to all of us!
Remember their names.
BLOOD FROM A STONE. REMEMBER.
Never forget the siege.
Stop right there!
Never forget our dead!
Nothing to see here! Get going!
Leave!
Now!
Princess Azula is coming.
What? When?
-My princess. -Your perimeter is compromised.
We apprehended spies who could've reported your movements to Ba Sing Se
and warned the city about the attack.
We will tighten the perimeter at once, but I must inform you
the attack has been postponed.
Until when?
Indefinitely.
Orders arrived this morning from the Fire Lord himself.
What reason did he give?
He said the timing was unfavorable.
He
gave no reason.
Don't lie to me again. I don't have time for this.
My brother is in that city. I was counting on the attack
to give us cover to get in and hunt him down.
You could order the attack anyway.
I'd bet he'd do anything for you.
There must be some message your father's trying to send you.
You're right. He approved the plan as his endorsement.
He wouldn't then call it off unless…
he thinks there's a better plan.
He told you your mission
was more important than the attack.
I've been thinking about this a lot, and
it's really weird that he was put in charge of your attack
when you're the smartest one here.
You're right, Ty Lee.
That was really weird, wasn't it?
My plan.
My attack.
My mission.
-You're loyal. -Yes, Princess.
Devoted.
Yes, Princess.
You would do anything I order you to do.
Anything,
Princess.
Good.
What?
-Moon peach wine. -Oh.
Just another bribe someone left with a marriage proposal.
Oh.
Weird.
What are you doing?
What?
Okay, what is that?
Oh, I'm sorry.
Is my tea drinking disturbing you while you're trying to eat?
Yeah, a little.
You know, it's kind of funny.
Because last night, and every night for a while now,
I have been sound asleep
and then clonk, clonk, clonk.
I hear someone's big old feet clomping through the house
and out the door.
Okay. I'm not hurting anyone.
In fact, I'm actually helping-- Will you stop that?
Look, I don't need to know what you're doing or why.
Why would you tell me you knew I was sneaking out
if you didn't wanna know why?
Because Aang is getting pretty good at earthbending,
and soon, he's gonna be able to feel these things the way I do.
So then he'll know.
Right.
And you know how he is about you.
What?
You know, how he acts when you're around,
and he thinks you're…
His friend?
Yeah.
That's… that's what I meant. That friendship.
It's so… strong. That's definitely why I said all those words.
Toph, are you--
You know, that is… That's probably for me anyway.
So I'm just gonna, uh…
Oh, yeah, uh-huh. Okay. Uh, see ya!
Oh.
Hi there.
Hello, Miss Beifong. I'm enthralled to make your acquaintance.
Lau Wong. At your service.
Yeah, yeah. Nice to meet you too.
I have a proposal for you.
You sound a little old to be proposing to someone like me.
No, no, no.
Uh, my proposal is of a more delicate nature.
It has to do with your parents' business.
Oh, yeah.
Not involved in that, friendo, but you can shoot your shot if you want.
As I said, this is delicate.
I think we should remove ourselves from any prying ears.
No way. You've gotta be, like,
the shadiest person I've met in the city so far.
I'm definitely not following you to a second location.
If you don't hear me out,
I'll send my information straight to the authorities.
I can assure you that what I know will be damaging beyond repair
to the Avatar's good standing.
So, you believe Professor Zei?
You think Sai was taken?
It makes sense why he hasn't responded of my messages.
I need to get a look inside.
I'll have to pick the lock.
The messages I left him are gone.
And all of his things.
Sai? Sai?
Oh, I thought Sai was finally back.
What do you mean "finally"?
I haven't seen him since our first night in Ba Sing Se.
I sent messages to Katara, asking for help.
-Didn't you guys get them? -No.
We didn't.
What… is all this?
We found it like this.
You must inform me of your movements
so that I can assist you as you navigate the city.
There could be serious consequences for activities like this.
Joo Dee, our friend Sai lives here, and he's missing.
Of course he's not missing.
He's been employed in a highly coveted position
with the Ba Sing Se Royal Engineers.
Their work is of incredible value, so they're housed in the palace.
But no one's heard from him.
I'll look in on him at the palace
and tell him you inquired about him, Amita.
You see, everything is fine.
Catch.
Who are you?
Are you Fire Nation?
We are true Fire Nation.
Then what are you doing here?
-Living free. -Free?
Your whole neighborhood's fenced in. It's filthy.
We are free from the warmongering tyranny of Ozai.
You mean Fire Lord Ozai.
He is not my Fire Lord.
I would rather live a hundred years as the filth of the Earth Kingdom
than spend one more day under the command of that despot.
What difference does it make to you how we live?
I just came here to warn you.
There was a fire.
It was an accident, but some men are coming here tonight to blame you for it.
An accident?
I'm sure you know nothing about it.
I saw how you caught that piece of fruit. Blazing ring form.
You may have cut your hair, but you can't cut the fire from your soul.
Just be ready for them.
How?
We're not allowed to bend.
It's a condition of our asylum.
You were the one who chose to live here.
This isn't the first time I've been asked to fight someone else's battles.
Maybe you can hide, or… take everyone out of here for the night.
-I don't know. -We've been warned.
You've done your job.
Now do yourself a favor, boy.
Don't come back here.
Only a fool seeks his own destruction.
I have news for you.
I was able to confirm that your friend, Sai,
was brought to the palace.
-He was? -It isn't good.
He was brought in by the Dai Li, not the Royal Engineers.
He was questioned.
Questioned about what?
-The comet? -No.
Some nonsense about him being a Fire Nation spy.
Okay.
Technically, he was a spy back in Omashu.
But he was doing it to keep the city safe.
They say he tried to kill the king.
Not on purpose. And Bumi was fine.
That is not good, Aang.
It may have set us back in our efforts to see the king.
There's something else.
I think someone's been following me.
-The Dai Li? -I don't know.
I'm not sure what to do about it.
Do nothing.
If they're keeping an eye on you,
it's just to make sure you're not a threat.
As long as you keep out of trouble,
the Dai Li will see that you're worthy of an audience with the king.
Stay out of trouble. That's his advice?
I don't like any of this. Without Sai, I'm gonna have to build a telescope.
Look at this.
I have no idea what I'm doing.
Why didn't you tell us that someone was following you?
Sokka tried to tell you something was wrong,
but you didn't believe it until Long Feng said it.
I trust Long Feng. He's been helping us.
It's the first time since Gyatso
I actually feel like someone understands the pressure that I'm under.
We understand. We've been doing this with you.
You have?
'Cause it feels like you've been sleeping since we got here.
I haven't seen you in days.
Look, we know you like being the Avatar here,
meeting people, and making people smile--
No, it's… it's not just that.
I've been training with Toph every single day.
Do you guys want me to master all four elements
and save the world, stop the war, don't you?
So what's the problem?
The problem is… it seems like you trust Long Feng more than you trust us.
Do you even have to think about that?
Of course
I trust you guys more.
Okay.
What do we do?
Well, this might come as a shock, but I actually have a plan.
Whoever's following you is definitely Dai Li, right?
So, next time you see them,
you use your airbending wiles and follow them.
Then you can follow them to Dai Li headquarters,
and maybe we can find Sai there.
You're right. We need intelligence.
-Sokka most of all. -Yeah, wait.
Your parents truly are brilliant people.
Born at the top, stayed at the top. Doesn't really take a genius.
Mmm.
But you don't know what the war has been like for business.
They've adapted.
The Beifong Empire consists of hundreds of smaller companies,
whose connection to your parents is, mmm,
obscured by many layers of financial mumbo jumbo.
Mmm! Well, you do strike me as an expert on mumbo jumbo.
You are charmingly direct.
So I will be direct with you.
I have some documents that prove that several of these companies
have lucrative contracts
selling pistons, gears, sheet metal, and more
to a military factory in Jang Hui.
A Fire Nation factory.
My parents always say, "Business knows no borders."
Yes. Well, I think the Earth King might feel differently.
There may be no war in Ba Sing Se,
but treason…
…is fair game.
There's a market up ahead.
You know your way around here?
I've been spending time down here.
So that's where you've been.
Yeah.
You were earthbending. It's not like you needed me for anything.
And I'm here now, right?
-Yeah, I guess. -Aang, what's your problem?
Katara,
don't say anything.
Okay.
The spy is behind me in a hat.
Right.
I'll distract Joo Dee.
Good idea. Act normal.
Normal.
Oh, Joo Dee.
We were hoping you might help us with a little shopping.
As a matter of fact,
I am an expert in the commerce of the Lower Ring. If you'll follow me.
That would be so helpful.
What we really need is--
Cabbages! Fresh cabbages for sale!
Cabbages.
No charge for you. Of course.
We have much more refined delicacies in the Upper Ring.
-Oh. -I just need a few fresh ones.
They're all fresh.
And round.
The roundest in Ba Sing Se.
Very well.
Wonderful. You won't regret it.
Uh, you want the round one?
Cabbages are actually quite elegant. Each of them are special.
They have their own personalities.
Hear that?
Divinity.
This will suffice.
Katara. Aang…
Katara?
Oh! Wait…
-Avatar! -Hey.
-Katara! -But…
My cabbages!
It's happening tonight.
The old stables.
-We're gonna make them pay. -Yes.
And not just the ones who did it.
Harbor a fugitive, bleed for a fugitive.
We're gonna get revenge.
For your family.
For your friends.
All of you.
Avatar, wait!
What is she doing?
Oh, not you. I meant my friend.
Sorry. Excuse me.
We welcome this eve
to our stage of well-worn boards
a flower called Ting.
Through all the long night
Winter moon glows with bright love
Sleet her silver tears
Oh!
Wonderful. Wonderful.
Cascading water…
Ow. Yeah, you caught me. Here I am at a poetry class.
-Toph, what were you doing up there? -It's none of your business.
Of course it's my business. Mysterious stuff is happening in the city.
And from what I just saw, you might be part of it.
-I'm not! -I don't believe you!
Five, seven, then five
Syllables mark a haiku
Remarkable oaf
Oh, I'm no poet.
Just a humble warrior worried for my friend.
Oh.
Oh, hey, Toph? Hey, Toph?
He wades in water
Too warm for a floe of ice
Turn around or melt
I can't turn around
I can withstand any heat
If it's for my team
Ooh!
-Thank you. -Bending is the team
Water, earth, air, and fire
You contribute none
Oh!
I was born this way
A
burden I have to bear
You should understand
Winter calls spring friend
But it longs to frost flowers
Blind is no burden
No!
Blind is your strength
Born
with wealth is a burden
I do understand
Inquisitive bird
Caves hold secrets that aren't yours
Stay in the clear skies
In any season, I'm as solid as steel
I can keep secrets
A mountain may ask
What keeps the night sky awake
Does it even care?
Yes!
I care about my friends I care about you
And you are one
Oh man. How many syllables am I on? Was that…
Oh!
Oh, okay. Okay.
Okay.
Not bad for your first time.
Honestly, I don't have any idea how I was able to go on that long.
Well, it was nice what you said.
If we really are friends,
you don't have to tell me what was going on.
I trust you.
Um, okay.
That guy was blackmailing me. I bought proof from him
that my parents are selling weapons to the Fire Nation.
Wow, that is way worse than I thought it was.
-Wait, what did you think it was? -I don't know. Like, gambling debts or…
You're not gonna tell the others, are you?
No. Like I said, solid as steel.
Besides, we got bigger problems.
Wait, what?
Your money. Now.
Give me your money.
Now.
No.
Give me your money, or I'm gonna kill you!
I swear I will!
All those names.
What?
What are you talking about?
-It should've been me. -Shut up!
It should've been me that day.
It should've been me that day!
Just give me your money.
I don't want to.
I don't want to…
I'm just…
I'm just so hungry.
I don't wanna kill anyone.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
Come.
Sit.
Thank you.
Don't let anyone leave.
I know you're here looking for revenge, but you're looking in the wrong place.
-He lies! -Keep your eyes on them!
-He's lying. They're hiding the culprit. -Yeah!
I'm hiding nothing!
I was an officer
ordered to do terrible things.
Men, boys… died under my command.
So I deserted the Fire Nation Army.
An act of treason that saved your people's lives.
This is lies.
I risked my life
for you.
He's the one who did it!
Fire Nation scum!
Ah!
Katara?
Why are you helping these people? They're Fire Nation!
The tea shop I work at is located in the Lower Ring.
You should come by.
Perhaps I can put in a good word for you.
At the very least, you can enjoy a nice hot cup of jasmine tea.
No.
There are people in this city I can help.
If only I could have helped you,
my son.
Who are you?
Where's Sai?
I know you.
-You're from the Outer Wall. -Yes, he is.
And we didn't take your friend.
General Sung.
The Dai Li have spies everywhere, and we needed to talk to you in secret.
It's a great risk for me and my soldiers to come into the city.
The army controls the Outer Wall.
The Dai Li controls the city, and they don't want us talking.
Why not?
Because there is a massive Fire Nation army
assembling out there.
An attack is imminent.
But you said there is no war in Ba Sing Se.
What did you expect me to say at the palace?
The party was crawling with Dai Li agents.
This is why…
Look, we don't have long before your Dai Li handler
launches an extensive search for you.
My handler?
Joo Dee.
You said you have an urgent message for the Earth King.
I can help you deliver it to him if you help me rally him to action.
What is it you needed to tell him?
You knocked me out and kidnapped me. How can I trust you?
The leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, Suki,
told me something when I asked for her help.
Words you said to her a long time ago.
That where you're from, people helped each other.
That is the world we want to bring back.
The Great Comet's on its way back.
The comet that gives Firebenders extreme power.
It's how they were able to wipe out the Air Nomads a hundred years ago.
Do you know when it will arrive?
That's why I followed your lieutenant. I thought he was Dai Li.
They locked up the one person who has proof, Sai.
Long Feng has been the only one helping us to find him.
Long Feng?
He's been our strongest ally in the city.
He's helping us try and get around the Dai Li.
Aang.
Long Feng is the Dai Li.
No, that's not true. The Dai Li are the king's guards.
Operating under Long Feng's command. He and only he controls the Dai Li.
You cannot trust him.
No! You're wrong. Long Feng is my friend.
Has Long Feng ever let you meet with the king?
This was a mistake.
Avatar, wait!
I need to see the Earth King.
I demand to see the Earth King right now!
Aang.
What a surprise.
I wanna see the Earth King.
Like I told you, it is easier said than done.
There's the Fire Nation army just beyond the wall.
Did you know?
We are quite safe from any army here.
You should know that by now.
There is no war in Ba Sing Se.
It's late.
Why don't I ask Joo Dee to escort you home?
I'll see you in the morning.
Who are you?
I'm Joo Dee.
No, thank you.
I'll see myself out.
Have a good night, Aang.
And remember, you and I,
we're in this together.
Where'd you go?
Aang. I have to tell you something.
Joo Dee came running in five seconds after I left.
Almost blew the whole thing.
-I'm sorry. -It's fine.
I didn't even need you. I… dealt with it.
I said I'm sorry. I…
What's going on?
Did you find who was following you?
Yeah.
I did.
And, guys, we're in big trouble.
You don't have to worry about that Fire Nation army any longer.
This is their general.
He resisted, but he was no match.
We welcome the renowned Kyoshi Warriors back to Ba Sing Se.