ATLA- Faith's Story

Chapter 9: The Library

Aang sits in a cross legged position on the ground looking over a vast open savanna landscape. The landscape is mostly barren save for small shoots of grass which bend in the breeze. A range of mountains can be seen in the distance. The ground in front of Aang is littered with holes. Appa, Faith, Sokka, Toph, Katara, Melody and Momo stand behind Aang. The Avatar is holding a thin wooden flute in both hands.

Sokka: What's out here?

Toph: (Puts her hand on the ground.) A lot, actually. There's hundreds of little...

Aang: (Turns around and silences Toph.) Shh! I know you can see underground, but don't ruin the surprise. Just watch. (Blows a note on the flute. A groundhog-type creature pops out of a hole in the ground and mimics the note.) Yeah! (Plays another note and another groundhog mimics it.) I'm putting an orchestra together.

Sokka: (Makes hand motions while looking on with annoyance.) Orchestra, huh? Well, la-di-da.

Three groundhogs pop out of the ground and sing descending notes. Momo jumps into a hole and comes out the middle one, trying to catch the groundhogs. Aang plays four notes and Momo tries to catch the groundhogs that pop up. Aang plays another note as Sokka runs up to Aang and plugs the flute with his finger, causing nothing to play. As Aang's cheeks swell with air, the Avatar looks at Sokka with a sad expression.

Sokka: (Annoyed.) This is great and all, but don't we have more important things to worry about? We should be making plans.

Toph: We did make plans. We're all picking mini-vacations.

Sokka: There's no time for vacations.

Aang: I'm learning the elements as fast as I can. I practice hard every day with Toph, Faith and Katara. I've been training my arrow off!

Katara: (Walks next to Aang.) Yeah, what's wrong with having a little fun in our down time?

Sokka: Even if you do master all of the elements, then what? It's not like we have a map of the Fire Nation. (Gestures to the side, sarcastically.) Should we just head west until we reach the Fire Lord's house? (Knocking on an imaginary door.) Knock, knock. Hello, Fire Lord? Anybody home? I don't think so. We need some intelligence if we're going to win this war.

Aang plays a note on the flute and a groundhog pops up underneath Sokka and sings the note.

Katara: All right, we'll finish our vacations and (Mockingly.) then we'll look for Sokka's intelligence. (Aang laughs.)

Aang: (Opening a map and shows it to Katara.) Your turn, Katara. Where would you like to go on your mini-vacation?

Katara: (Pointing at the map.) How about the Misty Palms Oasis? That sounds refreshing.

Aang: Oh, yeah, I've been there. It's a pristine natural ice spring. And I usually don't use the word "pristine". It's one of nature's wonders.

Faith: It's a nice relaxing place too.

Scene of Misty Palm Oasis, which has a small ice spring in the center. Faith, Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph stare at the oasis in disappointment.

Aang: Must've changed ownership since I was here. (Laughs sheepishly.)

Faith: Looks nothing like before.

They walk through the entrance and the hanging sign falls down. Team Avatar walk past the small ice spring. They walk into the bar and pass five sandbenders hanging around outside. One sandbender spits at Sokka's feet. Sokka looks at the man angrily. The man utters a raspy groan, slurps, and chuckles. Katara grabs Sokka and pulls him into the bar, which is filled with weary travelers.