Day 234: Fixing ‘The Last Airbender’ — Act II

Bringing back two characters
In this act, I’m including two characters who were omitted from The Last Airbender entirely.
The Kiyoshi Warriors — both a fan favorite and a much-needed injection of strong female characters in the story, the Kyoshi Warriors establish a positive legacy for the avatar and play a key role in the whole series.
June — riding a shirshu who can track a scent from anywhere in the world, June is an dry-witted allegiant-less bounty hunter who will come in handy for Zhao’s intentions, and she has some fun moments with Iroh.
This video is also a source of inspiration for my desire to include them.
The Plot of Act II
Act II, Part I — Arrival at Kyoshi Island
Filled with purpose, Team Avatar sets sail to the north and stumbles upon Kiyoshi Island. Aang insists on going there to learn more about the previous avatar and have some fun as well (e.g. “koi fish surfing”). They are “greeted” by the Kyoshi Warriors, initially hostile but welcoming upon realizing they’re with the avatar.
While Aang is enjoying his celebrity reputation on the island, Katara grows jealous from Aang’s lack of attention. Sokka meets their leader Suki and develops a rapport with her after a “Kyoshi Warrior” lesson, but he fights any romantic urges because he’s attached to Princess Yue.
Eventually, Katara and Aang reconcile and admit that they might care for each other more than they realize. The Avatar world is at peace until…
Act II, Part II — Recruiting the Tracker & Earthbender Prison
Zhao and Iroh recruit June to help find the whereabouts of the Avatar using a lock of Appa’s hair. The three surprise everyone at Kyoshi Island, setting the island’s village on fire and capturing the Team, including Appa. Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors remain to fight off the Fire Nation.
(Meeting the tracker could make more sense before Team Avatar’s arrival at Kyoshi Island. Discuss…)
Depleted by the battle, Zhao takes Team Avatar to an offshore metal prison for earthbenders and conscripts more soldiers. The Team discovers a broken-down group of benders, and even Aang’s presence is not enough to inspire them to keep fighting.
Katara inspires the earthbenders to rise up against the Fire Nation guards. Using some ingenuity and airbending, Sokka and Aang divert a large pile of bendable coal for them to access. Their efforts trigger a riot, which creates an opportunity for Team Avatar to free Appa and escape.
Act II, Part III —The Blue Spirit
A strange masked person infiltrates the prison at the same time of the riot’s outbreak. Zhao orders the soldiers to detain Aang by any means necessary. At first Aang thinks the Blue Spirit is an ally, and they work together to easily overcome the Fire Nation guards.
When confronted by Zhao and Iroh, the Blue Spirit raises his swords against Aang’s throat. Knowing that the Fire Lord wants Aang alive, they have no choice but to permit their escape. As they leave by a small engine-powered boat, an arrow strikes The Blue Spirit and renders him unconscious.
The Blue Spirit awakens on a nearby shore, his mask lying adjacent to him. Aang sits at a safe distance, realizing that the Blue Spirit is Prince Zuko. Confused, Aang offers a truce, but Zuko attacks Aang, forcing him to flee. Aang regroups with Team Avatar and heads off to the North Pole.
Next up, Act III. This one’s a challenge.
— Lee
