The sky is mostly cloudy and the clouds reflect the light of the dying sun. A patched up tent is being jostled about from the inside. A rolled up tarp lies next to the tent. Sokka is inside the tent, trying to assemble it. Sokka can be heard grunting and fussing about as he tries to finish setting up the shelter. Katara walks over to him, with a pile of fire wood in her arms.
Katara: Um, aren't you forgetting the tarp?
Sokka: Right, got it... (Tosses the wrapped up tarp inside the tent.)
Katara: Sokka, you're supposed to put the tarp on top of the tent. You know, so we don't get rained on? (Sokka gestures widely as he replies to his sister.)
Sokka: Ordinarily, you'd be right, but seeing how it's the dry season, you're not. Besides that tarp makes a pretty warm blanket.
Katara: But what if it does rain?
Sokka: (Spreading his arms wide in exasperation.) What if it doesn't? Then I would have put up the tarp for nothing.
Katara: You're infuriating!
Sokka: Katara, why don't you worry about gathering firewood, because that kindling is looking pretty sorry.
Katara: (Angrily.) Well, if you don't like my firewood- (Throws the sticks at Sokka who shields himself from the wood. He stands in anger after the hail of sticks subsides.)
Sokka: (Angrily.) Fine by me, if you're not gonna do your job- (He tears the tent down and the two stare at each other angrily as Aang approaches followed by Faith.)
Aang: Okay, we got the grub if you guys got the- (The siblings turn away from each other in anger with their arms folded.) Hey, where's the campfire? And what happened to the tent?
Sokka: Why don't you ask Miss Know-It-All, Queen of the Twigs.
Faith: (Laughs slightly.) Really?
Katara: Oh yeah? Well, you're Mister Lazy Bum, King of the (Picks up and throws a twig at Sokka's head.) Tents! (Sokka turns around, looking angrily at her.)
Aang: (Faith laughs historically; Aang is also laughing.) Okay, listen guys, harsh words won't solve problems, action will. Why don't you just switch jobs?
Katara: Sounds good.
Sokka: (At the same time.) Whatever.
Aang: (Grinning while gloating.) You see that? Settling feuds and making peace, all in a day's work for the Avatar.
Faith: (Grinning.) Well done Mr Peace Maker.
Aang turns his head to see Momo and Appa fighting over a watermelon. Momo continuously tries to fly away with it, while Appa pins it down. Aang takes the melon and uses airbending to slice it. Momo seems to be complaining about how he got the much smaller half and Appa got the bigger half.
Aang: Come on, Momo, that's fair. Appa's got five stomachs. (Appa eats his half of the melon.)
The scene fades to show the group standing on the edge of a huge canyon.
Aang: There it is, guys, The Great Divide.
Katara: (In awe.) Wow, I could just stare at it forever.
Sokka: Okay, I've seen enough.
Katara: How can you not be fascinated Sokka? This is the largest canyon in the entire world.
Faith: (Smiles.) People have different tastes Katara, Maybe this just doesn't interest him. (Shrugs and stands beside Aang.)
Sokka: Thank you Faith. (Faces Katara.) Besides I'm sure we'll be able to see it very clearly from the air while we fly away.
Gan Jin tribesman: (Shoving past Sokka.) If you're looking for the canyon guide, I was here first!
Katara: Ooh, canyon guide? Sounds informative.
Gan Jin tribesman: Believe me, he's more than a tour guide, he's an earthbender, (Oblivious to the fact that Sokka is behind him, mocking him.) and the only way in and out of the canyon is with his help, and he's taking my tribe across next.
Sokka: Calm down, we know you're next.
Gan Jin tribesman: You wouldn't be so calm if the Fire Nation destroyed your home and forced you to flee! My whole tribe has to walk thousands of miles to the capital city of Ba Sing Se.
Katara: You're a refugee!
Gan Jin tribesman: Huh, tell me something I don't know.
A large group of poorly dressed people is shown walking toward them.
Katara: Is that your tribe?
Gan Jin tribesman: It most certainly is not! That's the Zhang tribe, a bunch of low-life thieves. They've been the enemies of my tribe for a hundred years. (Whistles to them.) Hey, Zhangs! I'm saving a spot for my tribe so don't even think about stealing it!
Zhang leader: Where are the rest of the Gan Jin? Still tidying up their camp site?
Gan Jin tribesman: Yes, but they sent me ahead of them to hold a spot.
Zhang leader: I didn't know the canyon guide took reservations.
Gan Jin tribesman: Ha, of course you didn't! That's the ignorance I'd expect from a messy Zhang. So unorganized and ill-prepared for a journey. (The Zhang tribe members yell out in protest behind them. Katara and Aang look at each other worriedly, but turn around to see a large pile of rocks being levitated up and thrown away. The canyon guide stands behind where the rocks used to be.)
Canyon Guide: Sorry about the wait, youngsters. Who's ready to cross this here canyon?
Katara: Uh, one of them, I think.
Gan Jin tribesman: (Rushing forward.) I was here first, my party's on their way.
Canyon guide: I can't guide people who aren't here.
Zhang leader: (Mockingly.) Guess you guys will have to make the trip tomorrow.
The scouts eyes twitch in anger. Suddenly another tribe enter the canyon entrance area. The scout points to them in triumph.
Gan Jin tribesman: Wait, here they come! (A group of clean, finely dressed people are shown coming toward them.)
Zhang leader: (To the canyon guide.) You're not seriously gonna cave into these spoiled Gan Jins? I mean we're refugees too! And we've got sick people that need shelter.
Canyon guide: I... uh... well...
Gan Jin tribesman: We've got old people who are weary from traveling.
Zhang leader: Sick people get priority over old people.
Gan Jin leader: Maybe you Zhangs wouldn't have so many sick people if you weren't such slobs.
Zhang leader: If you Gan Jins weren't so clean, you wouldn't live to be so old.
Katara: (Over the two arguing tribes.) Well Aang, ready to put your peace-making skills to the test?
Aang: I don't know, a fight over chores is one thing, but these people have been feuding for a hundred years.
Faith: (Puts a Hand on Aang's shoulder.) Let me try. (Faces Katara and nods.)
Katara: (Stepping forward.) Everybody listen up! This is one of the Last AirBenders, and if you give her a chance, I'm sure she can come up with a compromise that will make everyone happy.
Faith: You could share the earthbender and travel together?
Gan Jin leader: Absolutely not! We'd rather be taken by the Fire Nation than travel with those stinking thieves!
Zhang leader: We wouldn't travel with those pompous fools anyway! (The two tribes begin to shout at each other again.)
Faith gets overwhelmed and turns to Aang. Aang stands beside her.
Aang: (Growing impatient; Shouting.) All right here's the deal, you're all going down together and Appa here will fly your sick and elderly across! Does that seem fair? (Both leaders nod in agreement, and the scene fades to show the sick and elderly boarding Appa.)
Aang: (To Appa.) Sorry, Appa, you'll have to do this on your own.
Faith: (Stands beside Appa.) We will See you soon buddy.
Sokka: Aang, this feuding tribe stuff is serious business. Are you sure it's a good idea getting involved in this?
Aang: (Grinning broadly.) To tell you the truth, I'm not sure. But when have I ever been?
Katara: He's the Avatar, Sokka, making peace between people is his job.
Sokka: (Dismayed.) His job's gonna make us cross this whole canyon on foot isn't it?
Canyon guide: Okay, now here comes the bad news. No food allowed in the canyon, it attracts (He makes motions with his hands to illustrate the skittery monsters that might lurk in the canyon.) dangerous predators. (Both tribes yell out in protest.)
Gan Jin Leader: No food?! This is ridiculous.
Canyon guide: Oh, you babies can go a day without food? Would you rather be hungry, or dead? (He raises an earth pillar to tower over the rest. He continues, cupping his hands to his mouth to amplify his voice.) Now, we're heading down in ten minutes. All food better be in your gut or in the garbage!
The Zhang tribe quickly whips out and shoves food into their mouths, which stands in stark contrast to the Gan Jin tribe, who eat slowly with chopsticks.
Aang: (To the people on Appa.) Appa's going to take good care of you 'till we get there.
Faith: (Smiles.) Take care of Melody Appa.
Aang: (To Appa.) See you on the other side, buddy! Yip yip! (Appa roars and takes off. The tour guide earthbends to form a bridge in a gap in the path.)
Aang: Nice bending!
Canyon guide: The job's much more than bending, kid. Folks want information. (Turns to the travelers.) Many of you are probably wondering how canyons are formed. Experts tell us this canyon was most likely carved into the ground by earth spirits who were angry at local farmers for not offering them a proper sacrifice.
Katara and Sokka look up in fear as an avalanche of rocks comes falling toward them, and the canyon guide earthbends it away from them.
Canyon guide: Hehehe, guess the spirits are still angry! Hope you all brought sacrifices.
They have just entered the canyon floor. The guide stands in front of the two tribes and the kids. Faith, Katara, Aang, and Sokka look at each other in exasperation and the scene fades to show them standing at the bottom of the canyon next to a huge boulder.
Canyon guide: Okay, everyone stand clear of the wall. (He throws the boulder and destroys the bridge he had made earlier.)
Aang: Why'd you do that?
Canyon guide: These people are fleeing the Fire Nation, aren't they? Gotta make sure we can't be followed. We'll be safe now. (Yells out, as he is picked up by a huge animal. Aang blows away the dust to reveal a canyon crawler.)
Sokka: We gotta help him! (He throws his boomerang at the crawler, which drops the canyon guide and comes after Sokka instead.) Okay, now we gotta help me! (Katara comes to his aid and does a water whip on the crawler, but she is quickly thrown aside. Aang jumps down and sends a multiple blasts of air at the crawler and drives it away.)
Aang: (To the canyon guide.) What was that?
Canyon guide: (On the ground.) Canyon crawler. (Groans in pain.) And there's sure to be more!
Katara: Your arms, they're broken!
Canyon guide: Without my arms, I got no bending. In other words-
Faith: We're trapped in this canyon.
The camera fades to show them grouped together.
Sokka: I thought the whole point of ditching our food was so we wouldn't have to deal with things like canyon crawlers.
Gan Jin leader: It's the Zhangs! They took food down here even after the canyon guide told them not to.
Zhang leader: What? If there's anyone who can't go without food for a day, it's you pampered Gan Jins!
Gan Jin leader: I hope you're happy. We're stuck in this canyon with no way out.
Zhang leader: Why don't you thank yourself, food hider?
Aang: Look, sticking together is the only way to-
Zhang leader: I'm not walking another step with the likes of them!
Gan Jin leader: Now there's something we can agree on.
Aang: (To the canyon guide.) Any ideas?
Canyon guide: No bending... we need to get out of this canyon... I won't die down here! I won't become part of the food chain!
Gan Jin leader: See! We're going to become part of the food chain because of you! (Points to Zhangs.)
Zhang leader: Sure, unjustly blame the Zhangs like you always do!
Gan Jin leader: Gladly.
Aang: (Angrily.) Enough! I thought I could help you guys get along, but I guess that's not gonna happen. (Jumps onto a tall rock.) We should split up, Gan Jins on this side and Zhangs on that side. We'll travel in two separate lines. (The two leaders nod at each other and start walking. Aang jumps down to Sokka, Faith and Katara.) Sokka, you go with the Zhangs and Katara, you go with the Gan Jins. See if you can find out why they hate each other so much. And Faith I want you to stay with me so we can discuss a plan of how to get out of here.
The siblings split up, Katara following the Gan Jins and Sokka following the Zhangs.
Aang sits with Faith and Momo far from both camps.
Aang: Sure would be nice to be sitting around one of those campfires, telling stories and laughing. Its okay Momo, we'll be out of here soon enough, and then we can eat our weight in leechi nuts! (Momo jumps up and snatches a bug out of the air, he eats part of it before offering the rest to Aang.) Nah, I'll wait for the leechi nuts.
Faith: (Sighs while looking over at the Gan Jins.) I'm so hungry. I wish we could eat or even sit somewhere nice and warm.
Canyon guide: (Slowly approaching Aang and Faith.) Lonely isn't it, being impartial?
Aang: I wish I could help these people get along, but it just seems impossible. Anyhow, I guess our biggest problem is getting out of here.
Canyon guide: I'm not so sure the two problems are unrelated.
Faith: (Yawns.) The two tribes hate each other. This is going to be one heck of a journey.
Faith Yawns once again before gently lying down. The canyon Guide follows her lead and dozes of into a deep slumber. Faith shivers a few times as Aang just pulls her close and hugs her while she drifts off into her deep sleep.
Aang looks away sadly and the scene fades to show the two tribes traveling again in daylight.
Canyon guide: All clear, we're almost to the other side.
Aang: (Jumps down to Katara and Sokka.) Katara, Sokka, will these people cooperate long enough to get out of the canyon?
Katara: I don't think so, Aang, the Zhangs really wronged the Gan Jins. They ambushed Jin Wei and stole the sacred orb.
Aang: What are you talking about?
Faith: (Smiling.) Interesting Story Katara. But what are you going on about?
Sokka: Yeah Katara, what are you talking about? Wei Jin didn't steal the orb, he was returning it to their village gate and was wrongfully punished by the Gan Jin.
Katara: Not punished enough if you ask me.
Aang: (Over Sokka's frustrated growls.) Okay, okay I get it! Now I need your help, I need everyone together at the base of the canyon wall. (He takes off on his glider and the scene fades to show him landing between the two tribes.) Please everyone, as soon as we get out of here we can eat and then go our separate ways, but I need you all to put your heads together and figure out a way up this cliff.
Gan Jin leader: Maybe the Zhang can climb the wall with their long disgusting fingernails.
Zhang leader: Oh sorry, I forgot that to the Gan Jin unclipped fingernails is a crime punishable by twenty years in jail!
Gan Jin leader: Why, you dirty thief!
Zhang leader: You pompous fool!
The tribes began to argue loudly again, accompanied by Katara and Sokka.
Aang: (Shouting.) Guys, focus! How many times do I have to say it? Harsh words won't solve problems, action will!
Zhang leader: Perhaps the Avatar is right.
Gan Jin leader: Yes, perhaps he is. (Aang grins happily at this.)
Zhang leader: Harsh words will never solve our problems.
Gan Jin leader: Action will!
They both draw their swords and Aang yells in surprise, as they clash their swords.
Gan Jin leader: To the death! And let this be the end of this rivalry!
Aang: You know, I take it back. Harsh words aren't so bad!
The two leaders ignore him as they begin to fight. They are evenly matched, and continue until Aang blows them apart with a strong gust of air. The two tribes go flying backward, revealing a large amount of hidden food.
Aang: (Shocked.) Is that ... food? Everyone smuggled food down here? Unbelievable! You guys put our lives in danger because you couldn't go without a snack for a day? You're all awful! (He looks in wonder at a custard tart, and his stomach growls.) So hungry. Is that an egg custard in that tart? (Faith Gently tugs his top and He turns to see dozens of canyon crawlers approaching, and they all try to flee.)
Katara: Oh no, that's a lot of canyon crawlers.
Sokka: (Taking out his boomerang.) We barely survived one!
Canyon guide: They're coming back for me! They've had a taste and they're coming back for me!
Katara: Sokka, wait. (Stops him as he runs forward.) I don't care about this stupid feud, I just want us to get out of here alive.
Sokka: Me too. I only took their side 'cause they fed me.
Aang fights off the canyon crawlers, and soon has them all in a pile, Faith kicks one of the crawlers causing it to chase after her. She screams and runs to Aang who sends an air blast. The crawlers pick themselves up and target the refugees. Though Faith, Aang, Katara, Sokka, and the tribe leaders fight hard to hold them off, they are vastly out numbered. Aang looks around to see the crawlers eating the food out of the bags.
Aang: (Shouting.) Everybody, watch me and do what I do! (He distracts a crawler with a piece of food, leaps on its back, and throws a bag over its snout. The two tribes mimic him, working together.) Now follow me! We're riding out of this hole! (Aang ties a huge bag of food onto a stick and uses it to guide the crawlers up the canyon wall.) Everyone, get off!
Zhang leader: (Jumping off a crawler.) We made it!
As soon as all the people have made it up the cliff, Aang throws the bag back down, and the crawlers follow.
Zhang leader: I never thought a Gan Jin could get his hands dirty like that.
Gan Jin leader: And I never knew you Zhangs were so reliable in a pinch.
Zhang leader: Perhaps we're not so different after all. (They both smile at each other and Aang sighs in relief.)
Gan Jin leader: Too bad we can't rewrite history. You thieves stole our sacred orb from Jin Wei! (Draws his sword.)
Zhang leader: (Draws her sword.) You tyrants unjustly imprisoned Wei Jin for twenty long years!
Aang: (Sighs in frustration.) Wait a second... Jin Wei? Wei Jin? I know those guys!
Gan Jin leader: Yes, yes, we're all aware of the story.
Aang: No, I mean I really knew them. I might not look it, but I'm a hundred and twelve years old, Faith knows them to she's surprisingly one hundred and eleven. I was there one hundred years ago on the day you're talking about. (Scene fades to show the two men facing each other. Voice-over.) There seems to be a lot of confusion about what happened. First of all, Jin Wei and Wei Jin weren't enemies. They were brothers, twins in fact, and they were eight; and most importantly, they were just playing a game!
Faith: (The two young men continue to appear on the screen; Voice- Over.) The sacred orb from the legend, that was the ball! And the eastern and western gates were the goal posts.
Aang: (Carries on.) Jin Wei had the ball and was running toward the goal when he fell and fumbled it. Wei Jin didn't steal the ball, he picked it up and started running it toward the other goal, but he stepped out of bounds, so the official put him in the penalty box.
Faith: Not for twenty long years but for two short minutes.
Aang: There was no stealing and no putting anyone in imprison, it was just a game.
Zhang leader: You're saying the sacred orb was actually a sacred ball?
Aang: Nope, just a regular ball.
Gan Jin man: What about our tribe's redemption ritual?
Faith: That's what the game was called, redemption. As soon as you got the ball from one end to the other, everyone would yell "redemption"! (The tribe leaders look at each other skeptically.)
Aang: Don't get me wrong, Wei Jin was kind of a slob and Jin Wei was a little stuffy, that much is true. But they respected each other's differences enough to share the same playing field.
Zhang leader: (To the Gan Jin leader.) I suppose it's time we forget the past.
Gan Jin leader: (Bowing.) And look to the future.
The Zhang leader bows back and Aang looks at them happily. The scene fades to show them standing with Appa. Faith runs over to Appa.
Faith: (Shouting.) Melody! (Melody flies from behind Appa and flies straight into Faith's arms licking her face.) Whose a good girl? You are! (Laughs as she hugs Melody.) Well done for taking care of them for me.
Aang: Good to see you, boy. Did you miss me? (Appa licks Aang as the Gan Jin leader approaches.)
Gan Jin leader: I cannot thank you enough, Avatar.
Aang: (Covered in Appa's slobber.) Well, you know I try.
Gan Jin leader: (Recoils in disgust.) Ugh!
Fades to show the two tribes standing together.
Zhang leader: Let us travel to the Earth Kingdom capital as one tribe. (Both tribes cheer as they start walking.)
Canyon guide: (Running forward.) I'm going too! I'm sick of this place!
Sokka: That's some luck you two knew Jin Wei and Wei Jin.
Aang: You could call it luck. Or you could call it lying.
Sokka: (Flabbergasted.) What?
Aang: We made the whole thing up.
Katara: (Shocked.) You did not! (In devilish admiration.) That is so wrong.
Faith: (Watches the new Tribe walk away.) Well it worked. (Pushes past Aang.) Now I need to eat something! (Runs towards the food.)
Aang: Wait up Faith! Now where is that custard tart? I'm starving!
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