Chapter 2

## The Prince Arrives

**Chapter 2** is titled - "The Prince Arrives".

## Summary

Returning from the site of the shipwreck, Aang and Katara are greeted by many angry faces in the village, their accidental triggering of a flare on the ship having warned the Fire Nation of their presence. Because of the mishap, the safety of the village has been compromised. A bitter argument ensues, in which Sokka decides to banish Aang from the Southern Water Tribe for his perceived betrayal, an action Kanna agrees with. Katara, outraged by the decision, initially resolves to leave with Aang, who had offered to take her to the Northern Water Tribe to find a master waterbender who could teach her. However, Sokka asks her if she would actually choose Aang over her own family. As Aang states that he does not want to come between Katara and her family, she rethinks her decision and sadly decides to stay. A downcast Aang and Appa depart from the village, setting course for the Southern Air Temple, where Aang previously lived. Katara, frustrated that they have banished Aang, snaps angrily at her grandmother, leaving Kanna looking saddened. Sokka hurriedly readies the young children for the imminent combat with the Fire Nation. Meanwhile, Aang and Appa rest on a wind-carved ice formation and Aang, acting as if Appa can talk to him, tells Appa somewhat dejectedly that he liked Katara. Aang suddenly spots Zuko's ship approaching the village and, realizing the severity of their predicament, he quickly decides to help defend his new friends, leaving a dozing Appa behind.

Sokka and Zuko prepare individually for their nearing encounter: Zuko dons a traditional Fire Nation soldier's uniform and helmet, while Sokka readies his weapons and applies warpaint to his face. In time, Zuko's ship arrives at the Water Tribe village; its mere approach collapses Sokka's makeshift walls and towers. Sokka continues to stand bravely, only balking in order to avoid the ramp that descends from the ship. Zuko quickly descends, accompanied by a few soldiers. Sokka charges at him, but the more experienced Zuko requires only his bare hands to counter Sokka's primitive weaponry and he is almost dismissive of his presence at first. Zuko demands the location of the Avatar from the villagers, expecting to find an old man somewhere in the village. He grabs Kanna threateningly and Sokka attacks Zuko again. Zuko defeats him with much ease as all Sokka manages is a lucky hit, which occurs when his boomerang strikes the back of Zuko's helmet. Enraged at being caught off guard, the prince prepares to deal a vicious strike with his firebending.

Before he can attack, however, Aang arrives, riding on the back of an otter penguin, and knocks Zuko off his feet. Dismounting the animal, Aang uses airbending and his staff to send a spray of snow at Zuko and his men; he stands and faces the prince, asking him if he is "looking for [him]". Zuko realizes and is shocked to discover that the Avatar is merely a twelve-year-old boy rather than the ancient master he was expecting. As he voices this, Aang's true identity is revealed to the entire village, as he had never told them he was the Avatar. Zuko quickly regains his focus and wastes no time in launching a series of fire blasts at Aang. Aang is able to defend himself with airbending, but after a few seconds, realizing that Zuko's attacks would inevitably strike the people he has befriended, he asks Zuko if his surrender will ensure the safety of the villagers. Relaxing his stance, Zuko nods, as Katara begs Aang not to go with the firebenders, his soldiers take Aang aboard as a prisoner and they depart for the Fire Nation. Later in the day, as the rest of the tribe tries to clean up from the attack, Katara tries to convince Sokka that they need to rescue Aang. Sokka tries to interrupt Katara briefly before yelling at her, asking her, as he motions toward a small canoe he has prepared if she is coming with him. Realizing that Sokka is on her side, she runs to him and gives him a hug. Kanna walks up behind them, catching them off-guard and sternly asks them what they plan on doing. When they have no answer, Kanna holds out two sleeping bags to them, saying in a much more placid voice that they would need those. She tells them that they have a long journey ahead of them and thanks Katara for restoring her hope, adding that Sokka needs to be nice to his sister. Kanna states that since her grandchildren were the ones who found Aang, their destinies are now tied to his, which draws looks of uncertainty from the siblings. Turning to look at the canoe, Katara remarks that if they want to catch the ship, the canoe is not going to work. As she finishes, Appa lumbers over a nearby hill, growling loudly. Katara runs excitedly toward Appa, though Sokka, realizing they will have to use the bison, mutters quietly, "You just love taking me out of my comfort zone, don't you?"