Bato of the Water Tribe

Writer: Ian Wilcox

Director: Giancarlo Volpe

Guest Stars: Richard McGonagle (Bato), André Sogliuzzo (Hakoda), Jennifer Hale (June), Amy Hill (Mother Superior), Tsai Chin (Aunt Wu), Jodi Carlisle (The Herbalist), Scott Menville (Messenger)

Synopsis
The group meets up with an old friend from their Water Tribe village named Bato who had been injured and left behind. They head back to his current home in an Abbey of nuns who make perfumes and cures. They spend so much time reminiscing, that they neglect Aang. They suddenly start talking about how Katara and Sokka might be able to visit their father Hakoda, and that a message is arriving soon about their Hakoda's whereabouts. Aang runs off feeling hurt that Katara and Sokka might leave him to go find Hakoda instead of helping him.

While Aang is contemplating their possible departure, a messenger arrives with the news from Hakoda and instead of giving it to them, Aang hides it. Meanwhile, Zuko is busy relaxing with his uncle when a bounty hunter named June storms on his ship, finding a stowaway on board. Zuko hire her to find the Avatar using the scent of Katara's necklace on her Shirshu in exchange for the damages to his ship.

The next day, Bato takes Sokka on a coming-of-age ritual called "ice dodging." Instead of ice, though, they use jagged rocks. With the help from Katara and Aang, they pass the test and all receive a ceremonial mark for their wisdom, bravery and trust. But when Aang receives the mark of trust he can't contain himself any longer and gives the message to Katara and Sokka. A furious Sokka and a disappointed Katara decide to go off to find Hakoda and leave Aang to go to the North Pole on his own. Soon down their path, Bato, Katara and Sokka hear a wolf cry. Katara suggests that the wolf is hurt, but Bato tells them that the wolf has been separated from its pack. He then explains how he knows this by telling about when he was wounded in battle and left in the Abbey to heal by his fellow Water Warriors, feeling the loneliest he has ever felt. This story reminds Sokka of when Hakoda left to fight the war, and he told Sokka that he couldn't come along and fight with him. Hakoda tells Sokka, "Being a man is knowing where you're needed the most. And for you right now, that's here, protecting your sister." Sokka and Katara realize their mistake and turn around to apologize and travel with Aang.

Zuko, June, and Iroh appear on the Shirshu. Even though the Avatar is not with Sokka and Katara, the beast flings out its tongue and paralyzes them and finds a new scent, the message that Aang had. They head back to the Abbey as Aang was just leaving. Eager to save his friends, Aang battles Zuko among the rooftops, while Appa takes on June and the Shirshu. Aang manages to get Katara's necklace back but is soon trapped by the Shirshu and Zuko. The Shirshu begins to try to paralyze Aang and Zuko fires blasts of fire at Aang while Aang dodges everything.

Meanwhile Sokka and Katara are revived by some perfume given to them by the nuns and suddenly Sokka has an idea. The nuns pour out all their perfumes and Katara starts waterbending them all around. Since the Shirshu can only "see" with its nose, it gets confused and starts lashing at random people. When Zuko and June are paralyzed by the beast, Iroh feigns paralysis to get close to June and holds her in his arms as he lies on the ground. Aang and the others use the opportunity to escape.

Later the kids are flying on Appa. Aang asks what the plan is now. They tell him they're going to get him to the North Pole because he's their family. Aang gives Katara back her necklace. Katara goes over and kisses Aang on the cheek. Aang blushes and twiddles with his thumbs. They all fly off into the sunset.

Translations

 * The map to the rendezvous point has the characters 海月讚佑 written on the top, which roughly translates as "The Blessing and Protection of the Sea and Moon".

Series continuity

 * Katara's necklace, which she lost in "Imprisoned," is recovered by Aang during his battle with Zuko.
 * The Herbalist and her pet cat Miyuki return in the episode. She can be seen gathering herbs near the ruins Sokka and Katara took sanctuary within in "The Blue Spirit."
 * June, Zuko and Iroh make a stop at Makapu village and briefly converse with Aunt Wu. June comments that "the girl must have spent a lot of time here," referring to Katara's repeated visits to have her fortune told.
 * When Zuko tries to get the Nyla the Shirshu back on the scent, June sarcastically says "He likes you" when Zuko nearly gets stuck by its tongue. However, June may not have been kidding since in the series finale Nyla does the same to her while being pet.

Trivia

 * In the scene where June is arm wrestling in what seems to be a club, the man she is arm restling bares a striking resemblance to Ryu from Street Fighter.