Heartwarming / Avatar: The Last Airbender - Book Two

A sky bison is a companion for life.

The Avatar State

• Aang has a nightmare about losing control while he's in the Avatar State and wakes up. He tells Sokka he has doubts about forcing himself into the Avatar State again and Sokka kindly tells him it's fine, and goes on to reassure Aang that no-one can make him do anything.
• Even though Zuko insults Iroh and accuses him of being nothing but a jealous old man, Iroh still comes with Zuko when they join Azula, just to protect him.
  • The level of happiness Zuko shows when Iroh catches up to him. Despite their previous argument, Zuko loves his uncle and is overjoyed at the idea of them going home together.
• Despite Aang attacking them while in the Avatar State, and Sokka having just knocked out their general, the soldiers at General Fong's base still offer to escort them to Omashu.

The Cave of Two Lovers

• When Katara and Aang are separated from Sokka and the nomads, Sokka immediately starts trying to dig his way to his sister and Aang. Although, given how the falling rubble almost crushed Katara, it could be that he was worried about his sister despite Aang pushing her out of the way.
• The end, when Aang sheepishly tells Sokka that he and Katara "let love lead the way." Even better when it was confirmed by Word of God what happened in the cave was in fact a First Kiss.
• Despite his later actions, Zuko is genuinely upset when he sees Song's burn scars. This moment seems to kick off the start of him realizing that the war has hurt innocent people.

Return to Omashu

• The end, where Aang brings Tom-Tom back to his parents with no ill-feelings is pretty touching, but the music really drives it home.
• Tom-Tom being reunited with his parents. The mother's cry of "Tom-Tom!!"◊ as they turn around and see him, and Aang's smile◊ as he watches from nearby just makes you feel... Fuzzy. Like socks.
• It's implied that the reason why Bumi surrendered in the first place was to protect his people from being hurt or killed in a battle that they were unlikely to win in the first place. Bumi may be an eccentric old king who has a somewhat dark sense of humor, but he cares about his city and its people.

Avatar Day

• The scenes where the prisoners give Aang advice on his relationship with Katara. Especially since, initially, the other prisoners seemed ready to beat the snot out of poor Aang (until the Gilligan Cut), and one of them actually starts crying in sympathy for Aang. WAFF for everyone!
• Zuko despite using his blue Spirit identity to mug and steal for food and money takes the time to buy his uncle a nice golden tea set.
  • In turn, Iroh assures Zuko that tea still tastes good whether it's from a golden tea set, porcelain pots, or a simple tin cup. It's almost as though he's metaphorically telling Zuko he still loves his nephew, whether he's a rich prince or a penniless thief.
• After Sokka recovers his Boomerang the Rough Riders stole:
  Sokka: Boomerang! You do always come back!
  • Then just four episodes later...
  Sokka: Now come back, boomerang.

Zuko Alone

• Quite a minor example, but as Zuko is about to take food from a couple travelling on the same road as him, he immediately stops after seeing the woman is pregnant. It really hits hard when you realize that the woman, who we see later, is pregnant with Hope. Sparing her life is what brings hope for Zuko's path to redemption and allows this baby to be born healthy, thus giving Aang hope to find Appa.
• Zuko going to rescue a boy that he barely even knows from some Earth Kingdom soldiers. Any doubt that there was good in him should have gone away right there. Then it turns into a Tear Jerker as he's run out of town for being a Firebender and the son of Ozai. It's also a hint to Zuko of just how much the rest of the world hates the Fire Nation.
• In between, there's flashbacks of Zuko's childhood showing that not only did he once have a loving mother to balance out his horrible father, but he was an all-around sweet boy. Although his past wasn't all rainbows and sunshine, it's nice to see Zuko wasn't always the angry banished prince he is today.
  • Young Zuko immediately rushing to get the flaming apple off young Mai's head. There's no prior indication that he knows her that well, and even goes so far as to call all girls annoying in front of them, but he's just too noble of a person to ignore somebody in potential distress.
  • At one point, young Azula ridicules how Iroh surrendered the seige of Ba Sing Se after he lost his son, calling him a loser. But instead of agreeing with her, young Zuko calls her out on her Lack of Empathy. He's empathetic that Iroh gave up the seige, not out of weakness or cowardice, but because he's lost his son forever. Compared to the present-day Zuko, he's more understanding towards how his uncle works.
• Even though we see that Zuko and Azula always had a hostile relationship, we see them both laughing together at Iroh's (rather dark) joke about burning Ba Sing Se to the ground, and later we see the two happily running and playing together. It's nice to see that the two at least sometimes enjoyed each others company, at least on some level.
• While Fire Lord Azulon is shown to have been an evil and cold-hearted man, he was outraged by Ozai's lack of sympathy towards Iroh losing his son in battle. Keep in mind that Iroh ended a siege that would've effectively won the war against the Earth Kingdom, and yet Azulon cared far more about Iroh's grief and suffering without showing any signs of anger or resentment.
  • Azulon has another small moment. When Zuko tries to demonstrate his firebending skills without being asked, Azulon looks politely curious rather than annoyed or irritated. Even when Zuko's attempt failed to impress him, Azulon seemed far more frustrated towards Ozai for wasting his time rather than Zuko.

The Chase

• While Toph and Iroh are talking over tea, Iroh talks about Zuko. When Toph leaves, she says this...
  Toph: Oh, and about your nephew, maybe you should tell him that you need him too.
  • ...made all the more touching because of Zuko and Iroh's Father/Son gap filling relationship.
• Despite Zuko and Iroh chasing Team Avatar all across the world in Book 1, when Iroh Is injured fighting on their side, Katara immediately offers to heal him.

Bitter Work

• We're treated to a flashback of a younger Iroh playing happily with his son. It's clear just from the few seconds we see how much of a loving, caring bond they had and how much better of a father Iroh was than Ozai ever could be.
• Zuko's clumsy, unsuccessful yet incredibly sweet efforts to take care of Iroh, and Iroh drinking the (unintentionally foul) tea that Zuko gave him, even after finding how bad it tastes (though he dumps his refill when Zuko isn't looking).
• When talking about Azula, Zuko predicts that Iroh is going to say that because she's his sister, he shouldn't fight back. What does Iroh say? "No, she's crazy, and she needs to go down". Zuko may not show it, but one can tell he appreciates it. He's probably felt like the only person (besides his mother) who wouldn't enable Azula's cruelty. This must be the first time he feels someone's on his side for a change.
  • Iroh teaching Zuko to use techniques from other nations to channel his fire and lightning bending. While its no surprise Iroh would support his nephew, it demonstrates that he's willing to trust Zuko with more of his personal secrets and that Zuko is ready to learn from the world instead of only the Fire Nation.
• Aang is taking a break from earthbending and is filling in that time by doing some more waterbending with Katara. He's in very low spirits after several struggles and expresses doubt over whether he'll be able to master the element of earth, but Katara, being the gentle and understanding Team Mom that she is, encourages him to keep going with some in-depth thinking.
  Katara: You know this block you're having is only temporary, right?
  Aang: I don't want to talk about it.
  Katara: You do realize that's the problem, don't you? If you face this issue instead of avoiding it —
  Aang: I know, I know, I know, I know! I get it, alright? I need to face it head-on, like a rock. But I just can't do it! I don't know why I can't, but I can't.
  Katara: Aang, if fire and water are opposites, then what's the opposite of air?
  Aang: I guess it's earth.
  Katara: That's why it's so hard for you to get this. You're working with your natural opposite. But you'll figure it out. I know you will. (picks up a reed) Think fast! (throws it at Aang, who cuts it in half with waterbending) Excellent. You have the reflexes of a waterbending master.
  Aang: Thanks, Katara. (bows) Sifu Katara. (Katara bows back)
  • That last piece of dialogue there is excellent icing on the cake, as Katara was desperately wanting Aang to address her as that for a good chunk of the episode.

The Desert

• Katara hugging Aang is in equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking.
• Sokka grabbing Toph to guide her while they run away.
• The fact that neither Sokka, Toph, nor Katara lash out at each other once throughout this episode. It would be perfectly understandable if they did, given the hopelessness of their situation, but the three of them are actually much more tolerant and cooperative with each other than usual. Especially when compared to "The Chase", in this episode they don't have a single argument. It just goes to show that when the chips are down, Team Avatar sticks together.

The Serpent's Pass

• Toph secures passes for the Gaang so they can safely get to Ba Sing Se and find Appa. When they learn a married couple had their passes stolen, however, Aang heroically asks the customs lady if they can use the Gaang's tickets instead. When she says no, the Gaang commits to escorting them through the Serpent's Pass, despite knowing that it's dangerous.
• Sokka reassures Toph as she needs to cross Katara's ice to the safety of the nearby bank, telling her to follow the sound of his voice. While she shouts that his voice is so loud, it seems to be helping her take one step at a time. Then when the sea serpent makes her fall into the water, Sokka shouts that he's coming. It's just that Suki got there first, and Toph kissed her rescuer on the cheek mistaking her for Sokka.
  • Despite barely knowing Toph, Suki doesn't hesitate swimming out into serpent infested waters to rescue her. She also takes Toph's kiss in stride when she mistook her for Sokka and kindly corrects her.
• The scene when Aang gazes upon the face of the minutes-old baby and allows himself to feel for the first time in days. As he says to Katara afterward:
  Aang: I thought I was trying to be strong, but really I was just running away from my feelings. Seeing this family together, so full of happiness and love, it reminded me of how I feel about Appa and how I feel about you.
  • And what really sells it is how Katara sheds Tears of Joy after he says that to her and is still doing so while they share a loving hug.
• Suki telling Sokka that she fell for a great guy who was funny and smart and brave. He needs her to spell out that she's talking about him.
• After an episode of Sokka worrying about Suki getting hurt, Suki admits that she came with them to protect Sokka. Awww. Followed by Sokka kissing Suki, making up for pulling away earlier in the episode and indicating he's recovering from his guilt over losing Yue.

The Drill

• Iroh admiring baby Hope.

City of Walls and Secrets

• The two guards in the teashop don't hesitate to move to defend Iroh and Zuko from Jet. The only reason they don't intervene immediately is because Zuko beat them to it and borrowed their swords for the task.
  • Not just that, but they explicitly call him the finest tea maker in Ba Sing Se.
  Iroh: (Very much flattered) Oh, ho, ho. That's very sweet.

The Tales of Ba Sing Se

• Zuko's date with Jin. The scene where he lit all the lanterns for her with Firebending — risking discovery, death, so much — just to make her happy was very touching. Also, Zuko admitting that at the end, he did have a great time. He finally had one moment where he could experience real joy as a normal teenager.
• That entire episode, Iroh mourning his son, Momo mourning Appa. Iroh's story in particular, especially since Mako, the man providing his voice, had died around the time of the original airing.
• The end of the Toph/Katara segment. After being made fun of by some girls for her appearance (and dealing with them), Toph tries to say she doesn't care about how she looks, but can't keep from crying as she does so. Katara responds by sincerely telling her that she's pretty. Toph lights up immediately and responds with gratitude, a blind joke, and an affectionate punch.
  • Her gratitude becomes more Fridge Brilliance when you realize that Toph can tell when a person is lying by using her seismic sense to "see" their heartbeat. The fact that Katara made a big speech about Toph's looks and meant every single word of it, even when she didn't have to, clearly means a lot to her.
• Pretty much all of Iroh's tale - except the end.
• During Momo's tale, he's been captured along with a gang of cats that were chasing him. Momo frees himself from the cage and starts to run off, but then stops and looks back at the cats...and then lets them free. The next scene shows them all on a rooftop, with one of the cats rubbing Momo affectionately in thanks. Awwww.
  • And there's also a bit of heartwarming Fridge Brilliance. One of the cats takes the tuft of Appa's fur that Momo had been hanging onto, and runs with it. At first glance, one may think that the cats were tricking Momo, but the cat stops, turns, and places the tuft of fur right on Appa's footprint where he was captured. Momo just lies down with the tuft as the cats watch nearby.

Appa's Lost Days

• Remember that stolen sandbender ship that Team Avatar found in the desert? As it turns out, Appa sneezed that into the sand. If it hadn't been for that sand ship, Team Avatar wouldn't have found help. Even while he was kidnapped, Appa unintentionally saved our heroes' lives.
• The boy that pushes the straw so Appa can eat it, and then smiling when Appa escapes the circus. And according to Appa's point of view, the kid reminds him heavily of Aang, especially when he's so happy.
• Suki finds Appa, and her and her fellow Kyoshi Warriors selflessly make the effort of healing and feeding him, being very considerate with his pain as they restore him back to health. And then they take a stand so Appa can escape Azula.
  • Appa attempting to go back and save Suki, just like she helped him, is equally sweet.
• Appa's memories of a happy time in the old Eastern Air Temple, as well as the moment he and Aang bonded.
• Guru Pathik helping Appa with his inner pain and fear. Not to mention his helping Appa locate Aang.

Lake Laogai

• Iroh getting his own tea shop, for this man who was once a general, but now is a Cool Old Guy:
  "My own tea shop? This is a dream come true!"
• Appa's triumphant return when he is finally reunited with the Gaang, and everyone hugs him.
  Aang: I missed you, buddy.
• Zuko choosing to free Appa. Even more so when one considers the events of the previous episode: out of all the people who were kind to Appa or aided in his quest to find Aang during his lost days, Zuko can add himself to the list.

The Earth King

• The Earth King warms up to Aang because Bosco likes him and recognizes him from the party.
• Although it's to convince him to come with them, Aang letting the Earth King ride Appa is a sweet gesture.
• Sokka finds out that Hakoda has made it to the general.
• During Zuko's final dream sequence (where he wakes up with Aang's tattoos), when Zuko gets up, Iroh is seen asleep but still by his nephew's bedside. This guy spent all night by Zuko's side, making sure his metamorphosis didn't get any worse. That is fatherly dedication right there.

The Guru

• The rich patron from "Lake Laogai" wasn't kidding, and Iroh now has his own tea shop, the "Jasmine Dragon", in the Upper Ring.
  • Iroh states what makes him happiest is getting to share the happy day he opens the Jasmine Dragon with Zuko. It’s very much Truth in Television that as people get older, they truly enjoy spending time with their relatives, and this would especially be true for Iroh after losing Lu-Ten. He is very happy to enjoy this day with the nephew who is like a son to him.
• When Aang opens the Air Chakra, which deals with love, and is blocked by grief. Aang's vision lays out all his grief in front of him; he sees an endless crowd of Air Nomads, with Gyatso at the front. As Pathik narrates the meaning of the chakra, they vanish, one by one, into a huge cloud.
  Pathik: Love is a form of energy and it swirls all around us.
  [The Air Nomads vanish into the cloud, which begins to swirl and gradually take new shape]
  Pathik: The Air Nomads' love for you has not left this world.
  [The cloud slowly takes the shape of a face]
  Pathik: It is still inside of your heart. And is reborn in the form... of new love.
  [The cloud finally forms into the shape of Katara's face, accompanied by flashbacks to happy moments Aang has had with Katara]
  Pathik: Let the pain flow away.
  [Cut back to the real world; Aang has tears flowing down his face, but also a gentle, happy smile.]
• All of the Water Tribe soldiers greeting Sokka cheerily when they see him. Followed by him greeting his father.
• What makes the following exchange so heartwarming is how Sokka's natural Deadpan Snarker attitude just falls and you see him genuinely joyful for the first time in the series.
  Hakoda: Sokka.
  Sokka: Hi, Dad.
  (Cue embrace and many tears from the audience◊)
  • Later on, when Hakoda and Sokka's bonding time is interrupted by a scout reporting Fire Nation ships in the distance:
  Hakoda: Bato, get these mines loaded up. The rest of you men, prepare for battle!
  Sokka: Uh, what should I do, Dad?
  Hakoda: Weren't you listening? I said the rest of you men, get ready for battle!
  • As the men ready themselves for battle, Sokka tells Hakoda he's ready to prove what a great warrior he is. Hakoda assures him he doesn't have to prove anything. He's already proud of Sokka and knows he's a great warrior, reminding him that it was why he trusted him to look after the tribe while the others were gone.
• Iroh smiling happily after Zuko recovers from his Angst Coma.

The Crossroads of Destiny

• A distraught Katara imprisoned in the Crystal Catacombs lashes out at Zuko and then starts crying. When she mentions that she lost her mother, Zuko expresses sympathy, telling her that it's something they have in common. After calming down, Katara then apologises for yelling at him.
  Katara: It's just that for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face.
  Zuko: My face? I see. (touches his scar.)
  Katara: No, no, that's-that's not what I mean.
  Zuko: It's okay. I used to think this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark.
  Katara: Maybe you could be free of it.
  Zuko: What?
  Katara: I have healing abilities.
  Zuko: It's a scar, it can't be healed.
  Katara: This is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole. It has special properties, so I've been saving it for something important. I don't know if it would work but...
• Toph remembers Iroh from their conversation in "The Chase" and calls him an old friend.
  • Aang also trusts Toph's judgement enough to ask Iroh for advice himself concerning his conflict between his love for Katara and his mastering of the Avatar State.
    Iroh: Perfection and power are overrated. I think you were very wise to choose happiness and love.
• When Azula seems to have killed Aang, Iroh makes his choice. He pulls a Heroic Sacrifice and You Shall Not Pass!, telling the Gaang to run for it while he firebends and distracts the Dai Li. Katara even seems to want him to come but is forced to flee. It's only when the Gaang escapes that Iroh surrenders.
• Aang revives when Katara uses the spirit water on him. They hug, and he smiles as he falls asleep.
• After their successful takeover of Ba Sing Se, Azula sincerely reassures a guilt-ridden Zuko that his honor is restored (even going as far as stating that it is true regardless of whether their father chooses to acknowledge it or not). She also tries to reassure him with her belief that Iroh was the one who betrayed him, not the other way around.
  • The fact that Azula (who "always lies") kept her word to Zuko at all. Note that by allowing him to return, she's essentially giving him her place as heir to the throne. For someone as ruthless and sinister as Azula, this is a major Pet the Dog moment from her.

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