The Rise of The Phoenix King - Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) Season 3 Script

EXT - THE FIRE NATION CAPITAL - DUSK

Servants and soldiers KNEEL on the ground as FIRE LORD OZAI is carried down the Royal Plaza in a palanquin. A second, transporting AZULA follows. 

Ozai is calm, composed and imperial. Azula sits impatiently, arms folded. She sticks her head out the cloth-covered window, addressing the BEARERS. 

AZULA: 

Come on slowpokes! Faster!

The bearers break into a run, speeding to catch up with Ozai. The Fire Lord has already reached the steps, where an airship is ready and waiting for him. 

A bearer holds the curtain open for Ozai, who descends regally from the box. He ascends the stairs, ignoring his personal guard, brandishing banners, as they stand expectantly at the foot. 

Reaching the top, he is joined by an out of breath Azula. She rushes into a kneeling bow. He looks unimpressed by her flustered state. 

AZULA: (cont'd)

Sorry I'm late, father. Good palanquin bearers are so hard to come by these days. So, is everything ready for our departure?

OZAI:

 There has been a change of plans, Azula.

Azula's head snaps up at the remark. 

AZULA:

What?

Ozai does not turn around continuing.

OZAI:

I've decided to lead the fleet of airships to Ba Sing Se alone. You will remain here in the Fire Nation.

AZULA:

But I thought we were going to do this together.

OZAI:

My decision is final.

Azula rises to her feet, indignant. 

AZULA:

You ... you can't treat me like this! You can't treat me like Zuko!

OZAI:

Azula, silence yourself.

Ozai's eyes narrow. As he stares out to sea. 

AZULA:

But it was my idea to burn everything to the ground! I deserve to be by your side!

Ozai snaps. 

OZAI:

Azula! 

Turning to give her a sharp glance over his shoulder. She drops her head immediately, falling silent. 

OZAI:

Listen to me. I need you here to watch over the homeland. It's a very important job that I can only entrust to you.

AZULA:

Really?

Azula looks up, eyes widening in wonder.  Ozai faces her full-on. The first time this whole conversation. 

OZAI:

And for your loyalty, I've decided to declare you the new Fire Lord.

AZULA:

Fire Lord Azula? It does seem appropriate ... but what about you?

Azula's excitement falters slightly, her tone unsure. 

AZULA: (Cont'd)

 ... but what about you?

Ozai smirks. 

OZAI:

Fire Lord Ozai is no more. Just as the world will be reborn in fire, I shall be reborn as the supreme ruler of the world. 

He spreads his arms wide to allow two ATTENDANTS to place an elaborate cloak over his head; the material is deep red, and the shoulders are embossed with golden phoenixes. A third attendant places a helmet on his head, completing the look of the mythical bird. 

Ozai's arms rise high in the air for all to see. 

OZAI: (cont'd)

 From this moment on, I will be known as ...  the Phoenix King.

At his command, new banners are unfurled from the mast of the airship. More banners emerge from the crowds, this time featuring the new emblem, adding to the mass of red and black of the Fire Nation's coat of arms. 

Two soldiers clench their fits, using their fire bending to ignite the engine. Fire jets erupt from the mast. 

Every onlooker from Harbour City bows as one, looking up reverently at the imposing sight. 

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) Season 3 #19 - Sozin's Comet, Part 1: The Phoenix King