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8[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/iroh_cries_for_his_son.png]]
9[[caption-width-right:350:“Leaves from the vine, falling so slow...”]]
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14[[AC:The Avatar State]]
15
16* When Azula attempts to lure Iroh and Zuko onto her ship by saying that Ozai regretted banishing Zuko and wanted him back. The utter happiness in Zuko's demeanor at being accepted and loved again is shattered when Azula's guard reveals Zuko was meant to be a prisoner the whole time. The look on his face is heartbreaking.
17* This bit of dialogue between Iroh and Zuko the night before, which is yet another reminder that Zuko has thrown away three years of his life chasing after his father's love, and never once realized that what he wanted was right in front of him the whole time:
18-->'''Zuko:''' Did you listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family really is to him. He cares about me.\
19'''Iroh:''' ''I'' care about you!
20* Katara trying to explain to Aang why she's afraid of him continuing to try to induce the state,
21-->'''Katara:''' I'm not saying that the Avatar State doesn't have incredible - and helpful - power. But you have to understand; for the people that love you? Seeing you in that much rage and pain is really scary.\
22'''Aang:''' I'm really glad you told me this. But I still need to do this.\
23'''Katara:''' I don't understand...\
24'''Aang:''' No, you don't. Every day, more and more people die. I'm already a hundred years late. Defeating the Fire Lord is the only way to stop the war. I have to try.\
25'''Katara:''' I can't watch you do this to yourself. I'm not coming tomorrow.
26** And then Katara ''does'' come tomorrow, to stop General Fong from trying to hurt Aang. Which results in her getting buried alive by the general as a last-ditch effort to trigger Aang's Avatar State. Just watching her crying out in pain and fear as she slowly gets buried, and Aang bargaining desperately for her life tugs at the heartstrings.
27--->'''Aang:''' ''[desperately]'' Stop this! You have to let her go!\
28'''Fong:''' You could save her if you were in the Avatar State!\
29'''Aang:''' ''[starting to cry]'' I'm trying... I'm trying!\
30'''Katara:''' ''[terrified]'' Aang, I'm sinking!\
31'''Fong:''' I don't see glowing!\
32''[Katara is buried neck deep now]''\
33'''Katara:''' ''[desperate]'' ''Please!''\
34'''Aang:''' ''[frantic]'' You don't need to do this!\
35'''Fong:''' [[KickTheDog Apparently, I do.]]
36
37[[AC:The Cave of Two Lovers]]
38* Zuko staying with Song's family was something different for him-throughout the first season, he was so focused on trying to capture the Avatar to return to his beloved Fire Nation that he turned a blind eye to the suffering his people have caused. This is the first time he's even met someone who has been oppressed by the Fire Nation, and it won't be his last...
39* Zuko stealing Song's ostrich horse even after she showed him hospitality and revealed to him how the Fire Nation hurt her. She lets out a tear when she sees him leave.
40* Just before leaving, Song mentions the Avatar's return in a joyful way, but it struck a nerve in Zuko. To him the Avatar is just a walking reminder of his own failure--his lost honor, the one person he spent years trying to capture and fail.
41
42[[AC:Return to Omashu]]
43* Azula cruelly forces Ty Lee to give up her life in the circus and join her in fighting the war with her.
44** Her chipper attitude afterwards also establishes her status as a StepfordSmiler. She adapts so seamlessly and naturally to Azula's threats that it begs the question, [[FridgeHorror how much did Azula's presence influence her personality?]]
45* Tom-Tom's parents might be Fire Nation nationalist, but they are [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes devastated when their son is missing]].
46
47[[AC:The Swamp]]
48* Katara sees what she thinks is her mother thanks to the Swamp's mysterious powers of illusion. Despite knowing her mother is gone, she clings to this HopeSpot, believing that her mother didn't ''really'' die... only to find a tree stump. Having this faint sliver of hope dashed, Katara breaks down crying.
49* Sokka seeing Yue's "spirit". Even though he believes that the swamp isn't magical, he was wondering if he really was seeing Yue. To make it worse, "Yue" claims that he didn't protect her. Before he had a chance to counter her statement, she disappeared and you can tell that Sokka is very crestfallen. Even if Yue was a hallucination, it's pretty clear that Sokka [[ILetGwenStacyDie blames himself for letting Yue die]]. He also off-handily mentions that's it's not surprising he saw Yue ''because he thinks about her all the time.'' Ow.
50
51[[AC:Avatar Day]]
52* Zuko parts ways with Iroh, after Iroh shows disappointment in him for stealing.
53
54[[AC:The Blind Bandit]]
55* Toph's confrontation with her parents at the end of her debut episode. As the creators themselves put it, despite Toph's arrogance and toughness, it's kind of sad how she just grew up so ''lonely''. And it's made more tearjerking if you realize that this confrontation is the only time in the entire episode that either of Toph's parents have even spoken to her directly. The glance that Aang, Sokka, and Katara trade with each other just sells it.
56-->'''Aang:''' I'm sorry, Toph.
57-->'''Toph:''' I'm sorry too. Goodbye, Aang.
58
59[[AC:Zuko Alone]]
60* [[DownerEnding Pretty much all of it.]] Especially the {{Flashback}}, when you see a young Zuko, worried and panicked, asking where his mother is--to which his father doesn't make any on-screen reply. Just ''the look on Zuko's heartbroken face''. And going back to the present day and seeing Zuko being [[UngratefulBastard driven out of town thanklessly after taking care of the thug problem,]] even by the kid he ''saved'', is a true tearjerker.
61* Ursa being forced to abandon Zuko, without Zuko even knowing why.
62-->'''Ursa:''' Zuko, please, my love, listen to me. Everything I've done, I've done to protect you. Remember this, Zuko. No matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you are.
63* The scene with the death of Zuko's cousin, Lu Ten. When Zuko has a flashback to when his mother got the news and we see the look on Ursa's face... that quiet sorrow for a soldier lost in battle is heart breaking. Then Ursa has to tell her kids that their cousin has been killed. Poor Zuko looks shocked, and even ''[[TheSociopath Azula]]'' looks sad and stands with respect.
64* It's a small thing, but when he uses his firebending to defeat the earthbending thug, the music playing is reminiscent of the Fire Nation army's theme, often played to indicate danger. Even if he tries to hide it, Zuko can't get away from his darker side.
65* The worst part is when you realize why the villagers turn on him so fast; while they seem initially ungrateful, you then remember that these thugs are only here because the men of the village were off to the war, the war Zuko's own family started. And the family Zuko just saved? Likely lost their firstborn son to the war, and their father to follow. Zuko might have saved their lives this day, but it doesn't come anywhere close to making up for the lost lives and pain the war has caused them. It doesn't help that Zuko picked ''this'' moment to reaffirm his birthright as the fire nation prince; to the villagers this stranger is downright ''proud'' of the genocidal heritage he has (even though we know, from the flashbacks, that he has different reasons for reaffirming it).
66
67[[AC:The Chase]]
68* Zuko yelling at the Gaang to leave after Iroh is shot in the chest by Azula. It should be narm, it should be over the top, but it isn't.
69** Just the ''look'' on Zuko's face when Iroh first gets hit. The only family member he has left who still loves and supports him, and for all he knew at that moment Iroh could have died, this right after Zuko had insisted on separating and traveling alone. Had Iroh died, he would never have even gotten to say goodbye.
70
71[[AC:Bitter Work]]
72* There's a short flashback with a younger Iroh playing with his son, only for a quick MoodWhiplash to Iroh mourning before his son's grave, in the rain. "My beloved Lu Ten. I will see you again."
73* Zuko's RageAgainstTheHeavens at the end, flying right by what would be {{narm}} and into something genuinely heartbreaking. Even the heavens deny him.
74-->'''Zuko:''' You've always thrown everything you could at me! Well I can take it! And now I can give it back! Go On! Strike me! You've never held back before!
75
76[[AC:The Library]]
77* "[[SadisticChoice I'm sorry, Appa]]". Toph is forced to let Appa be kidnapped in order to hold up the Library. She was genuinely trying to save Appa while keeping the library up, but not even Toph, the self-proclaimed Greatest Earthbender in the World, could do both, and that about crushes her. It doesn't help that she's inexperienced as a sandbender and can barely see.
78
79[[AC:The Desert]]
80* Following the DramaBomb of the previous episode, Aang absolutely rips into Toph for not saving Appa, even accusing her of ''wanting'' Appa to be kidnapped, completely ignoring the fact that, without her efforts, he, Katara, and Sokka would be trapped in the library. Toph - the one character who, canonically, doesn't take crap from ANYONE - just stands there looking hurt.
81** This leads to some FridgeBrilliance: Toph revealed in the finale that she's been working on her sandbending. Why? Probably because she never wants to be helpless in the sand and let anything happen to her friends again.
82* The last scene, when, after all the suffering he felt after Appa is kidnapped, Aang finds the kidnapper, freaks out and goes into the Avatar State. He seems ready to unleash hell on earth, until Katara calms him down by pulling him out of the air and putting him in a [[CooldownHug tight embrace]]. They both start crying.
83** The [[http://dvdscreenshots.avatarspiritmedia.net/atla/211/727.jpg look on Katara's face]], behind Aang. She was so resigned, that she just instinctively reached out and hugged him. She kept the Gaang together through the desert, wild creatures, Aang's depression, Appa's disappearance, Toph's blindness in sand, Sokka's hallucinations, and they made it out alive, thanks to Katara. And now... this. She's so tired.
84** Looking closely at the hug between Katara and Aang shows Aang crying while still being in the avatar state. The pain of losing Appa is so great it moves not only Aang but the 10,000-year-old spirit inside him.
85** What makes this especially powerful is that this is the first time in the series Aang has any control over the Avatar State. "TELL ME WHERE APPA IS!" is him keeping control, and the only time he speaks in the Avatar State with his own voice before totally losing it.
86** After Katara starts to calm Aang down, the scene cuts to Sokka and Toph. They go from bracing themselves against Aang's attack to giving looks of sad defeat, knowing that there's nothing they can do to help reduce their friend's pain.
87* Aang’s desperation has so many undertones and layers it’s practically an onion. As shown in ''Appa’s Lost Days'', Aang and Appa have been together since they were both young, probably before Aang was ten years old. We are told that air bison are lifelong companions, potentially meaning that once a bison bonds with an air bender they have a deep and spiritual connection. Appa is more than a pet or friend to Aang, he’s someone that is meant to be with him for many years to come. Add to the fact that Appa is one of the few remaining connections Aang has to his culture, people, and personal past, losing Appa has to be akin to losing a piece of himself. The entire time they are separated, both Appa and Aang seem lost and alone and are just endlessly wanting to reunite that the only reason they take breaks is because they have to.
88
89[[AC: The Serpent's Pass]]
90* Sokka's protectiveness over Suki. It's PlayedForLaughs until Sokka admits he's still haunted by [[{{MyGreatestFailure}} failing to save]] [[{{FirstLove}} Yue]] and is terrified of losing Suki as well. Then when he and Suki almost kiss, he pulls away, seemingly scared of getting close to someone again or still feeling too guilty over Yue.
91** This scene is taking place with the full moon in the background. Sokka may not have wanted to kiss Suki in front of Yue.
92* Aang spending most of the episode in HeroicSafeMode not only acting indifferent to cover up his depression over Appa's disappearance, but being emotionally distant towards his friends, even Katara, is quite disheartening, considering how happy-go-lucky and welcoming to others he normally is. It's still very easy to see how seriously affected by the ordeal he is, and seeing him go through such a state can even be enough to make you feel the same pain he's going through.
93** Similarly, Katara continuously tries in vain to snap him out of it, and is unsuccessful every time. It peaks when she gives him the pep talk about being hopeful and the importance of caring, and even that gets turned down. Knowing Aang is in a state that not even Katara, the one who easily has the strongest and closest bond with him apart from Appa, can get him out of is definitely saying a lot, and it gets a lot more emotionally intense when you hear just how scared and worried for him Mae Whitman is making Katara sound.
94
95[[AC:The Tales of Ba Sing Se]]
96* Iroh's story, period. There's a reason why it's the most infamous sad scene in the franchise. It starts off as lighthearted (he plays with some children and gets a mugger to turn his life around), then hits you with MoodWhiplash when he makes a memorial to his deceased son's birthday, and ''bursts into tears while singing'', ending with [[InMemoriam a dedication to Iroh's voice actor]] Creator/{{Mako}}, who died shortly before the episode aired.
97** It's even ''more'' tearjerking because Iroh, the one who's usually able to stay cheerful no matter what, starts singing "Leaves from the Vine," the same song that he used to comfort the boy earlier in the episode, and starts ''sobbing'' about halfway through with his voice hitching and body shaking as he goes through the lyrics, and you realize that the song was for Iroh's son, who died in the very war Iroh's trying to stop (and in the same place, no less). And then the dedication to Mako... It's overwhelming.
98** The three people he helps over the course of the day are basically the three stages of his son's life: A young child confused and sad, a group of rambunctious but harmless pre-teens/teenagers getting into trouble, and a young adult who is desperate and in need of someone to believe in him. All the help Iroh gave to them could either have been what he did for his son... or didn't... or couldn't...
99** In his encounter with the earthbending kids, he tells them that "It is usually best to admit mistakes when they occur, and to seek to restore honor" when they break a window, but then tells them to just run when a big intimidating man threatens to beat them up, their honor not worth the danger they just incurred. One suspects that this was a harsh lesson Iroh had to learn himself, as if he had retreated from Ba Sing Se before the danger of the war outweighed the honor he wanted to bring to his family and his nation, his own son might not have perished.
100** The writing on the top of Lu-ten's picture can be roughly translated as: "To General Iroh, see you after we win the war. Your loyal son Lu-ten."
101** Iroh's been through a lot by this point: his ship was destroyed twice at the end of season one, and then he ran away from Azula at the beginning of season 2 with literally nothing but the clothes on his back. He's carried that picture with him through all of that, and he finally felt comfortable enough in Ba Sing Se to stick it in a frame. And then, it's probably destroyed or lost when he's imprisoned by Azula and Zuko at the end of Season 2.
102** It's even more saddening since most of the other Tales of Ba Sing Se shorts (bar Momo's, mentioned below) are rather funny and/or cute, and then they hit us with Iroh's...
103*** Iroh's role until that point was sort of a comedic relief and a {{Foil}} to Zuko to lighten the atmosphere a little bit. That's the reason why his part hits twice as bad. And the story also starts in a pretty lighthearted mood, with the viewer [[MoodWhiplash unaware of what is going to happen soon]].
104* "Leaves from the Vine". Listen to that song once and you will be bawling at the end.
105* Also "The Tale of Momo", his absolute forlorn expression as he tries to search for Appa is just heartbreaking. Momo, the cute little comic relief pet, is shown having dreams, flashbacks, and compassion for other creatures, all within a few heartbreaking minutes. Possibly the most heart-breaking moment of all is when poor Momo curls up to try to sleep in a hole in the ground...And the camera pans out to show that said hole is in fact ''Appa's pawprint''.
106
107[[AC:Appa's Lost Days]]
108* The whole episode, where we see what poor Appa had to go through. Especially the dream sequence, when we get to see how Aang and Appa met. "I guess we'll always be together. Always..." Or the fact that when he sees Suki again, he is so [[BreakTheCutie scared of her]] that he won't let her approach him for some time.
109* Appa is being captured by the Sandbenders, and over his shoulder he sees a giant mushroom cloud of sand. He knows that that's Aang flipping his shit trying to find him, but Appa can't get to him.
110* The part where Appa, tired, hungry, still searching for Aang, battered and worn out from all the traveling, lands outside the little cave...and then a raging porcupine-boar comes running out of nowhere and attacks him. The look on Appa's face and the way he's snarling and roaring as he fights this enemy makes it quite clear that he is enraged and exhausted beyond belief. So much so that he spends several days just lying in the den, as though he had finally lost his will to find Aang and was just waiting for the next bad thing to come.
111* The whole scene of Appa in the circus. It actually won a Genesis Award for its disturbingly accurate depiction of animal abuse in the circus. And while he's there, Appa sees a boy who reminds him of Aang who helps inspire him to escape. It's either cute, extra heartbreaking, or both.
112
113[[AC:Lake Laogai]]
114* Jet’s flashback to watching his village being ransacked and burned to the ground as a young child. Seeing it makes it a little easier to sympathize with his radical anti-Fire Nation views.
115* Jet's death was sad enough, but the way Toph says "he's lying" pushes it straight into tearjerker territory.
116--> '''Jet''': Don't worry, Katara. I'll be fine.
117--> '''Toph''': (whispers) He's lying.
118** Just before the death itself, the line that snaps him out of it: "You're a FREEDOM fighter, Jet!" It's not the trauma of losing his village that pulls out of his brainwashing, but the memories of his friends and what they all believed in together.
119** Smeller-Bee and Longshot staying behind to watch over Jet before he dies can also bring out a few tears. This is also the only time we hear Longshot speak when he tells the Gaang to go and adds that "He's our leader." You know something is truly dire when Longshot speaks. Once the Gaang does leave, Smeller-Bee cries over Jet's body as Longshot prepares an arrow in case the Dai Li return. Even until the very end, they were loyal to Jet.
120* When Aang was finally reunited with Appa. All the pain that Aang had shown throughout Appa's absence made it so much more meaningful.
121* Iroh’s speech to Zuko. While it’s all kinds of awesome for Iroh rightfully calling out his nephew for not thinking his plans through, it’s clear that Iroh fears losing Zuko. He recalls when Zuko captured Aang in the North Pole and was aimlessly wandering in the frozen tundra with no plan of escape. Iroh makes it clear that Zuko would have died if Aang’s friends didn’t find them; just two episodes ago Iroh was mourning his late son’s birthday. He knows the pain of losing a child and he doesn’t want to go through that again.
122
123[[AC:The Guru]]
124* When Aang opens his air chakra, and is then seen facing all the Air Nomads, who then vanish into smoke and ascend up, while Aang reaches out to them, all the while Guru Pathik is narrating.
125* When Aang reaches the seventh, final, chakra: he is asked to give up his "worldly attachments" - that is, his love for Katara. He ''refuses'' to give up his love, even for the control he's been looking for the entire season. In the next episode, he goes back on his decision, temporarily leaving Katara to fight off Azula and Zuko alone in order to enter the Avatar State, which fails and results in Azula striking him with lightning.
126* The last we see of the Guru, Aang takes off without even a goodbye. Not only does the Guru clearly look dismayed, but that is the last we ever see him.
127
128[[AC:The Crossroads of Destiny]]
129* Zuko betraying Iroh.
130** Even after betraying his uncle, Zuko still manages to retain a level of sympathy, [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone seeming almost in complete shock at what he has just done]].
131* Aang being backshot with lightning by Azula, falling to the ground below and Katara [[PietaPlagiarism cradling his dead body in her arms]]. Remains the single most shocking and sadistically cruel moment in the entire series.
132** There is also the [[https://www.cap-that.com/avatar/220/images/avatar-the-last-airbender2x20_1446.jpg look of desolation on Katara's face]] as she watches Aang fall.
133* The last few scenes are heartbreaking: [[https://www.cap-that.com/avatar/220/images/avatar-the-last-airbender2x20_1464.jpg Katara holding Aang's limp body]]. [[https://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/callmebakes/Avatar/765.jpg The look of utter hopelessness and sense of failure on Sokka, Toph, and the Earth King's faces]].
134--> '''The Earth King:''' The Earth Kingdom... has fallen.
135** When Katara uses the spirit water on Aang, and nothing happens for a couple of seconds. Then he wakes up for just a moment, and she gasps and holds him close.

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