Five weeks after meeting King Bumi, Team Avatar was setting up camp when arrives with dinner, which turns out to merely be some nuts. While discussing their dinner options, Aang, Katara, and Sokka are startled by loud noises in the distance, while Ozai just shares an exasperated look with his kids as he thought, 'Here we go again'. On the bright side, Ozai had finally completed his airbending training.

Curious, Aang and Katara set out to investigate with a wary Sokka following close behind, while Ozai, Zuko and Azula stay behind, who discover a young practicing his . Katara introduces herself, but the young bender races off fearfully. Aang suggested following him in hopes of finding a town where they can have a proper dinner, and they end up in a small settlement swarming with Fire Nation soldiers.

They found the same young man and followed him into a store. They saw him speaking with his mother and inquire as to why he fled earlier. The young man, Haru, and his mother explain, "Ever since the Fire Nation took control of the town, anyone discovered to be an earthbender is arrested and sent to a prison rig, far offshore,". Haru's mother subsequently tells them, "Haru's father was one of those sent to the rig,".

Later that day, Haru and Katara take a walk together, both sharing their own stories and seemingly forming a strong bond. They come across an old man that has been trapped by a cave-in; Haru reluctantly used his earthbending to save the old man. During the night while the gang is sleeping, Fire Nation soldiers, along with the old man whom Haru had saved, come and arrest Haru for earthbending.

The next morning, Katara encountered Haru's mother, and told her, "Haru was arrested and sent to the prison rig because the old man turned him into the Fire Nation,". After hearing this, Ozai decides to take action and find a way onto the rig in order to free him. Ozai concludes that the only way is to trick the Fire Nation into thinking he is an earthbender, which he will be after mastering water.

After some strategy, he is able to pose as an earthbender, with the help of Aang, Sokka, Katara, and some ventilation pipes, while Fire Nation soldiers are watching. He was then promptly apprehended and sent to the rig. There, he and several other captives meet the prison , a self-important and cruel taskmaster.

He states, "You earthbenders are helpless since the entire rig is made of metal and thus have nothing to control!".

After finding Haru and his father, Tyro, Ozai inquired, "How do you plan to escape?". Tyro says, "Escape is not an option and the only way to survive is to do what we are told and hope the goes in our favor,". That night, Ozai meets up with Aang, Katara, and Sokka to devise a way for the prisoners to regain their confidence and rebel. Sokka noticed the smokestacks in the distance and states, "They are burning coal, and because coal is earth used as fuel, there is earth on the rig for the prisoners to bend,". Aang calls Sokka

Drawing from their previous idea of feigned earthbending, Sokka has Aang close all the vents in the vicinity where the coal is being burned, save for one that leads to the outer vent where Ozai, Katara and Sokka are. The warden discovers them and threatens, "You lot can choose to surrender or die. So what's it going to be?" At that moment, however, coal bursts from the vent and lands before Haru and the others. Aang states, "This is your chance to stand up and fight!", however, no one seems to have the will to revolt. The warden claims, "Foolish boy! Their spirits were broken long before your arrival," and walks away in triumph.

As he departs, a chunk of coal strikes him on the back of the head. He turns to see that the one responsible is Haru, who bears a look of rage on his face. The warden attacks Haru, but his assault is blocked by Tyro and two other benders. The prisoners began to regain their hope and join in battling the Fire Nation soldiers, eventually emerging victorious after a dramatic struggle. With the help of Team Avatar, they defeat the soldiers, and Tyro prepares to throw them and the warden overboard. When the warden pleads that he cannot swim, Tyro responds that he heard cowards float and promptly drops them all in the water. Team Avatar and the earthbenders then sail away safely in stolen Fire Nation ships.