Scene:
NORIO a political lobbyist and nonbender is speaking publicly in a gymnasium type area. People are gathered around listening and cheering.
NORIO: Nobody asked for an avatar. Cheers The Equalist movement may have been radical about a lot of things, we've established that benders and nonbenders can live in harmony. But the avatar is the biggest threat to mankind! No one person should hold that much power! A power so horrible entire armies can be destroyed in a matter of minutes! No other person can bend all four elements cheers of hate, go in and out of the spirit world cheer louder, and even give and take away other peoples powers! benders and nonbenders agree Norio lets them cheer louder and louder, waits until they calmed down a little before continuing And who is to say that the avatar will always do what is right? What is right and what is wrong? A timeless question that no one person can possibly answer for the whole world. I think we are all smart enough to answer that question for ourselves. WE DON'T NEED THE AVATAR TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS!
Cheering loudly for a while
NORIO: I ask all people, benders, nonbenders, and not just you citizens of the Earth Kingdom, but people of all the nations to support me and my campaign to bring the power back to people. It's time we take our fates into our own hands instead of the hands of one individual, even if he is the avatar.
CROWD: We're with you! Down with the avatar! Lead us! We don't need the avatar!
Norio leaves the stage and leaves the rest of the proceedings to his second in command. He steps outside and is met guards of the Earth Kingdom
NORIO: What's this? We are here peacefully, we're not breaking any laws.
GUARD: The Earth King wishes to see you immediately.
Scene:
NORIO is left in a gorgeous room in the palace. he is out of place there. He examines a painting with his hand, and it leaves a dirt stain. He looks around and hears someone coming. He hastily places a vase to cover it and walks away and takes a seat, waiting.
Enter Earth King Xiang. He enters with two guards on either side of him. Despite his ostenatious dress and his official state he seems wary of Norio. Norio on the other hand could not be more excited he is being taken seriously by the Earth King. He raises and bows respectfully.
NORIO: Your Majesty
XIANG: looks studies him briefly, hesitantly Please sit down.
NORIO: sits Thank you
XIANG: You have started quite the movement
NORIO: smiles I've barely begun, your majesty
XIANG: An anti-avatar movement
NORIO: choosing his words carefullyAnti-avatar is such a hostile name
XIANG: What would you call it?
NORIO: The Destiny Restoration Project.
XIANG: Of course. And how do you plan to achieve that?
NORIO: realizing this is dangerous I'm not sure, but rest assured I mean the current Avatar Dahnu no harm.
XIANG: I see
NORIO: If I may ask, what do you think of Destiny Restoration Project?
XIANG: It doesn't matter what I think. You represent a growing concern of my citizens. I was wondering if you would be willing to serve as one of my official advisors on matters concerning the Destiny Restoration Project and the avatar.
NORIO: swells with pride and bows I would be honored, your majesty.
. . .
Scene:
At the dinner table. Patti places a tray on the table and they all help themselves.
PATTI: Master Zokan said you cheated again.
Harrow slams a fist on the table
DAHNU: indignantly I did not! He turns to Harrow I didn't! He's just mad because I used firebending he didn't teach me.
HARROW: surprised You taught yourself?
DAHNU: Yeah.
Harrow smiles smugly. The "do it yourself" mentality is definitely his style. He is proud.
HARROW: Regardless, you have disrespected your mentor. You should apologize tomorrow.
Dahnu doesn't respond. He caught the smile on his father's lips. Dahnu is pleased with himself now. Patti gives Dahnu a "you know better" look with a smile before changing the topic.
PATTI: Harrow?
HARROW: Hmm…
PATTI: We need some supplies for tomorrow.
HARROW: I can't go to town and leave the farm during harvest.
PATTI: And I'm very busy here too. Which is why I thought we could send the kids.
All three perk up excitedly. They rarely get to go to town and never without their parents.
HARROW: Dahnu has training and Rowin is too young to go by himself.
PATTI: I have already spoken with Master Zokan. He said that as long as Dahnu passes his firebending test in the morning he can have the rest of the day off.
Dahnu brightens and smiles more
PATTI: The children will be perfectly safe with the White Lotus centuries looking after them.
Dahnu drops his shoulders, mortified.
DAHNU: Don't send the centuries with us. I can do it, I promise. I'll wear a disguise, no one will even know I'm there-
HARROW: Dahnu! The avatar will always have enemies, enemies you are not prepared to face. Until you are ready, you WILL accept the protection of the White Lotus.
DAHNU: Yes, sir.
HARROW: nods curtly Good, I'll give you the supply list after supper.
Three kids are excited again.
. . .
Scene:
Two benders positioned on opposite sides of Dahnu. Dahnu moves using earthbending to size up opponents without actually earthbending. One attacks, Dahnu dodges, causing the other opponent to deflect the fireblast. Dahnu goes for the feet with fire to break their root. The fight is epic and difficult, but eventually Dahnu takes both down. He celebrates and head over to his siblings when a fireblast just misses his left side. He turns to see Master Zokan in trainging gear walking toward him in stance.
DAHNU: surprised Master Zokan? What are you-
ZOKAN strikes again. They fight and it is longer and more desperate than the previous fight. Zokan may be older but he has experience on his side. Dahnu is scared at first but turns focused borderline angry. Finally, Dahnu strikes causing Zokan to slide backward in a kneeling position. Then Dahnu is on top of Zokan holding back from a final strike. Zokan smiles and stands
ZOKAN: Good power and focus. But the mark of a true master is restraint. bows to Dahnu holding his fist Congratulations, Master Dahnu.
Dahnu smiles largely and without another word runs off with Rowin and Kimi. Master Zokan shakes head and chuckles lightly. Turning away he rubs his back groaning.
. . .
Scene:
In town, vendors everywhere. People shopping moving about and talking and looking at newspapers. Hear garbled speech about war. "Not again" "Do you think they're serious?" "We have nothing to worry about" "My best friend's cousin's uncle says they're getting ready to strike." Amid all this is Dahnu in a cloak hiding his face. Rowin nearby holding Kimi's hand. Four White Lotus centuries around all of them. People make way for them, lots stop to stare others are too absorbed in their business to notice. Dahnu is dealing with a merchant and just finished. Packages are slung over his shoulder.
DAHNU: All right looks at list, conscious of the guards We just need one more thing, down this way.
Two centuries lead, two behind. Dahnu drags his feet causing lots of earth to dust up. They approach an alley on the left. The dust cloud is very thick now, the centuries are coughing. Dahnu takes Rowin's hand, who has got Kimi's and they duck into the alley. They're running down the alley.
KIMI: Dahnu, we're not supposed to-
DAHNU: Shush up! Come on!
KIMI: in protest Dahnu!
DAHNU: Keep up!
Dahnu leads them to another market place, but its all luxury goods. Toys, candy, fancy china and furniture etc. Dahnu smiles, Rowin and Kimi are stunned by it all. Dahnu brings the two in front of him and leans down to them presenting coins in each of his hands.
DAHNU: I saved some money so we can get something for ourselves.
KIMI: Really?!
Rowin smiles too and takes the money starting to bolt. Dahnu grabs him by the collar and roughly brings him back in.
DAHNU: sternly Don't go too far.
ROWIN: pushing Dahnu's hand off and turns to leave shouting over his shoulder I won't!
Dahnu puts Kimi on his shoulders.
DAHNU: So what do you think, Kimi? What do you want to look at first?
KIMI: OOoooo she points to the left The dolls! Can we look at the dolls first? clapping
They move over to the doll vender. Kimi is looking at all of them, picks one and Dahnu pays for it. The vendor reaches up and gives it to Kimi. Dahnu sets down the packages and brings Kimi down as well.
DAHNU: What are you going to name her?
KIMI: stroking doll's face I don't know.
People are running down the street in a hurry toward something. One is heard saying, "Fight!" Dahnu watches in suspicion and fear.
DAHNU: Where's Rowin?
KIMI: still absorbed by doll I don't know.
DAHNU: watches more people run down the street Kimi, stay here, and look after the packages. Starts to leave
KIMI: scared now Dahnu-
DAHNU: turns back and points at the ground Stay here.
Dahnu runs with the crowd and pushes his way through it to where the action is. Sure enough two boys about his age are fighting Rowin.
BOY 1: throws Rowin to the ground Farmer Peasant!
Dahnu jumps in the fight throwing punches. When one of the boys earthbends in defense Dahnu attacks him with earthbending. Dahnu has the nonbender pinned to the ground with earth, the bender he is holding. Dahnu finds some metal and encases his fist in it. He is about to punch when two White Lotus centuries grab Dahnu and pull him back. The other two help the attackers up. Rowin approaches Dahnu.
ROWIN: They said there was no way I could afford candy so they took it.
The bending assailant is standing the candy still poking out of his pocket.
DAHNU: That candy belongs to my brother.
The bending boy smirks and throws it in a puddle. Dahnu tries to go after him again but is held and pushed back by the centuries. Dahnu thrashes.
DAHNU: All right! frees his arms and grabs Rowin by the shoulders Let's go, Rowin.
His hood his off and the centuries fall in line, people recognize him and make way in awe. Dahnu goes to Kimi who hasn't moved but is absolutely terrified.
DAHNU: It's ok, Kimi slings packages over shoulder Come on.
They keep walking down the street till Dahnu finds another candy vendor. He lays down the rest of his money.
DAHNU: Candy, please.
The vendor complies giving a whole fist full to Dahnu, who offers it to Rowin.
ROWIN: sheepishly But that's yours.
DAHNU: We'll split it ok? takes half candy into his other hand and gives it to Rowin who accepts sullenly.
ROWIN: Thanks, Dahnu.
DAHNU: ruffles Rowin's hair Let's go home.
They walk away, children first, centuries next and the stunned crowd staring after them. Rowin is stuffing his face as usual.
DAHNU: You really like candy, don't you?
They all laugh.
