AVATAR: EMPIRE OF ICE
BOOK 1: FAMILY
CHAPTER 7: SNOWBALL
We fade in on the forest floor. The camera pans along, following the eelhound's feet as it sniffs along the ground. Then it looks confused and starts shaking its head.
The camera pans up to Kayat, who looks over at Hakoi.
Hakoi
No. Don't say it. Please don't say it.
Kayat
I'm sorry, sir. It looks like she lost the trail…
Hakoi growls, then he bends some muddy water out of the ground and turns it into an ice dagger, which he throws into a nearby tree.
Hakoi
What happened?!
Kayat
The forest is full of different scents, sir. It's full of life, and… Dirt, and… (Winces) Disgusting things which produce various, disgusting odors. (He wipes some sap off his shirt with a cloth)
Hakoi
(Smirks) This place must be killing you, huh?
Kayat
(Looks around) I can't say I'm very fond of it. (Beat) Honestly, sir? I say we take our lumps and move on.
Hakoi looks around the forest, then he frowns.
Hakoi
No. I'm so close, I can feel it. (He whips up the reins, and his eelhound starts walking again) We keep going!
Kayat follows him.
We cut to a little later. The two of them are still walking through the forest. Hakoi drinks some water from his canteen, then he narrows his eyes.
Hakoi
Remember that javelin toss back on Kiyuga? If that bird hadn't flown in my face, it would have been my name on that wall. Not Hakoda's. (Spits) Or what about that time I caught whooping cough right before the soldier's exams?
Kayat looks down.
Hakoi
And now, now, on the cusp of everything I ever wanted, (Pointedly shoots Kayat a look) Your eelhound decides to lose the trail. (Beat. Then he sighs) I swear, Kayat. Sometimes I think the universe has it out for me.
Kayat
(Pauses) I know you're upset, sir, but I think it's best to imagine life as a series of random, uncontrollable events.
Hakoi blinks, and then looks at Kayat with annoyance. The two continue to ride through the forest. Beat.
We cut to Hakoi, who looks down, shaking his head. Then he looks forward with determination.
Hakoi
Not again. I am not letting this one slip through my fingers.
Kayat
(Looks down at his eelhound) Sir, that may be a- (The eelhound perks his head up, and starts sniffing) ...Hold on.
Hakoi looks at the eelhound in surprise. A creeping, suspenseful score starts playing as It starts sniffing around, investigating the area. Hakoi watches in intense anticipation.
Hakoi
Well? Did she find it again?
Kayat
I'm not sure...
We cut to a close up the eelhound, as it sticks its snout through some branches, then it makes its way through the bush. It narrows its eyes, then it yelps.
Kayat
(Smiles) Hakoi… It's your lucky day.
The camera pans down to reveal the fruit peel that Kato left on the ground. The eelhound follows the trail and leads the two of them out frame.
Then we fade slowly to a wide shot of the cul-de-sac outside the airbender village. We see Hakoi and Kayat ride out into the middle of the field. The eelhound continues to sniff around.
We cut to Jang flying through the air as the sun sets behind him. Jang lands outside of his and Kato's tent, then he closes his glider. He walks over and opens the door flap.
Jang
Kato?
Jang sees that Kato isn't there. He raises his eyebrow.
We cut to Jang walking around the village. He sees people he doesn't know, doing things that he doesn't care about. He finally comes upon Sen, who is reciting a story to a group of children by a fire.
Sen
Guru Lobsang feared the worst. He could hear the trees shaking... Shaking so much that their acorns were falling to the ground!
Sen then looks up and notices Jang, who motions for him.
Kid
What happened next?
Sen
What happened next is a good question and one that will be answered in just a moment.
Sen walks over to Jang.
Sen
Good evening, Jang. How was your trip?
Jang
Fine. Have you seen Mushi around?
Sen
No, I don't think I have... Is something the matter?
Jang
I just need to talk to him.
Sen
(Nods) Would you like to join us for story time?
Jang looks at all the kids who are staring at him.
Jang
No. Thanks, but... No.
Sen
Very well.
Sen bows to Jang, who bows back. Sen walks back over to the kids as Jang departs.
Sen
As I was saying... Lobsang could hear the spirit's footsteps. They were so big and heavy that they shook the whole world!
We cut to Jang making another landing outside the tent. Jang walks inside and sits on the bed, rubbing his beard in thought.
We cut to Hakoi and Kayat in their imperial tent, which stands out in the thick forest they're in. The Eelhounds are sleeping. There is a fire crackling. Kayat is fastidiously cleaning the Eelhound armor. Hakoi is sitting over a plate of fish and a cup of fish sauce. With chopsticks, he dunks the fish and eats it.
They hear a strange bird call in the distance.
Hakoi looks around, eating another piece of fish. Then he raises his eyebrow.
Hakoi
Wait a second… Wasn't this forest supposed to be haunted?
Kayat continues cleaning the armor. He looks at Hakoi.
Hakoi
There are no evil spirits anywhere! What gives?
Kayat
For the record, I never thought this place was haunted. (Continues cleaning) Spirits aren't real.
Hakoi turns to Kayat, looking surprised.
Hakoi
You don't believe in spirits? (Kayat shakes his head) But… You've seen Tui and La…
Kayat
No, I've seen two koi fish swimming around in a pond. Who's to say they were different from any other fish in any other pond?
We cut to Hakoi, who bites off a chunk of fish in that moment, then he swallows it. He looks like he's processing what Kayat just said. Kayat finishes cleaning the plate of armor and places it on a sheet. A moment passes.
Kayat
Sir, if I may ask. Why is this so important to you? Three weeks ago, you wouldn't have given Prince Kato a second thought. And this task certainly wasn't assigned to you. So why go through all the trouble?
Hakoi looks down. Then he sighs.
Hakoi
I know what my father thinks of me... He thinks I'm some spoiled, pampered, little kid. (He turns to Kayat) But I'm a warrior, just like him. (Eats another piece) And I'm gonna prove it.
We cut to Ohai sitting in her tent. She grabs a wooden pail full of water and splashes some on her face. Then she puts the pail down and starts doing some stretches.
After a moment, she looks up. Sen pulls back the door flap and knocks on the support beam.
Sen
Are you busy?
Ohai
No, I'm just getting ready for bed. (Sen nods) What's on your mind?
Sen walks in and sits across from Ohai. He looks like he's thinking about the best way to phrase what he's about to say.
Sen
What do you think about Jang?
Ohai
Hmm?
Sen
Does he seem different to you? From how he was back in the day?
Ohai
(Shrugs) I don't know. I didn't really know him that well. (Sen nods, then he looks to the side) But remember, he was in captivity for twenty years. That kind of experience was bound to change him.
Sen
Yes. That's true. (Pause) I'm just worried he's having trouble... Adjusting.
Ohai
(Nods) Well, do you think it would help if we made more of an effort to include him in the goings on around here?
Sen
I do. (Thinks for a moment) Yeah... Thanks, Ohai.
The two stand up and bow to each other.
Sen
I don't know why I was getting so in my head about this.
Ohai
It's completely understandable, you two were very close. (She walks up and pats Sen on the arm) It's a process. You have to give him time.
Sen nods. Ohai then looks down at a big hole in his robe.
Ohai
Speaking of time, I think you've spent a little too much of it in this old robe.
Sen smiles.
We cut to Kato in the darkness, clutching his knees. He's sitting against a tree, surrounded by the sound of crickets.
Kato
(Murmuring to himself) I'm gonna die here. This is my destiny. This is what it was all leading towards. Me, in a forest, alone, hated, miserable, and covered in dirt. (Pause) I'm a joke. My whole life is a joke. (Starts to laugh) The rock pushing prince. (Laughs harder) It's so funny, isn't it? (He laughs more, then he pauses. After a moment, he switches to a completely different voice) I don't think it's that funny.
We cut to a close up of Kato, as his eyes slowly widen.
Kato
(Back to his normal voice) I'm going insane.
Kato grabs his hair, then he stares up at the trees.
Kato
(Yelling) Are you happy?!
His volume causes a swarm of insects to gather. Kato starts trying to swat them away, but they're stinging him. Kato starts running and screaming. He earthbends a boulder out of the ground and throws it backwards over his head. The boulder crashes into a tree and causes it to topple. We hear birds reacting to this.
Kato runs towards a stream and jumps into it with a splash. He waits for a moment and then crawls out. He huddles on the ground, manically laughing in frustration.
We hear the depressing sound of a single string instrument in the background. We cut to a wide view of the forest canopy. This sun is slowly rising behind the trees, bringing violent orange light into the sky.
We cut back to Kato, Lying on the ground next to the pond, covered in mud and stings. His eyes slowly open. He looks up at the sky.
Then he smiles blithely.
We cut to Jang up and about the village in the early morning. He finds Ohai meditating. Jang makes his presence known with a cough. Ohai opens one eye and sees him.
Ohai
Jang. It's nice to see you up so early.
Jang
Yes, yes. Have you seen my young associate?
Ohai
Mushi? No… Last time I saw him was yesterday afternoon.
Jang nods.
Jang
Where?
Ohai
I believe it was out by the briar garden, near the construction.
Jang
What was he doing?
Ohai
(Thinks) Oh! He was talking to our engineer. The two seem to have struck up a friendship…
Jang narrows his eyes.
Jang
Yamani? (Ohai nods) Where did they go?
Ohai
I'm not sure. You seem tense, Jang. Could I interest you in an effervescent balm?
Ohai bends over to retrieve the balm. When she raises her head up again, Jang is gone. She sighs in disappointment.
We cut to Kayat and Hakoi on their Eelhounds walking through the forest. Hakoi is swatting bugs off of himself. The Eelhounds are eating them. The two walk for a while, then suddenly, they hear a noise coming from beyond some trees.
Hakoi
Does that sound like…
Kayat
A person?
Hakoi raises his eyebrows.
Hakoi and Kayat turn their attention to the noise and investigate.
We cut to Kato walking through the forest, humming to himself. He casually pushes a branch out of the way.
We intercut between Kato trudging through the forest and Hakoi and Kayat looking for the source of the noise.
Kayat slices a thicket of branches and he and Hakoi finally see who it is.
We cut to Sen, standing in a small garden. Sen looks at Hakoi and Kayat with wide eyes, gasping.
Beat.
Sen then deploys his glider and takes off. Kayat quickly drains some water from a bush and throws the water like a lasso at Sen.
The lasso wraps around Sen's foot.
We cut to Yamani, inside of her tent. She is looking down at a scrap of paper. She narrows her eyes and flicks the scrap of paper, then puts it on the shelf.
Then she takes out her flute and blows into it, but it's jammed. She takes a look inside the flute, then shakes it, trying to dislodge whatever's in there. She blows through it again and it's still jammed.
She hears a gust of wind outside and walks out to see Jang landing in front of her.
Yamani
(Surprised) Jang.
Yamani brushes the hair out of her face and looks presentable. Jang walks towards her.
Jang
Ohai tells me that you've been talking to my young friend.
Yamani
Mushi, yes. He's an... Interesting fellow.
Jang
Mhm. So what he told me was correct.
Yamani
Who?
Jang
Mushi.
Yamani
What did he say?
Jang
He said that you were quite interested in him. That you were perhaps interrogating him.
Yamani
(Laughing) What? I wanted him to move a waterwheel!
Jang
(Raises his eyebrow) A waterwheel?
Yamani
Yeah! There was a stone jammed in the spokes of the waterwheel by the squash garden. I've been trying to get it to budge for weeks, and I thought Mushi, being an earthbender, might be able to help me out.
Jang
Why are you even talking to him? He's a troubled kid, and he doesn't need you troubling him further.
Yamani
...Hold on. I think we're getting off on the wrong foot here. I'm not looking for any trouble.
Jang
He told me that you were asking him questions, saying he was hiding something. Do you deny this?
Yamani crosses her arms.
Yamani
Honestly, I think you're both hiding something.
Jang
(Frowns) Where is he?
Yamani
Is he not back at camp?
Jang
No, he's not! And the last person he was seen with is you! That's why I'm here!
Yamani
Why didn't you just say that? What, did you think that I… Did something?
Jang
Well, no, I mean… Ohai... She said that nobody really knows you here. That you're a bit… Strange.
Yamani's face drops slightly.
Yamani
She said that?
Jang looks kind of guilty.
Jang
Look, that's not important right now. What's important is that my young friend is missing, and he knows nothing of navigation or scavenging. You understand?
Yamani
He's a field hand and he doesn't know that?
Jang
Alright, alright, you're very clever. I get it.
Yamani grins, and then Jang deploys his glider and takes off. Yamani exhales with a mixed expression. Then she follows Jang.
We cut to Sen, his face bruised. He spits some blood on the ground. His arms are being held behind his back by Kayat.
Sen
You have no business here. Leave, immediately!
Hakoi stands over him and gathers some water. He bends the water at Sen's face like a fist.
Hakoi
Don't be a hero. Take us to your village, peacefully, and there's a good chance to walk out of this alive.
Sen
What do you want?
Hakoi
We're looking for two fugitives. An old man and a teenage boy. We don't care about the old man, we just want the boy.
Kayat
He belongs to the Empire.
Hakoi
Seen him?
Sen tries not to give anything away on his face.
Sen
What did he do?
Hakoi
I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. Is that a yes or a no?
Sen
No! I'm not interested in helping you kidnap an innocent person. Not on my watch.
Hakoi
Aha. So you have seen him.
Sen spits blood in Hakoi's face. Hakoi bends an ice dagger and holds it next to Sen's heart.
Hakoi
Take us to him. Now.
We cut to Kayat, who is listening intently to something. Then he looks up and sees a treehouse. He nudges Hakoi, who looks up and sees it as well.
Hakoi
Well, look at that. You savages built a little village in the trees. How quaint.
We cut back to Kayat, who is looking up at the treehouse.
Kayat
(Narrows his eyes) I hear children in this one.
Sen widens his eyes.
Sen
Have you no decency? No conscience? The earthbender is just trying to live his life! What right do you have to take that away from him? (Coughs) He doesn't belong to you!
Hakoi leans down, face to face with Sen. He narrows his eyes.
Hakoi
Do you really think we would come all this way for some runaway servant?
Hakoi takes out his hairpin. Then he gathers all of his hair and holds it up, before turning to Kayat.
Hakoi
Cut it all off.
We cut to a wide shot of Jang and Yamani gliding through the trees, looking for Kato. They fly around for a while, then Jang lands on a large branch. Yamani follows, landing beside him.
Jang narrows his eyes, looking around.
Yamani
So… Do you have any hobbies?
Jang side eyes Yamani, then he keeps looking around. Yamani realizes she's not going to get an answer and looks down. Then Jang taps her on the shoulder.
Jang
Look.
Yamani looks out and sees a clump of trees that have been flattened by a large boulder.
Jang
That was probably him. We're close.
Jang opens his glider and takes off again.
Yamani
Huh… So, he is an earthbender.
Yamani opens her glider and follows him.
We cut to an aerial shot, looking down at the forest floor, as Jang and Yamani continue looking for him. We cut to Jang, whose eyes are darting around. Then we cut to his view and we see Kato down below. Jang sighs in relief.
We cut to Kato, who is just about to eat a strange berry. Then he turns around as Jang and Yamani land behind him. Jang runs over and hugs Kato.
Jang
Mushi! What are you doing all the way out here?
Kato
Hello, Jang. You know, I'm not entirely sure…
Jang narrows his eyes, then Kato turns to Yamani.
Kato
Hello there! I don't believe we've met.
Yamani
(Raises her eyebrow) Um…
Jang's eyes widen, then he grabs Kato and drags him off to the side. Yamani watches with a confused smirk.
Jang
(Trying to play it cool, failing) What are you talking about? You've met Yamani before!
Kato
(Scratching his head) I have?
Jang gives Yamani a nervous laugh and then turns back to Kato
Jang
(Whispering) Mushi? Do you remember who you are?
Kato
...Of course! I'm Mushi!
Jang
Oh, boy...
We cut back to Yamani, who is quite interested in what's going on. Jang looks over again and clears his throat.
Jang
I think our friend has spent a little too much time in the wilderness. We should probably get him back home.
Yamani nods.
Kato
Where are we going?
Jang rolls his eyes, sighing.
We cut to Ohai bringing a large scroll into a room full of airbenders. Ohai lays the scroll on the wooden pedestal, then she unrolls it and clips it down on both ends, before looking up.
Ohai
Good afternoon, everyone. I'm sorry for the delay. Let's take a moment of silence before we begin our recitations.
Everyone in the room closes their eyes for a moment. Then they hear a knock on the door. Ohai looks up and sees Oola.
Oola
I'm so sorry. Ohai, we have a new arrival.
Ohai looks surprised.
We cut to Ohai waiting in a small space. We see an illustration of an air bison on the wall. Then she turns to the door as Oola walks in, followed by a young man.
Ohai stands up and bows.
Ohai
Good tidings, young one. Welcome to our village. What's your name?
We cut to Hakoi. His hair has been chopped off and he's wearing Sen's robe. He talks in a wispy voice.
Hakoi
I'm Ling. (Bows)
We cut to Hakoi sitting down next to a table. Ohai and Oola are across from him.
Hakoi
(Looking down in fake sadness) My village was destroyed by a flood several months ago and I've been wandering through the forest ever since. (He looks up) I'm just so glad I found you guys.
Ohai
Oh, you poor thing. Well, you're safe now. Would you like something? A drink, perhaps?
Hakoi
Some tea would be lovely.
Oola
(Nods) I'll put on a kettle.
Oola stands up and walks out of the room. Ohai continues to look at Hakoi with sympathy, while Hakoi looks back. He clears his throat.
Hakoi
I have a question. On my travels, I ran into some people. An old man and a boy who was about my age. They were so incredibly helpful, but one day they just disappeared. I was wondering if they were from this village?
Ohai
They could be. Did you get their names, by any chance?
Hakoi
(Looking down in thought) Yes, I believe the man's name was Jang.
Ohai
(Surprised) Oh. Well, It seems you've come to the right place, Ling.
Hakoi grins ambitiously, then he suddenly realizes what he's doing and reigns in his expression.
Hakoi
I'm so glad! Is he still with the boy? I'd love to thank them both for everything they did for me. In person, if possible.
Ohai is looking down at Sen's chest.
Ohai
It's possible…
We cut to his chest, and we see a close up of the hole in Hakoi's robe. Then the camera slowly pans up to Hakoi's blue eyes.
We cut back to Ohai, who smiles politely and then stands up.
Ohai
One moment. I'm going to see if Oola needs any help.
Hakoi narrows his eyes.
We cut to a kettle over a small fire. The water in the kettle is just starting to boil. Oola turns around and sees Ohai.
Ohai
Oola, where's your father?
Oola
I don't know. I haven't seen him since this morning. Why?
Ohai is about to say something, then Hakoi steps into the room. Ohai looks at him in fear. The two stare each other down for a second.
Oola
...What's going on?
Ohai
Oola, get out of here and warn the others. Ling isn't who he says he is.
Oola
What?
Hakoi reaches inside his robe, and Ohai steps back, reflexively arming herself with air. Then Hakoi retrieves a coin purse. He shakes it for the two of them.
Hakoi
(In his normal voice) There are forty gold pieces in this purse. (Condescending) Do you know what gold is? It's very valuable.
Ohai and Oola glance at each other, then they look back.
Hakoi
I'm gonna make this real simple. Bring me Jang and the boy, and you get to keep all this gold. What do you say?
Ohai
We don't want your blood money.
Oola
How did you find us?
Hakoi
(Grins) Your friend, what's his name? Sen? (Oola's eyes widen) Poor fellow. It didn't take much to get him talking. (He imitates by punching his own palm)
Oola gasps, then she blasts Hakoi through the door with air. Hakoi tumbles across the platform outside, surprising some onlookers. The coin purse opens and gold coins spill out onto the floor. The onlookers turn and see Oola and Ohai walking out after him.
Airbender
What's going on?
Hakoi stands up, then he bends some water out of his hidden canteen and spreads it around him, forming a shield of ice daggers around himself. The onlookers gasp and start panicking.
Airbender
He's Kamakoi!
Airbender 2
We've been infiltrated!
Hakoi
That's right! Now everybody stop right where you are or you'll get a faceful of daggers! (Whistles) Tikima!
Suddenly, Hakoi's eelhound runs over from behind one of the trees. It starts snapping at people as they run out of the way, then it stops by Hakoi.
Ohai and Oola stop in their tracks, not wanting to get too close to it.
Oola
Where's Sen?!
Hakoi
You want him back?! Bring me the boy! That's the deal!
Ohai arms herself again, and several people in the background fetch bows and arrows and other weapons. Hakoi looks around.
Hakoi
(Wagging his finger) Up, bup, bup. You think I came here without backup?
We cut to Kayat and Sen, standing below the village. Sen is in his underwear. Kayat has an enormous ice ball at the ready.
Hakoi (Voiceover)
A captain of the imperial army is standing underneath one of your treehouses with a large ball of ice. I give him the signal, and he gets to work on a little renovation project.
The camera pans up and we see the ice ball poised to hit one of the large treehouses.
We then cut back to Hakoi.
Hakoi
I think we heard some children inside. It wouldn't be a schoolhouse by any chance, hmm?
As the airbenders stare at him with shock and fury, the kettle starts whistling in the background.
We cut to a wide shot of Kato, Jang, and Yamani walking across a rope bridge. Kato is whistling a nice little tune.
We cut to Yamani, who is observing Kato with confusion. Then the camera pans over to Jang, who looks very worried. Finally, the camera pans down to Kato, carrying that blithe expression. The camera follows them as they walk up to a thicket of branches. Jang pulls them to the side.
The camera is focused on Kato as the branches sweep around him. He opens his eyes and then a bang of percussion plays as his expression changes. He stops whistling.
Kato
(Quietly) ...Hakoi?
We cut to Hakoi, who is still hovering a cluster of ice daggers. He turns around and looks at Kato with a grin.
Hakoi
There you are.
Jang and Yamani widen their eyes. Jang gets into a fighting position. Yamani runs off into the crowd.
Ohai
(Angrily) Jang! What have you and Mushi gotten yourselves into?!
Hakoi
(Chuckling) Mushi? (He looks at Kato) Is that what you're calling yourself now?
Kato gives no response. He's frozen.
Hakoi
No matter. The jig is up. Now come with me, and no funny business.
Ohai puts her arm in front of Kato.
Ohai
No. You're not taking him.
Jang is ready to fight, but he looks at Ohai with interest. Hakoi sneers.
Hakoi
Just hand him over. I don't want to hurt anyone else.
Ohai
Then don't. You have a choice. You can walk out of here right now.
Hakoi narrows his eyes, then he looks around at everyone.
Hakoi
Do you people even know who you're defending? Who this 'Mushi' character really is?
Jang
Shut your mouth.
Hakoi
I bet if you knew, you would not be so hospitable.
Ohai
I don't care what he did to escape your wretched prison camp! All I know is that he's here now under my protection.
Hakoi
What did he tell you? (Baby voice) That he was a poor little earthbender? Trapped inside the capital?
Jang
I said shut your mouth!
Ohai looks at Jang and then Looks at Hakoi. Hakoi points at Kato.
Hakoi
This kid you're protecting wasn't a servant! He's Kato, of the Kamakoi! Heir to the ice throne!
The airbenders drop their jaws. We see Yamani, off to the side, with a "I knew something was up!" expression.
Hakoi
Well, he was, anyway... Now he's just a false prince.
Ohai looks at Jang, then she looks at Kato. Everyone is looking at Kato.
Kato looks at them all with apologetic eyes, then suddenly, an ice lasso snaps around his leg. He falls to the ground and gets dragged over to Hakoi.
Hakoi
There we go. Nice and easy.
Kato closes his eyes, accepting his fate as Hakoi drags him over.
Then, we cut to a close up of Jang's pocket. He takes out the bag of pepper powder and blows it at Hakoi. It also hits Kato.
Kato's ice shackle dissolves as he clutches his eyes.
Kato
Jang!
A discordant note on a stringed instrument starts playing.
We see Jang swooping in towards Hakoi and landing an air assisted strike on Hakoi's leg, breaking it.
Hakoi falls down in pain. His leg is broken and his eyes are tearing up. Hakoi tries to waterbend at Jang, but he blocks his wrist. Then Jang moves in and slowly draws the air out of Hakoi's lungs.
We pan across the crowd of airbenders as they watch in shock. We briefly see Kato looking a little disturbed.
Then we cut to Jang, who looks down hatefully as he suffocates Hakoi.
A moment passes. Then a few airbenders, including Ohai, grab Jang and pull him off of Hakoi, who coughs and raspily starts breathing again, writhing on the ground.
The airbenders hold Jang back, while Hakoi fearfully drags himself away from Jang. Then he finds his Eelhound and clumsily mounts it, before looking around at everyone in anger.
Hakoi
You think I needed you savages to save me?!
Ohai turns to Hakoi and aims a bow and arrow at him. Hakoi whips his Eelhound to get going.
Hakoi
(As he's riding away) You just made the biggest mistake of your lives! I'll be back! And next time I'll bring an army! Then we'll see who's so tough!
Ohai
Leave now! Before you embarrass yourself further!
We cut to Hakoi, who narrows his eyes in rage, then he turns.
Hakoi
Kayat! Now!
We cut to Kayat and Sen. Kayat nods and then lobs the ice ball up into the air.
Sen
No!
We cut to the interior of the schoolhouse, full of airbenders, children, etc.
Boom! The ice ball tears through the floor of the house and people go tumbling out. A couple of kids fall onto the ground. A musical instrument slides out of the broken floor and falls towards them. Then a woman swoops down and saves them before it crashes into the ground.
Hakoi's eelhound climbs down the trunk of a tree and he reaches Kayat.
Kayat
What about Kato?
Kayat then looks down at Hakoi's broken leg. Hakoi is clenching his teeth in pain. Kayat nods in understanding.
Hakoi and Kayat make their way out as airbenders panic, trying to keep the rest of the schoolhouse from collapsing. We cut to one last shot of Hakoi, as he turns around and looks up at the village in anger.
We cut back to the meeting area, as a couple of airbenders fly Sen up to the platform and lay him down on the ground.
Some people rush to Sen to aid him. Everyone is now looking at Kato again. Kato gets up off the ground and Jang joins him. Ohai narrows her eyes at the two of them, then looks at Jang.
Sen
(weakly, from the ground) Ohai, please.
Ohai puts her hand up to Sen, while looking at Jang.
Ohai
How could you be so irresponsible? Did you think at all before you brought this boy here? No! And now you've put us all in jeopardy! Not only our lives, but our culture! A culture which you seem to have abandoned completely!
Jang
No. I know what it means to be an airbender.
Ohai
Oh, do you?
Jang
You heard that scum! In two weeks he's gonna march in here with an army and you people can't do a thing to stop him! Tell me, Ohai, how do you plan on keeping your culture while they're dragging you out of here in a cage?
Ohai narrows her eyes.
Ohai
(Slowly, enunciating every syllable) We do not draw breath. (She shakes her head, looks at Kato) We won't harm the boy, but he can't stay with us, nor can you. (Looks at Jang) You're both banished.
Jang shakes his head and then turns to leave, but not before turning back again.
Jang
I tried to warn you. Remember that.
He takes Kato and the two walk out of the village.
Then we cut to Yamani, who ponders something.
We cut to Kato and Jang, walking on a forest path in silence. Kato rubs his still peppery eyes and looks at Jang.
Jang
What?
A few things cycle through Kato's mind but he doesn't say any of them. Jang ruffles Kato's hair.
Kato
So, are you going to tell me about this mission or not?
Jang thinks for a moment.
Jang
Would you allow me to make a suggestion? (Kato looks confused, then nods) Before we dive into that, I believe it might benefit you to have some questions answered. Questions about yourself... And your ancestry.
Kato
But… I mean… I'm Illegitimate, right? That's the only thing that makes sense...
Jang
Kato. Do you not look the spitting image of your father? ...Or your brother?
Kato smarts for a moment.
Kato
Hmm. Are you talking about the hall of records on Kiyuga island?
Jang
No. The Empire purged that place of any useful information long ago. What I'm talking about is a library. The biggest and oldest library in the world. And it's located somewhere no waterbender ever wishes to visit.
Kato
Where?
Jang
The Si Wong Desert.
Kato looks surprised. The two continue walking. Suddenly, they hear a swoosh of air, and Yamani makes a landing in front of them. Kato greets her awkwardly.
Kato
Hey… Yamani…
Jang waves.
Yamani
Hello, you two.
Yamani smiles at them for a moment.
Yamani
So... I don't know what you guys are up to… But, you're gonna need some back up. Whaddya say?
Jang and Kato look at eachother, unsure.
Yamani
You know, I don't love playing this card, but… I kinda don't have a home anymore?
Jang and Kato look down with guilt, then they nod politely. Yamani slaps them both on the arm.
Yamani
That's the spirit!
Jang looks at Kato and shrugs. Kato shrugs back. The three head off together. Yamani then turns to Kato.
Yamani
So, do you prefer Kato or Mushi?
We cut a wide shot of Yamani's tent, abandoned, as airbenders in the background are running around gathering their things. We see mothers, fathers and children all taking off.
We cut the inside of Yamani's tent. Then we see the scrap of paper, still on the shelf.
We cut to a close up of the paper:
WW Federation
Ahno Prefecture
Jang - Tall, late 50's
TO BE CONTINUED...