EXT. BE-SING-SWIM WATERPARK - DAY
Makami picks at a tuft of cotton candy as she looks around with wonderous eyes. Behind her is the hooded person, closing in with metal glimmering in the hands at their sides.
She stops at the edge of a pool next to a sign that reads "The Frozen Fun Zone." Children flop around in a very shallow pool.
The hooded figure speeds up, pulling their wrist up.
Makami is pulled out of the way just in time, causing the figure to trip into the pool with a splash.
LIFEGUARD (O.S.)
Alright everyone, here comes the freeze!
The pool freezes as the children cheer. The attacker is stuck in the ice face down, their moaning just barely heard.
Makami is around the corner with surprised eyes meeting Voso's. He doesn't look happy while she's ecstatic.
VOSO
(whispering)
The Avatar just walks around without any protection these days, hm?
She throws the cotton candy before wrapping her arms around his neck.
MAKAMI
(excitedly)
Voso!
He hugs her back, his eyes relenting as they share a quiet moment. When they do release, they stay in one another's arms.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
I was hoping you'd still be here with your uncle - Kota is here and will-
VOSO
I'm glad to see you too.
MAKAMI
(high-pitched giggling)
Hah, really?
VOSO
I can't wait to show you around the...
He lets his smile sour.
VOSO
Look, I had to find you before the meeting. We need to talk - follow me.
Back in the pool, the attacker breaks free of the ice with fire bending and rushes off-screen.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL CHAMBERS - DAY
Inca and Alrund peer out from Inca's balcony towards the private train platform that is bringing in a group of delegates now.
ALRUND
I do believe everyone has arrived.
INCA
Finally. I want this behind us.
ALRUND
You've pulled this together beautifully, sister.
INCA
And it's aged my spirit considerably.
The doors open behind them, letting in Grand Master Meelo followed by Master Paya. Meelo waddles in with a large smile.
MEELO
Ah, my dear President Inca! I can hardly imagine your relief at being so very close to a peaceful end to this stand-off.
INCA
You know what they say about singing fate's name before she comes, Grand Master?
MEELO
No, what do they say?
INCA
That fate's always fashionably late, so don't assign her a dish to bring.
Inca and Meelo burst into laughter while Alrund and Paya wince. He sidles towards her, handing over a think folio and a single sheet of paper.
PAYA
We marked the changes, and here's the sign sheet for you to proof.
ALRUND
Good. Any changes?
PAYA
Check your wording - we've made it as precise as possible, but you need to make sure it matches what the President wants from the Fire Nation.
She flips, speedily reading the page and its second page. The pages close and she slaps the paper to Paya's chest. The laughing pair are finally calming down.
ALRUND
It's perfect.
PAYA
You're comfortable with these terms?
INCA
(wiping her eyes)
More than comfortable.
MEELO
A wise decision, Madame President. This shall give you power beyond destruction and fear.
PAYA
But the Fire Nation will-?
ALRUND
They will agree with these terms. An inside source has assured us.
MEELO
Then, President Inca, I believe we are in need of a victorious drink.
Servants swarm with filled goblets while Paya hands Meelo the final copy.
MEELO
Tell me, Madame President, have you met the Avatar yet?
INCA
We did just this morning as she arrived.
PAYA
How did she strike you?
Inca and Alrund share a smile over their goblets.
INCA
Growing up on the streets of Ba-Sing-se, there was a rich little girl from a provincial family that would come to see our parents regularly at the laundry. She was innocent, trained to be polite, and believed the world to be a very simple place. This Avatar reminds me of that little girl.
Meelo grunts.
ALRUND
You met the former Avatar, isn't that right, Grand Master?
MEELO
Oh yes, I was in league with Korra. I bore witness to her power and poise, then to her foolishness and mistakes. She was a steel spine when the world needed one.
ALRUND
A shame they can't all be made of the same thread, hm?
Paya eyes his master carefully. For a moment, his smile breaks into a scowl that circles back into a wide, elderly grin. Meelo brings his drink up in a toast.
MEELO
To a new age of peace.
CUT TO:
EXT. AMBASSADOR'S ROW ROOFTOP - DAY
Sitting on a high, flat rooftop are Voso and Makami. They are cross-legged inside of a yellow and green double innertube, him in the front seat while she's in the back. They're facing the city, a tied rope keeping them anchored to a metal shimney.
VOSO
But they didn't listen to the legal argument?
MAKAMI
No, can you believe it? They weren't listening to any sense at all.
VOSO
(laughing)
Well, you could've always tried the Avatar State. I hear that's very...
He swims his hands through the air.
VOSO
Whoosh-y.
MAKAMI
Oh, heh, yeah, that is a work in progress. We've got a bending-master-of-a-certain-type in the crew now, at least.
VOSO
Is that the immaculate beef-sheet that was elbowing in on your interview?
MAKAMI
His name is Abe, and you be nice. He's already taught me untold secrets about water bending.
VOSO
Hrm, so water done, you're already a fire bending master... isn't the old guy an air bender?
She nods with her eyes sparkling at the compliment.
VOSO
You'll have to grab an earth bender before you skip town.
Forneus swings through the foreground with Voso's spiritual friends squealing with glee, clutched to its tail and fins.
MAKAMI
Heh, yeah, once this deal is done. How's that been?
VOSO
(sighing)
It's been...you remember that clock that's always wrong? Ventinari's?
She lookes about to explode with happiness, managing to nod her head.
VOSO
Well, imagine three of those clocks ticking away until they all align at the same time. Like, what are the odds of that ever happening?
MAKAMI
Point-zero-zero-one-three percent.
VOSO
(laughing)
You forgot to plug in my grandpa's stubbornness.
Makami smiles with him, leaning forward so their shoulders are even. Slowly and with several sideways glances, she leans her shoulder to his. Then, her head to his shoulder. After a beat, he lays his head on hers.
They sit in silence, looking over the city far below.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
This is pretty great.
VOSO
(whispering)
This is the first time I've been happy since we left.
MAKAMI
(whispering)
Me too.
He sighs and lifts his head, turning towards her in the tube.
VOSO
I've just got to tell you something about the meeting. They wanted to trade some very terrible weapons for you, basically making you the Earth Kingdom's Avatar.
MAKAMI
Really? That's worth stopping a war?
VOSO
It...was, but you don't have to worry about it any more. I worked something out, so you'll be free.
MAKAMI
Oh, did you? Like what?
VOSO
I...may have lied to them about sending them state secrets.
MAKAMI
(loudly)
What!?
He slams his finger to his lips.
MAKAMI
(harshly whispering)
What?! How involved in this are you, secret spy?
VOSO
(quietly)
Pretty involved by now. Look, I'm telling you this to show you the type of people we're meeting. If they knew you and I were close, they'd destroy the entire deal. This is the time to be careful if there ever was one.
MAKAMI
Is meeting with me up here 'careful'?
VOSO
Well...no, but I...I missed you.
Makami freezes and melts with the admission, her cheeks flushing. His follow suit.
VOSO
(stammering)
And, uh, because it's what a super secret ultra spy would do, right?
MAKAMI
(barely audibly)
Sure.
The two lock eyes for a moment with her gently leaning in for a kiss. Voso's expression changes suddenly, his eyes flicking behind her.
VOSO
(shouting)
GET DOWN!
A trio of flaming knives stick into a wooden beam, sizzling past where Makami's head would've been..
Makami kicks a foot back to blast air, but the strike also pushes their innertube from the roof as the assassin falls backwards.
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Hold on!
EXT. LOWER BA-SING-SE - CONTINUOUS
Flames shoot out of her feet to slow the descent while Voso turns to look back for their enemy. Sure enough, the assassin glides down on black wings with a small, repeating crossbow shooting arrows.
VOSO
(shouting)
Switch!
Voso leaps over her as she dives into the front seat, forming an ice shield that protects them.
Looking ahead, Makami aims for one of the main waterways that runs through the city.
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Water landing!
Before they splash down, Voso sends several ice shards through the air towards the enemy. Their black wings rip from the ice, steering them off course.
EXT. BA-SING-SE MARKET - CONTINUOUS
Makami and Voso are standing on ice circles set in the inner tube openings, using their arms to bend through the water. His swings are fluid and long while she has no rhythm.
VOSO
(shouting)
Swing your arms in sync like this.
She looks back while he grips her shoulders gently, slowing considerably.
VOSO
Don't tense your shoulders the energy will get stuck in your joints.
They've come to a complete stop staring into each other's eyes.
MAKAMI
(hypnotized)
Wouldn't want that...
She snaps out of it and blasts a pair of air cannons behind Voso's head to deflect arrow bolts. They switch spots so Voso can drive and Makami can attack.
A dozen bolts come flying towards them at once, but Makami skillfully destroys them with angled lines of fire and air.
Suddenly, thrusters pop alive with flame from the back of the attacker, driving through Makami and taking her off the tube.
VOSO
(shouting)
Hey!
Voso pushes ahead faster, splashing the walls of water high in his wake.
Above him, the assassin swings at Makami, who pushes off him and stays airborne with flames from her hands. She spins around him faster than he can swing, causing confusion.
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Hey, c'mon slow poke!
He spins too fast in the air, bringing himself into a tailspin. Makami is nailed in the head by one of his feet, which throws her off balance.
Voso reacts quickly, freezing a ramp in front of him to catch her on the tube before bringing them back down to the water.
VOSO
(shouting)
Hands inside the ride, please!
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Nice catch!
A flaming arrow pops the tube. Makami spins to blow air that stops their forward momentum before they skip too far down the stone.
All three of them regain their balance, Makami and Voso moving with unspoken synchronization. The attacker drops his empty weapon in exchange for a pair of red-hot knives.
Makami is the first target, but a plate of ice from Voso stops the attack. She uses the ice as cover, blowing it into hot steam that sends the attacker backwards.
ASSASSIN
(screaming)
AH!
She shoots forward with an ice hook bringing his feet out from under him. Then, Voso slams down a wall of ice that encapsulates all but his head.
Makami is quick to grab his collar, even as the whistles of police come close.
MAKAMI
(growling)
Who sent you!?
ASSASSIN
(shivering)
L-long. L-li-live. Ongyo-Ki!
The police gently pull her away and establish a perimeter. She looks around while wiping her brow, but Voso is nowhere to be seen.
MAKAMI
Hey, did you...?
VOSO (O.S.)
(quietly)
Pssst!
He is far off behind the crowd, waving her over. She nods and spins to the officers.
MAKAMI
(in beefy voice)
Well done, officers. Now, I have Avatar business elsewhere...yes.
She rushes over to the back of the building where they hold each other at the elbow.
VOSO
(excitedly)
What are you kidding me? I've never seen someone adapt and...ZOOM through the air like that - then you took him down like it was nothing!
MAKAMI
(confidently)
Yeah, well, I guess it was pretty easy.
VOSO
It's just...you're just...
After much awkwardness, he lunges in for a kiss that ends in a headbutt.
They chuckle to one another as Voso comes close again. Makami readies for a kiss, but he talks instead.
VOSO
I need to go before we're seen, okay?
MAKAMI
Oh. Uh-huh, yeah. Tomorrow?
VOSO
Tomorrow, we don't know each other.
MAKAMI
Yeah, as long as, you know, no reporters saw us.
He takes off quickly after shifting his gaze around, leaving her to slam her back against the building with a sigh.
CUT TO:
INT. AIR NOMAD QUARTERS - EARLY EVENING
Paya walks into the room with his pack over his shoulder. Meelo is already in the room, meditating quietly. The room itself is simple with two straw beds and a single washing basin - a far cry from the other ambassadors' quarters.
Paya looks uncomfortable in the room, letting his belongings slip to his bed.
PAYA
It bothered you, didn't it? What they said about the Avatar?
Meelo passes gas, making himself laugh.
MEELO
(chuckling)
Ah-ha, excuse me. What did you say, Paya?
PAYA
The Avatar. You don't believe she's as naive as they do.
MEELO
Oh, by the spirits, no. I've too many times seen what happens to those that underestimate the Avatar. Even so, I don't think this Avatar will make many waves. She'll do what ends the war, just like they all do.
PAYA
And what ends our war, Grand Master?
Meelo stands up with his smile drooping.
MEELO
And what war is that, my friend?
PAYA
This!
He spreads his arm around to present only the room.
PAYA
This...this insult to our progress! We are a thriving nation of our own, but to all others, we shall never be anything more than cave-dwelling, mantra-having leaf-blowers that come to clean up their messes!
He sits down next to Meelo at a tea table.
PAYA
This is what I'm trying to evolve us beyond, Grand Master. When do we get there?
Meelo wraps one of his long sleeves around his thin arm and begins to spin his fingers in the air.
MEELO
The last time Sozen's comet graced us, everyone was quite sure that earth bending was the only way to mine ore. That water benders were the only ones that could build great ice cities.
From the spout of the kettle comes the tea, being swirled in air. Meelo angles his wrist to bring it to Paya's cup.
MEELO
The truth is that our elements all effect each other. Moving mountains is just a matter of time and pressure, my friend. I may not have as much time as I once did...
He raises his tea cup, bringing it under his nose.
MEELO
But the pressure we apply together shall change the world.
Meelo takes a sip of the steaming tea while Paya slowly picks his cup up.
PAYA
You're not going to fart all night, are you?
MEELO
(happily)
No promises!
CUT TO:
INT. AVATAR'S QUARTERS - EARLY EVENING
Kota combs Makami's hair gently with a pair of pins sticking out of her mouth. Abe's legs are in the rafters as he does sit-ups, his torso appearing and disappearing from an off-panel banister. Shii is at the window, using the waning light to read a book - overall a very relaxed atmosphere.
ABE
You should've seen that disrespectful Inca earlier talking down to Makami.
He disappears up, then comes back down.
ABE
Pick up her whole palace and move it to the swamp. That'll show her.
SHII
Perhaps not on the eve of a peace treaty signing.
KOTA
(mumbling through the pins)
Stop fidgeting.
She pulls them out and begins to fold Makami's hair together.
KOTA
Your old 'do' needs an Avatar refresh.
ABE
It seriously didn't bother you being treated like a kid?
MAKAMI
I think being respectful was the right move.
Shii stands in the background, closing the shutters.
SHII
And she's right. We, as the president's honored guests, need to be the most respectful voices in the room.
He meets eyes with Kota in the mirror.
SHII
And...it's here that I think Toyo can help us.
Makami turns her head to Kota's dismay, now facing Shii.
MAKAMI
Not a chance.
Kota snaps Makami's head back to the mirror.
SHII
He has experience in royal proceedings. He worked under Grand Advisor Kouichi before he became a sage.
KOTA
You need masters to teach you to bend, right? Well Toyo can be your politics master.
MAKAMI
Am I the broken record here, or did you all inhale innertube paint? I don't trust him to train me.
TOYO (O.S.)
(through the roof)
You could give him a chance.
MAKAMI
(loudly)
Go away, Toyo!
TOYO (O.S.)
(through the roof)
Wait, I have a present!
From the window in the background comes the assassin, tied up and bruised. He falls down with Toyo behind, landing like a hero, but quickly dropping the stance when Makami glares at him in the mirror.
TOYO
I, uh, brought your assassin for interrogation.
SHII
(surprised)
Assassin?
Kota pulls back on Makami's hair.
KOTA
(grumbling)
Something you forgot to tell us, Ami?
MAKAMI
(laughing nervously)
We thwarted him.
KOTA
We?
ASSASSIN (O.S.)
(loudly)
I have nothing to say to any of you!
Makami stands up quickly.
MAKAMI
Just get him back to his cell, then you can stand in the back of the room tomorrow.
Toyo tosses Shii in the air, the old air bender floating away before coming down.
TOYO
(excitedly)
A pathway to trust is built one stone at a time, and I am HERE for it!
He snatches up the failed killer.
TOYO
Come on, back to your cell.
As Toyo bounds out the window, there is a knock on the door that draws Kota. The large door opens easily under her hand.
KOTA
What?
MESSENGER (O.S.)
Letter for a...Ventinari?
Makami zooms into the panel quick enough to slam Kota into the wall, past the terrified Abe's head.
MAKAMI
(insanely quick)
That'sminethanksgoodnight!
She shuts the door, and immediately rides a jet of air into the back of the abode, landing on her bed. Her hands flash through unwrapping the letter.
VOSO (V.O.)
Makami, I know we left in a hurry, but after this is all over, I want to hear all about your adventures. I haven't forgotten about our date back home - and I will see you there soon. Sincerely, V.
KOTA (O.S.)
(whispering next to her ear)
You sneak...
Makami jumps back, holding the letter close as Kota comes at her with scissors.
KOTA
(mock angrily)
You saw my brother without me, didn't you!?
MAKAMI
(incredulously)
Ah, uh, no, no way - you have a brother?
KOTA
I did until Adachi took him. Now it's your turn, I guess.
MAKAMI
Are you jealous that he almost kissed me today?
They tangle together into a cloud of scissors and a laughing Makami.
KOTA
(forcefully)
Now you're getting a terrible haircut, you hear me!
CUT TO:
EXT. AMBASSADOR'S ROW - NIGHT
The assassin is free, his bindings cut by Toyo. The two share a nervous look as a shadowy figure appears in the foreground of the alley opening.
MYSTERIOUS MAN (O.S.)
Well? Any progress?
TOYO
Yes, some. I've gotten back in the room at least.
The assassin drops to a knee and crosses a hand over his heart.
ASSASSIN
My failure has no excuse. Tell the master that I will-
MYSTERIOUS MAN (O.S.)
Ongyo-Ki has no use for those that fail him. Kin-Ki?
TOYO
Yes?
MYSTERIOUS MAN (O.S.)
You have one more chance at these meetings to ensure that the Avatar plays her part. Do not let her leave that meeting without the treaty signed. To fail is to perish. Is that understood?
Toyo looks over his shoulder at a piece of metal. The angle pans down to his hand, which tightens in the foreground, raising the metal shard from the ground. The assassin is prostrated still, not sensing the danger rising behind him.
TOYO (O.S.)
Yes, sir.
His fist tightens once more, bringing the metal into the foreground with speed.