INT. CAPITAL CITY WAR ROOM - MORNING
Around the enclosed room, torches begin to light. There is a large square table with a map of the known world in the center, peppered with small metal and wooden models. A sturdy door dominates the background.
ICHIRO (O.S.)
(muffled)
I don't care what our intelligence network says!
The door is kicked open, revealing Fire Lord Ichiro flanked by Kouichi and several others. Kouichi is dressed in his silk, red and gold pajamas while the other dozen men and women are in full military armor. Everyone is looking honorable with their top-knots tied tightly and the metallic emblem of the Fire Nation everywhere.
ICHIRO
(loudly)
They clearly couldn't find a lock with a magnetic key - get me Adachi on the phone.
KOUICHI
We're ringing him now, sir.
ICHIRO
(loudly)
General Ino, explain to me how the Earth Kingdom's acquisition of this massive weapon went unnoticed for the five years you've been in charge?
GENERAL INO
The Earth Kingdom is a large place, sire-
KOUICHI
We have Adachi on the line, sir.
Ichiro waves his hand dismissively at the General as a large phone speaker is placed on the table in front of the lord.
ICHIRO
(loudly)
Commandant?
ADACHI (O.S.)
(over the phone)
Good morning, Lord Ichiro. I've heard the news.
ICHIRO
(loudly)
We saw the news plastered all over the sky. Did you know about this?
CUT TO:
INT. ADACHI'S QUARTERS - MORNING
Adachi looks very well rested, shaving the last of the former shadow from his face with a straight razor. Scars litter his shoulders that we can see while rain falls past the open window in the background.
ADACHI (V.O.)
The President has been avoiding our meetings since the first day I arrived. I had my suspicions.
CUT TO:
INT. CAPITAL CITY WAR ROOM
We see servants using long poles to push the figures into place using the latest intelligence. The background shows Ichiro hovering over the phone.
ICHIRO
Your presence there was to foster peaceful conversation and gather information. If you can do neither, then you are needed at home.
ADACHI (O.S.)
(over the phone)
I understand, sir. I ask that you give me more time.
CUT TO:
INT. ADACHI'S QUARTERS
The Commandant scowls as he ties his military dress carefully. His medals are prominent as he oozes a professionalism that won't be ignored.
ADACHI (V.O.)
I've been asked to a joint meeting this morning with Councilor Khonsu of the Water Nation for Inca to explain her actions. The Air Nomads will be in attendance too, as well as the Republic City ambassador.
He is buttoned up as Voso comes into the doorway behind him, stepping like a soldier and looking serious in a similar outfit cobbled together from the civilian sector.
ADACHI (V.O.)
This is a show of power, a bell rung by the President to bring the other nations to her doorstep.
CUT TO:
INT. CAPITAL CITY WAR ROOM
The angle shows Ichiro looking at Kouichi, who nods slowly.
ADACHI (O.S.)
(over the phone)
I believe this is where she will unveil her true demands.
KOUICHI
I agree with commandant Adachi.
ICHIRO
(annoyed)
Yes, fine - what of your agent?
CUT TO:
EXT. STOOP OF PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
Voso marches with his eyes forward alongside Adachi. The older man holds an umbrella over their heads, and steals a smirking glance towards Voso. Into the background stretches a procession of umbrellas, body guards, and dignitaries.
ADACHI (V.O.)
They are our best chance to discover the source of that weapon.
CUT TO:
INT. CAPITAL CITY WAR ROOM
Ichiro is back in his chair with Kouichi next to him, rubbing at his bare chin.
ADACHI (O.S.)
(over the phone)
I will report back with the information we gather soon. For now, I believe it would be prudent to update the map.
The servants are looking towards Ichiro, who waves his hand tiredly.
Now from above, we see one of them slowly placing a bomb-shaped marker in the heart of the Earth Kingdom.
ICHIRO (O.S.)
Time is running out, Adachi. Your nation needs you.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL MEETING ROOM - MORNING
The umbrellas all set aside, those that are to meet are coming forward towards the sand pit, which has now risen into a solid meeting table with chairs. Adachi and Voso take seats with their backs to the door, flanked closely by their security guards.
President Inca and Alrund step in last and sit quietly across from Adachi and Voso.
PRESIDENT INCA
Good morning all. I'd like to begin with my humblest apologies for-
KHONSU
(quickly)
Apologize? Why would you apologize for such a blatant show of force?
PRESIDENT INCA
Councilor Khonsu-
KHONSU
(incredulously)
Did one of your secret scientists trip and fall on the switch, hm? Oh, after another one spilled raven-berry jam on the joystick to aim it just outside the Southern Metropolis?
PRESIDENT INCA
(calmly)
I was assured that the height of the blast wouldn't harm-
Khonsu leans forward, losing more and more of his patience.
KHONSU
(edgy)
Wouldn't harm our people? Children and families screaming with painful blindness - hundreds of families that just peered out the window at the wrong time! Apologize to them, Madame President!
PRESIDENT INCA
I-
KHONSU
(louder)
Glaciers at our docks destroyed, sending thousands of pounds of cargo into the cold deep as their skippers slept!
Adachi reaches over to gently touch Khonsu's forearm.
ADACHI
(calmly)
The pain your people have suffered is greatest here, Khonsu. I believe the President is preparing to make reparations.
PRESIDENT INCA
Indeed so, thank you, Commandant.
She leans to Alrund, who begins to take notes with a small chunk of graphite. As they whisper to one another, Khonsu sits down heavily, pulling his forearm away from Adachi.
PRESIDENT INCA (O.S.)
Please allow me to explain more about the weapon your nations saw last night.
Alrund abandons her chair for the back wall where she pulls down an absolutely massive set of equations, theorems, functions, and other dizzyingly-detailed scribblings. The sheet pulled down is large enough to cover most of the back wall.
President Inca produces a pointer, extending it between her hands.
PRESIDENT INCA
Now then...
She is up and walking to the giant board.
PRESIDENT INCA
Full disclosure: this will be a tad mathematical and dry. There will be fresh tea brought in with muffins in just a few moments. Let's begin.
CUT TO:
EXT SOUTHERN METROPOLIS BACK ALLEY - MORNING
Makami and Shii walk amongst the people recovering from the blast. There are two rows of cots lining the streets with many of them filled with moaning, rolling patients. Water healers are walking up and down, using their natural gifts to give people their sight back.
She is looking defeated while he is trying to hurry her through.
MAKAMI
I want to help them.
SHII
The best thing you can do now is to train and get stronger.
MAKAMI
(to a nurse)
Excuse me?
Makami gently touches the shoulder of one of the nurses, who barely spares her a glance.
NURSE
(quickly)
Wait your turn, everyone's hurting here, lady.
SHII
Come on, Makami.
They emerge to a landing that feels like fresh air at last.
SHII
I know you want to help, and I know how bad it feels to be unable to help.
MAKAMI
But chin up and move forward?
Shii looks towards her with old pain in his eyes.
SHII
If you know how to flip that switch, can you teach me?
She smiles at him.
MAKAMI
I could barely sleep last night from the screams. You don't think it was the Fire Nation, do you?
The sage stops them and turns her towards the sky where the clouds are still vacant from the circular blast radius.
SHII
Let the sky tell you. What can you see?
Makami cocks her head for a second as she shades her eyes, looking into the foreground.
Now around, we see her pointing finger tracing down towards the east - away from the Fire Nation.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
The blast is angled towards the west, meaning is blasted-off from the east.
Around to Shii, she looks shocked even as he nods in pride.
MAKAMI
It was the Earth Kingdom?
SHII
Most likely, very good.
They begin to walk again with Makami still puzzling.
MAKAMI
It must've been a high-orbit test.
SHII
Yes, and likely has everyone even further on edge this morning.
Makami's face has lost its glow.
MAKAMI
(slowly)
I'm going to have to stop a war, aren't I?
Shii gives her a look of certainty that makes her skin crawl.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
Can I at least have some diplomatic training? I can't just walk into the global arena looking for a blue ribbon on this, right?
SHII
That will come. At this rate, Master Nabendu won't be able to fully train you before we have to move on. There is now a very large clock ticking above us all.
MAKAMI
Yeah, except it's like Vetinari's Clock.
She laughs to herself as they turn towards a door, the sage looking for the punchline.
MAKAMI
It's a...a clock that ticks - never mind.
SHII
Makami, I have full faith that, even if you're not ready to negotiate with President Inca, you can at the very least confuse her with your, um, knowledge.
Makami gives Shii a death glare while he chuckles into his sleeve. She slowly opens the door, letting it squeak loud enough to crack his teeth.
INT. WATER BENDING TRAINING FACILITY - CONTINUOUS
The two of them are now inside a wide gym with several other benders, most of them training in synchronous movements on the glossy floor. They calmly descend the stairs as the view pans over water benders doing sit-ups in and out of ice baths, push-ups with blocks of ice on their back, and lounging in very warm baths, taking a nap. Most of them have piles of soldiers' gear close-by.
Nabendu has himself up in a pair of rings, descended all the way down with his legs outstretched and curled up to his midsection - a very difficult move. Makami and Shii walk up just as he drops with a backflip.
MAKAMI
(bowing)
Master, I am here for my first lessons.
NABENDU
Great, lesson one - lose the warm-wear. You're going to sweat those bangs of yours off if you don't.
She unzips her front to reveal a red tank top. Shii takes the jacket and backs away.
NABENDU (O.S.)
Lesson two - you will stop calling me Master, or I'll bend your face backwards, got it?
MAKAMI
Yes Ma-er-Abe.
NABENDU
Well done, quick learner. Now, splash me with some water, I'm hot.
She eyes a bucket of water and slides down into a rigid stance. Her arms whip up with her wrists, but the water simply orbits her like a stuck moon. She tries again and again with the water moving quickly enough to send some droplets out of orbit.
NABENDU
Just like I thought - stop. Don't embarrass yourself.
He takes the water from her orbit and slides it back into the bucket before grabbing her shoulders.
NABENDU
You are a ball of energy that refuses to let go. Water bending is about letting energy flow through your body, girl.
MAKAMI
But...
NABENDU
Go on.
MAKAMI
I've held back my bending since I...um, look, I've burned down some things.
NABENDU
Anything impressive?
MAKAMI
My childhood home?
Shii slides in with a curious expression while Nabendu struggles to hold his laughter.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
It was empty and abandoned - a tinder box, really. I hadn't had any training and-
NABENDU
(seriously)
Wait, wait, wait, you've had NO training?
MAKAMI
I mean, who even trains anymore?
NABENDU
Me, for three straight years, then three more years of Rubber Land Bounce Leader training.
He lifts his arm to show four and a half tires tattoos.
NABENDU
I'm almost a five-tier skipper.
MAKAMI
Well, goody. It's not like I don't get the science behind bending - I've read every book there is.
He turns to Shii while pointing towards Makami, but Shii is looking off-screen left.
NABENDU
(to Shii)
Did you know about this?
The view has changed to show a tall bottle of alcohol next to a sleeping man's wooden bathtub. Shii is sweating in the background looking at it.
NABENDU
Hello, come back, old man.
SHII
Hm? Oh, I-I have to go.
Shii speedily walks out a back entrance with her jacket. Makami looks after him with concern while Nabendu slaps his forehead.
NABENDU
(softly)
Alright, you're going to be tougher than I thought.
The two meet eyes.
NABENDU
I'm going to have to test you to see what we're working with here.
MAKAMI
With a duel...?
Nabendu whistles, turning the entire gym's worth of benders towards the two of them. Makami is frozen.
NABENDU
(loudly)
This Fire nation-faithful just said that she can take anyone in this gym. She said that Water Nation soldiers are too low tide to ever take her on.
The crowd grumbles with the heat of hatred rising quickly. She takes a slow step backwards.
NABENDU
(loudly)
Who's first?
All of them jump at once with her covering her face with her forearms in terror.