INT. WATER BENDING TRAINING FACILITY
A group of three synchronized girls are slashing and cheering like cheerleaders towards Makami, backing the Avatar into a wall with swinging blades of ice.
Makami uses a general gust of air to send them flying backwards into a crowd, knocking out five or six others for the time being.
Another trio of benders swing sharp water slices towards Makami, causing her to duck and swiftly sidle from side to side. A few return fireballs are doused quickly, much to Nabendu's disappointment in the background.
NABENDU
(loudly)
Stop holding back!
Around to Makami now, she is using a pair of small flame shields to redirect the attacks.
NABENDU (O.S.)
(loudly)
What are you waiting for?
CUT TO:
EXT. WATER BENDING TRAINING FACILITY
An old, shaking hand is all that we see for a moment before the other hand comes over to steady it.
The view is now of Shii, leaning himself hard against the wall of the gym. He is practically heaving with his hands hugging his shaking torso.
SHII
(mumbling)
Come on. Please pass.
Closer to him now, we see his eyes wide and his teeth gritting hard.
SHII
(mumbling quickly)
I am the leaf - be the leaf. I am the leaf - be the leaf. I am the leaf - be the leaf.
Crashing out from the gym, flying over his head, is one of the benders. The ice and stone tumble against the opposite wall as the young man falls down, groaning into the pile.
Shii claws his way up to look in through the hole in the wall, his eyes turning to surprise as he peers inside.
PAN TO:
INT. WATER BENDING TRAINING FACILITY
Makami has changed her demeanor greatly, having shifted into survival mode. Using flames beneath her feet, she glides along the floor, slipping beneath swings with deep limbo bends before bringing her empowered fist up with a blast of air.
A wall of flame comes from her hand to melt the ice over one corner, splashing down upon three surprised benders.
Finally, a blast of water pushes her off her feet backwards.
She recovers before facing her enemy - a huge man with a block of ice in his massive hands. He squeezes it, crushing the ice immediately.
MAKAMI
(nervously)
Oh, well, okay then.
The big lug claps his hands together, sending a trident of ice towards Makami. She falls to her knees and bends backwards, letting the trident pass in open air. From her upside-down position, she sees Shii gawking but has no time to process it as she rolls out of the way of an icy hammer.
Back on her feet, she is airborne with flame, sending blasts that are shielded against by the lug's other hand.
He swings again, missing her wildly but bringing with the hammer a wave of water she wasn't expecting. She is splashed to the ground and frozen in place. Before she can react, the hammer is coming down to end her.
Just then, the ice glows as Forneus comes from her skin to block the hammer strike with determination.
Looking over to Shii, he climbs in through the hole only to be gently stopped by Nabendu.
NABENDU
Hold on - let's see what she's got, huh?
Shii pushes the young man aside, still taking deep breaths as he desperately moves to help. His arms wind up a column of heavy air to push the large man off-balance and into the far wall.
Makami crashes out of the ice prison with fire steaming her skin. She pauses to smile at her spirit friend.
MAKAMI
Thanks, buddy.
She hops back into the air and lets her flame go with both fists out. Her momentum slams into the back of the behemoth's knee, taking him down even further. She then blasts a huge thrust out of her hands to stop herself before slamming a fireball from her feet into the man's face and head.
As she tumbles on the ground, he falls backwards with a grunt.
Makami recovers with a smile and sweat running down her brow.
NABENDU (O.S.)
Now THAT was some home-spun bending. Right, Sage?
Makami looks over to see Shii - pale and spaced - shaking on his knees.
MAKAMI
Shii?
He collapses down, thankfully caught by Nabendu. Makami rushes over as well.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
Keep his head elevated above his heart, check his pulse, and help me move him to the cots in the alley.
Nabendu looks up with a cocked eyebrow.
MAKAMI
(forcefully)
Now!
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL MEETING ROOM - EARLY AFTERNOON
The ambassadors are looking in shambles with the exception of Adachi. The Republic City ambassador - an older, familiar man with short, grey hair - squirms in his seat while Khonsu is melted into the sandy table. The empty chair next to Voso is conspicuous on the right.
PRESIDENT INCA (O.S.)
To which we believe the usage of spoons to shoot over the moon will cause the...
Adachi looks to Voso, who is nodding off himself, and gives him a gentle elbow. Voso looks down at the note between them, reading "Information". The note bursts into ashes.
Voso leans back slightly, looking down at his lap. The shot pans down as a spirit comes out of his shoe, saluting up to him before jumping into the floor like a pool.
INT. PRESIDENTIAL PERSONAL CHAMBERS - CONTINUOUS
The small spirit - a yellow blob with pink flowers twisting out of its head like antenna - slides onto a banister. He rolls away.
INT. PRESIDENTIAL BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
The little creature slides down the tile wall of the grand bathtub. He rolls up the other side, pushing past several rubber duckies in a pyramid.
He rolls along the ground, coming across a splash of light from behind a wall. He turns and squeezes beneath the hidden door's frame behind the sink.
INT. CREEPY STONE BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS
Looking at an empty elevator shaft, the yellow blob splashes down with a tiny "weeee!" After the splash, he pulls himself together and rolls down a few steps.
Looking from the side now, he rolls by a red laser that comes from a device on the wall. The device begins to silently blink.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL MEETING ROOM
Looking at Alrund's wrist, a red light blinks at the bottom of the clock's face. She notices the light and begins to stand.
PRESIDENT INCA (O.S.)
Now, the cream should never be beaten too roughly, just gently folded.
ALRUND
(loudly)
And we will break there.
Alrund is up to take Inca's hand gently while smiling and bowing back towards the patient ambassadors. The Republic City ambassador, now revealed as MAKO (80) from Avatar Korra's time, raises his hand.
ALRUND
Yes?
MAKO
Where is that tea, and can I go to the restroom?
ALRUND
Just a few more minutes, and of course. Down the left hall, fifteenth door on the left.
Alrund and Inca have turned with the advisor's face turning grim.
ALRUND
(whispering)
We have an intruder.
CUT TO:
EXT. WATER METROPOLIS - AFTERNOON
A water bending nurse carefully runs glowing water over Shii's torso. His face is still sweating with his eyes half open and his breath raspy. The Avatar watches over him with Kota from the background, the two holding stacks of rags.
NURSE 2
Rag here.
Makami gives the nurse one quickly, covering a sleeping little girl's eyes.
KOTA
(whispering)
How's he doing?
MAKAMI
(whispering)
The nurse doesn't look happy.
Nabendu sways down with pails of water hanging from his shoulders. He is mobbed by blushing, giggling nurses.
NABENDU
Well, yes, that story is true. Except I only had to use one hand to take down the polar rhino.
The women swoon and fan their faces in unison.
KOTA
(to Makami)
That settles it - that guy's a jerk.
MAKAMI
What? How?
KOTA
C'mon, Ami, look at him. I've seen fishermen with fewer lines in the water.
A hand comes up that Kota fills with a towel.
KOTA
You remember that guy from study hall that always had women swarming around him?
MAKAMI
(absently)
Andras the Armpit.
KOTA
Yes! And he turned out to be the biggest jerk of all time. You should've Avatar-blasted that guy out the window.
Another hand comes from off-panel. Makami fills it with a soft towel this time.
MAKAMI
With how clumsily I bend, I might've sent him to the sun by mistake.
KOTA
You aren't bothered by what Toyo said, are you?
MAKAMI
What, you mean that he didn't believe in me? No, why would that bother someone with confidence issues that freezes unless her life is literally in danger?
Kota throws a rag around Makami's shoulder.
KOTA
C'mon, forget that guy.
MAKAMI
I can't just forget. We all travel together. Every time I look at his face, I'll see "wow what a failure this girl is' in his eyes.
KOTA
What I mean is it's his problem, not yours. I believe in you, Ami. So does Voso and Shii, and even the jerk. That's an A-plus in my book.
MAKAMI
Actually, it's an eighty-percent.
The nurse that was helping Shii is coming between them with a forced smile.
NURSE 3
He's awake and asking for you.
Kota takes Makami's towels before she quickly moves up the alley's slope to Nabendu, who is giving a ladle of water to Shii.
NABENDU
She's on her way over now. Toyo went off to get some pillows for your bed.
SHII
(roughly)
How kind of him.
MAKAMI
(to Shii)
Are you okay?
Shii coughs roughly with his hand lightly tapping against her shoulder.
SHII
(coughing)
I *cough* just need to rest.
As he groans down to the cot, Makami dabs a towel across his forehead and face under Nabendu's watch. They stand after that with the towel over his eyes.
NABENDU
(to Makami)
Your father's lucky to have you.
MAKAMI
(walking away)
He's not my father.
Nabendu takes a moment, then follows after her off-screen.
NABENDU (O.S.)
An uncle?
The view changes to show them walking up the hill.
MAKAMI
Let me save you the trouble - I'm not related to him.
NABENDU
A dear friend of many years?
MAKAMI
Almost three weeks.
NABENDU
(chuckling)
So you just have an endless level of kindness in your heart? Must be an Avatar thing.
She turns and quickly brings an angry finger beneath his chin.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
It's not an Avatar thing, it's a Makami thing, and I don't think I should need endless kindness to help the one stranger that's supported me from collapsing into a coughing heap.
She walks on alone while Nabendu stands around, scratching his head in full realization that he messed up.
NABENDU
(apologetic)
I meant it as a compliment!
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL BASEMENT
The elevator car slams down into a cloud of dust, opening to Inca and Alrund's flashlights scanning the ground.
ALRUND
This was the tripped alarm.
INCA
These scratch marks don't look like footprints. Could be a cat-rat dragging its belly.
ALRUND
We still need to check the lab.
INCA
I'd rather talk about your faulty intel.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL MEETING ROOM
Next to Voso's ear now, he can hear through his spiritual friend. Adachi is watching Voso's face from the middle ground with Khonsu asleep in the background.
INCA (O.S.)
(warbled)
That Adachi is still awake and alert. All this torture and presenting was meant to wear him down before the negotiations.
The Republic City ambassador slaps Adachi's shoulder in a friendly manner, drawing him up from his chair.
MAKO (O.S.)
I don't believe we've met yet?
The angle is up to show Adachi breaking the slightest, courteous smirk towards Mako. The old ambassador has a mixture of grey and white hair along his head, shaped immaculately as to match Adachi's accuracy. He has a casual smile with steely eyes.
MAKO
Ambassador Mako from Republic City. You're Admiral Adachi?
ADACHI
Commandant, actually.
MAKO
Ah, my apologies. I read about you in the paper the other day and they had 'Admiral'.
There is a beat of awkward, unrelenting silence.
MAKO
Must've...been a misprint.
ADACHI
Indeed.
Khonsu shoots up from the table between them.
KHONSU
(shouting)
NO MORE MONGOOSES!
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL BASEMENT
The little ball of goo is wrapped tightly behind a cabinet as a flashlight passes over from the far end of the room.
ALRUND
With all do respect, Madame President, my intelligence has gotten us closer than the air benders have.
Close to the sisters now, Inca checks the ceiling while Alrund looks angrily towards her.
ALRUND
If we'd followed their stall tactics, we wouldn't have the world in your halls. Yet, you deem it necessary to pay them an exorbitant fee -
Inca recoils and screams, pointing up.
INCA
(loudly)
BAT-WASP!
Sure enough, there is a creature with the wings, ears, and fangs of a bat with the stinger and thorax of a buzzing wasp. It is crawling around, paying them no mind.
INCA (O.S.)
(quickly)
GET IT GET IT GET IT GET IT!
Alrund sighs, casually pulling one of the bricks of the ceiling out to a deadly squishing sound off-screen. Inca recovers herself slowly, straightening her minimalist outfit.
ALRUND
We still have the other chip we can play.
INCA
We'll upset Paya and his master if we do.
ALRUND
What are they going to do? We're the client, and what we want are the best results possible.
Inca clicks off her flashlight, looking around in the dark. There are flasks and webs everywhere in the abandoned laboratory.
INCA
This is where it started - all the curiosity. All the microscopic pieces moving into motion. These scientists took their time, and the results have us on top of the world, sister.
Alrund softens slightly while Inca begins to walk back towards the elevator shaft.
INCA
We will follow suit. And it will yield results.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL MEETING ROOM
Voso's eyes open and he looks up towards his grandfather, who is making awkward chit-chat with Mako.
MAKO
I've often found that the perfect temperature is the one not too hot nor too cold.
ADACHI
Hrm.
Voso slinks in from the left.
VOSO
May I speak with you, Commandant?
ADACHI
Of course.
He gently bows to Mako before turning away and following his grandson. They stop a few steps later.
VOSO
(whispering)
They've been trying to tire you out before the negotiations later. This is meant to go on for hours.
ADACHI
(whispering)
With those refreshments always a "few minutes away" I'm sure.
VOSO
(whispering)
There was that air master's name - Paya. He's more important than we thought.
ADACHI
(whispering)
Is he here?
VOSO
(whispering)
I don't think so, but if he arrives, he could slow this entire process down even more.
Adachi looks around for a moment before straightening and turning to the rest of the group.
ADACHI
(loudly)
Ambassadors - I wonder if I might have the room with the President and her advisor when they return?
Khonsu slowly sits up with a sliver of drool slurping back into his mouth.
ADACHI
(loudly)
As you have undoubtedly heard, our two nations have some tensions that I would like to take this time to rectify.
Khonsu shrugs his way to his feet as Mako begins to shuffle away as well. Adachi sees them out with a smile and a slight bow. Voso mirrors him.
ADACHI
Thank you all - I'll send briefings of any needed information to you all.
He turns to Voso and his guards.
ADACHI
You all as well. Take my grandson back to our quarters. I'll be there soon.
The boy looks up with disappointment. Even so, he bows slightly and moves towards the exit.
Adachi turns just as Inca and Alrund re-enter the room.
ADACHI
(loudly)
Madame President. The ambassadors send their apologies.
Adachi's leather boot heels click loudly in the quiet room.
ADACHI
(loudly)
I thought we could take this opportunity to iron out these differences of ours.
Inca and Alrund look down angrily to the sitting man, his impudence prickling against their skin.
ADACHI
Shall we?
CUT TO:
EXT. SOUTHERN METROPOLIS HOUSING - SNOWING
Nabendu uses his bending to pack falling snow into bricks that stack into a sculpture reading 'No Avatars Inside'. The snow is thick and slow as it falls. His flow takes him by an open window where Kota leans out, but she swiftly slams the shutters closed on him.
NABENDU
(mumbling)
Making friends.
CUT TO:
INT. SOUTHERN METROPOLIS HOUSING
Makami unevenly swirls a pot of soup, bringing the calming whistle of multiple maelstroms into the room. Shii rests beside her with a spoonful of soup coming to his lips. There is a warm fire in the middle of the room with Kota on the other side of it, flipping over cards.
SHII
(cracking)
What is this soup?
KOTA
Don't like it?
SHII
It's familiar to me. Is that...camden root?
KOTA
Heck yeah it is. My dad used to put that little weed in everything. My mom was a whiz with tasty things from the ground.
MAKAMI
(chortling)
Yeah, even got my mom a few recipes. First time we met the Capital City fire department, and the first dinner Zura ever hated all in one.
SHII
It reminds me of a dish my wife used to make.
KOTA
Whoa, you're married, Shii?
Kota visibly recoils.
KOTA
(sadly)
Oh, I bet she's...I'm sorry.
Shii waves his hand while handing Makami his empty soup bowl. He readjusts to sit further up the wall, pointing to her.
SHII
(gruffly)
She was from my first life, before I was a sage. Makami, do you have that locket?
She brings it to his hand, opening to the picture. Kota puts her cards down and comes over to look. Shii has an air of energy and happiness.
SHII
This is one of the last picture I have of that life.
Around now, we see the photograph. In the middle is AVATAR KORRA (40) looking strong and hoisting up several air bending children. To the left of her is a grumpy-looking air bender being leaned on by JINORA (32). Next to Jinora is KAI (33) - a lanky, tan boy holding hands with her.
On the right are baby bison flying around and trying to climb the laughing children. Everyone looks positively radiant against the air temple background. Shii's finger slides over the scene.
SHII (O.S.)
I was a part of the Air Nation when it was first reborn. This is me.
KOTA (O.S.)
Let me guess...troublemaker?
The view turns back with Kota slyly smiling towards the old sage as he sheepishly rubs the tips of his pointer fingers together.
SHII
(slowly)
I was...um, reformed, yes. Quite reformed.
MAKAMI
This one on the left is your wife?
SHII
Yes. Jinora.
KOTA
(slyly)
Any of these little air saplings yours there, sage-y boy?
SHII
(laughing)
No, no, we had our fill of children. We wanted to protect the world, keep our people safe as we slowly grew. Children are awful little leeches.
He excitedly taps in the middle of the picture.
SHII
Can you guess who that is?
Kota leans closer, rubbing at her chin.
KOTA
(mumbling)
She does look vaguely familiar.
Shii looks up to Makami, seeing her eyes transfixed and wide as though she was the first person in the world to see the edge of the universe.
SHII
You know, don't you Makami?
MAKAMI
(quietly)
She's me. She's Avatar-
The door suddenly shoots open from Nabendu, who lets out an awkward, loud shiver.
NABENDU
(loudly)
Ugh, this cold! Every now and then, it clips to your bones!
Shii gives Makami the photograph as Kota sits up, rolling her eyes.
NABENDU (O.S.)
Soup still good?
KOTA
(dryly)
I'm charging you by the bowl.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL MEETING ROOM
Adachi is in command at the table with Inca and Alrund shaken.
ADACHI
Your problems with the Fire Nation expansion are noted. If you are willing to put an armistice on the table, I believe-
ALRUND
(scoffing)
An armistice?
ADACHI
After your show of power last night, I must insist.
INCA
You cannot be proposing that we handshake-away our most powerful weapon.
Adachi doesn't miss a beat.
ADACHI
Our two nations have grown on opposite branches of the same tree. Your greatest power may be your arsenal, and ours may be our navy. I am offering to remove several potential naval bases, close two already existing ones, and put in writing a guarantee that we will never build a weapon like the one you have demonstrated.
Inca's eyes subtly widen as what Adachi is asking for becomes more and more tempting. Alrund watches Adachi's face with caged, but growing, frustration.
ADACHI (O.S.)
We will install a ceiling on the power any one nation can have. The alternative is a war more deadly than any other in history.
ALRUND
(dismissively)
Typical. Now that we have the power, he wants caps.
INCA
Deal.
Alrund looks shocked as Inca stands.
ALRUND
(surprised)
Madame President!
Adachi rises slowly without an ounce of glee on his features.
INCA
Bring it to your Lord for approval, then we will make an event of it.
ADACHI
Our peoples will praise this moment for centuries, Madame President.
Inca turns and begins to walk away with a shocked Alrund on her hip. Suddenly, she stops.
INCA
Although...
She spins back to a wary Adachi.
INCA
Forgive me, but I've heard a double-edged rumor. That the Avatar has returned - a young lady no-less. Quite good news indeed...except, by my calculations, she should be the Earth Kingdom's representative, should she not?
Adachi's face begins to tighten.
INCA
Water, Earth, Fire, Air, if I recall correctly. You wouldn't be trying to rob the great Earth Kingdom of its Avatar for a cycle, now would you?
ADACHI
Of course not.
INCA
No, of course not. Then, you won't mind if she renounces her citizenship to the Fire Nation and represents the Earth Kingdom instead?
Adachi is doing what he can to stay calm while Alrund just watches her devious sister work.
ADACHI
That would be highly irregular-
INCA
(quickly)
Well too bad. Bring me the Avatar with her pledge to join the Earth Kingdom in writing, or there will be no armistice.
Inca and Alrund strut away with Adachi looking bitter in the background. Inca doesn't look much happier, her eyes veined and her shoulders visibly tense.
INCA
(whispering)
Get Paya down here. Now.
CUT TO:
INT. SOUTHERN METROPOLIS HOUSING - NIGHT
Shii and Kota are already asleep deeper into the house with Makami posting herself near the cracked shutter. She has a blanket over her legs, gazing at the photograph with curiosity.
Nabendu is on the ground beneath her, worming his way into a blanket.
NABENDU
I hope Toyo isn't much longer with his little secret assignment.
The silence hangs in the air for a moment as Makami glances towards him and back.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
He's a big bender, I'm sure he's fine.
NABENDU
(quietly)
Sure.
He rolls over and leans up to his elbow, now facing her.
NABENDU
You know, you were at your most decisive when that old breeze-weaver hit the ground. That's why I was surprised earlier. He's basically a stranger and you reacted like he's family.
He rolls back over on his back.
NABENDU
Just impressive, is all. I think there's hope for you yet, and Toyo will see it too.
She turns towards him with a slight smile as he rolls away from her.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Good night, Abe.
He simply growls in response.
She looks back to the photograph again, her eyes squinting as though she is trying to see herself in the strength and happiness on display with Avatar Korra. She finally brings her hand up to the picture, running a finger along the touching of hands between Jinora and Kai. Then, she rubs along the face of Korra.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Avatar Korra.
Suddenly, white light shoots from her eyes and her back becomes rigid.
The light envelopes the scene.
CUT TO:
EXT. NORTHERN AIR TEMPLE - THE PAST
As the light fades, Makami's body is now a blue and white apparition, braced against the unknown. She steadily relaxes and looks around, seeing sepia-tone grass and crags. As a wind blows through, pushing everything but her, the ethereal feel of the area is unavoidable.
MAKAMI
Where am I?
A bald boy wanders by, picking flowers from amongst the grass. She runs closer to him and reaches for his shoulder.
MAKAMI
(loudly)
Excuse me, kid? Sir, can you-?
Her hand passes right through the shoulder. She pulls it back and backpedals, looking terrified at her predicament.
MAKAMI
(distressed whisper)
What is happening to me!?