EXT. OPEN AIR PLANE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN - NIGHT
A rumbling ship chugs through the air slowly with massive, waving arms shown just for aesthetics - like a steam engine and a clown's rowboat had a child. What really pushes the beast forward are the many thrusters in the back that sputter the craft forward like a slow rocket. The bottom looks like the belly of a blue whale.
On the bridge, we see Southern Metropolis elite rubbing shoulders in very thick jackets. A wait staff, clad in short-shorts and skates like drive-in waiters, hand out bubbly drinks.
Towards the back of the observation deck are Makami and her crew. She stands next to Kota, who is shivering in place so hard her knees knock together, her teeth chatter, and her blown-back hair is frozen in place.
Makami puffs small fireballs from her mouth while holding fire closer to Kota.
Shii slides close with Nabendu, a small torch in their bundled hands. Toyo cuddles his own torso behind them.
NABENDU
(to Kota)
Didn't you pack a warmer jacket?
Makami huffs fire towards Nabendu.
KOTA
(shivering)
P-P-Push hi-him off-f-f-f!
MAKAMI
(sarcastically)
I'll do that.
She turns towards Toyo on her other side, who peruses a map with furry cuffs around his forehead, neck, and arms in lieu of sleeves. Kota moves wherever the flame goes.
MAKAMI
(to Toyo)
Why exactly did you book us on a red-eye on an open-air bus?
TOYO
This is the Cruise of The Balanced Spirit - one of the most prestigious events one can be invited to in the Water Nation.
He ruffles the map.
TOYO
And it was the last, quickest way to the Earth Kingdom.
MAKAMI
(grumpily)
I wanted to use the underwater tunnel.
TOYO
Perhaps during your long and prosperous career as the Avatar, you can stop some fish crimes.
Her eyes turn to a focused pain.
MAKAMI
Don't tell me: you think that'll be the peak of my career, right?
TOYO
Hm? Oh, no, Makami, I'm just tired from, you know, leading you around, teaching you, protecting you - small things.
MAKAMI
(angrier)
What-when have you done literally any of that?
Her finger is on point as it passes around the airship to Shii first, who is taking down a full saki-sized bottle.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
Shii has protected me despite his many issues.
To Nabendu now, who is schmoozing with a group of older ladies.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
Abe has been the one training me between his social growth.
To Kota, who is huddled around a dying flame with wide, desperate eyes.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
And my best friend has kicked the most butt with her current severe lack of feeling in her arms!
The flame jumps up high, much to Kota's desperate joy.
Her finger swings back around to Toyo's playful face.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
Meanwhile, you have been out gallivanting across the snowcaps making snow forts for all I know.
TOYO
I have been lifting in the background. Do you think tickets to this flight just come out of nowhere?
MAKAMI
(darkly sarcastic)
Oh yeah, you must've been hard at work...
She leans closer and narrows her eyes.
MAKAMI
(darkly sarcastic)
Especially with this last-minute flight and awful accommodations.
She finally drops her finger, but not her scowl. Toyo's mask is starting to slip from pleasant to worried.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
You can not believe in me and do the bare minimum from afar once we land. Your services, for what they are, will no longer be required.
She turns away just as Toyo's face turns to confusion. He follows her after a moment.
TOYO
Wait, wait, Makami.
He swings around to her front.
TOYO
(chuckling nervously)
Makami - Avatar Makami, I have been working behind the scenes to further our cause. Just...not in ways that that you can hold. Which you must understand! You did just come back from the land of spirits...?
She snatches a giant fruit tart with spiked orange spines from a silver tray.
TOYO
You...you wouldn't want to change the team chemistry when we're so close to war, would you?
From another tray of a skating waiter, Makami snatches a pair of long tongs and a towel.
MAKAMI
You know, during that Spirit World trip, I ran into some very wise people that told me something prescient.
Toyo taps his fingers together at her side with an uneven smile.
TOYO
(nervously)
And that word means...ma'am?
Makami wraps the towel around the tongs.
MAKAMI
(dispassionately)
Something having to do with the current situation.
She's lit the towel like a torch and jams it into the ground in front of Kota, who is now covered in ice and snow, resembling Jack Torrance from the end of The Shining.
Makami stands and walks away with Toyo still close.
MAKAMI
They said that the world is always at war. Taking that to heart, the "chemistry of the team" would always be affected. Ipso facto, you're leaving when we land.
TOYO
(meekly)
And that phrase...?
She rolls her eyes, gently taking Shii's sleeve, pulling him back through the scene. Toyo's mental wheels are grinding like Kota's teeth.
MAKAMI
C'mon, Shii. We need to talk strategy.
The bender nods sloppily with the bottle slipping from his hand.
SHII
(slurring)
I am ready - hic - to stramegrize.
Toyo grabs Nabendu as he walks backwards, blowing kisses to his admirers.
NABENDU
Thank you for the pie recipe, ladies.
TOYO
Abe, you have to help me with Makami. She's trying to usurp me and-
NABENDU
(playfully)
Usurp? Look at you with the vocabulary words.
TOYO
I need to be around to teach and protect her.
Nabendu calmly removes his friend's hand from his arm.
NABENDU
It sounds like you want to be around her for you.
He begins to walk backwards towards the huddled group in the back.
NABENDU
We'll grab a drink on land before you go.
Toyo looks distressed for the first real time while the others gather in the back around the fire.
CUT TO:
INT. FIRE NATION ABMASSADOR QUARTERS - NIGHT
While Adachi attempts in vain to sleep on the table above the rock-hard pillows, the front door resounds with a harsh knock.
ALRUND (O.S.)
Commandant? I'm sorry for waking you...
He is up in a heartbeat, revealing his red-poof-frilled pajamas, offset greatly by his glowing fists.
ALRUND (O.S.)
...but we found your grandson.
ADACHI
(loudly)
Enter.
On cue, the door bursts open with Alrund tossing a beaten-up Voso onto the tile floor. He grunts harshly. Adachi doesn't flinch as Alrund snaps into her own practiced stance.
ALRUND
Security found him sneaking around a back entrance to the Presidential Milk Bar - strictly off-limits. I stopped their barbaric punishment as soon as I arrived.
ADACHI
Did you? Voso?
The boy is able to push himself off the ground and look up to his grandfather.
ADACHI
Is this true?
He winces against the pressure at the back of his head.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
Lie to him.
VOSO
(forcing)
Yes, sir. I was lost.
ALRUND
That's what he told my men as well. Perhaps it's best if we keep this as...a private lesson between our parties. With so much riding on the next few days...
Adachi's eyes narrow as Alrund gives only a slight smirk.
ALRUND
I wouldn't want anything to upset the Avatar when she arrives.
ADACHI
I understand. Thank you for finding him.
Alrund bows respectfully while exiting. Voso is almost back to his feet while Adachi hasn't moved. The boy wipes at his face with his spirit friends flying him a towel.
He takes it and pats several of them on the head.
VOSO
(softly)
Thank you, guys.
Adachi clears his throat.
ADACHI
(quiet anger)
Now? Of all times and places, you chose now to be caught?
VOSO
(quickly)
No, sir, I saw what they are truly building. There are rows and rows of missiles with green rods going inside. They have mechanized robots that can fire the weapons too. I couldn't count it all, but it's enough to destroy Capital City.
ADACHI
(fuming)
Where?
VOSO
In the tunnels beneath the city. The entrance I used will be gone by time we go back.
ADACHI
(fuming)
We're not going back. This changes nothing - don't you see that?
He steps closer to the confused Voso.
ADACHI
(quickly)
I asked you to find me something I can use for leverage, not something we already know they have.
VOSO
We know but the rest of the world doesn't. We could leak it to the other nations and have them come together to put more pressure on the President. That could give us time to get Makami out of harm-
Adachi pushes forward and takes his grandson off his feet. One hand covers the boy's shocked mouth while the other pushes through his small chest. Vosos's back slams against the wall, clattering a sconce to the ground.
ADACHI
(harsh whisper)
Have you lost your wits completely? You do not speak the Avatar's name here - do NOT give them any indication that we know her at all! We don't have time to play your silly back-alley game of whispers! I need solutions to save our entire nation, do you understand that!?
Voso maintains a harsh stare, even though his eyes are on the verge of tears. He finally nods and blinks.
ADACHI
(harsh whisper)
Now go out and do not come back until you have something for me!
Adachi releases him roughly with the hand indentation still around his mouth. Voso speedily walks out, leaving Adachi to stare at a wall until the door slams off screen.
EXT. AMBASSADOR ROW - CONTINUOUS
Voso wipes harshly at his cheeks and takes a deep breath in the night. He picks up speed, approaching a barrel of water. His head splashes beneath the surface where the sounds of the night are gone.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
You could've stopped him. With your power, you could stop anyone.
The splash is harsh against his ears as he comes back out, letting his hair drip the water against his rippling reflection.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
Why do you hide it?
The streams of water begin to slow.
VOSO
(whispering)
Who are you? One of the spirits?
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
No, I've just found you from over a great distance. Even so, I have watched your spirit wither from misuse. Your gift could help millions of lives.
He is using the towel, wrapping his face.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
Isn't that worth overcoming your fear? Isn't that worth unleashing your ability?
VOSO
(muffled)
Stop talking for a moment.
He removes the towel with his face reset.
VOSO
I think there might be a way for me to use my other talent.
CUT TO:
EXT. GOALING LANDING STRIP - NIGHT
Makami hugs Kota tightly as they walk away from the air field. Shii is behind them with the map turning in his confused, fumbling hands.
MAKAMI
Hug time!
KOTA
Oh, how time flies...
Bringing up the rear are Nabendu and Toyo, he looking lost all around while Nabendu has an anxious smirk.
TOYO
(disbelieving)
There has to be a way to gain her favor again.
NABENDU
(anxiously)
Hey, it looks like we're leaving immediately, so we'll have to catch that drink some other time.
TOYO
Wait!
Nabendu dodges his grabbing hands and jogs to catch up with the others. Toyo looks after them in shock.
His eyes catch a payphone attached to a group of bathrooms. He comes up to it with his hands riffling through his pockets for change.
As he approaches, his feet make loud suction noises as they come off the sticky ground.
TOYO
(grumbling)
Oh come on...
He eventually has to use the strength of his arms to pull his every step free. A flushing toilet echoes from one of the open bathroom doors as he comes closer. He quickly snatches the receiver.
TOYO
(grumbling)
Ughhh, so sticky in my hand...suck it up!
The coins fall into the slot as people go in and out of the restroom behind him. His feet smack as he moves to be as close to the wall as possible.
Someone finally picks up on the other side.
TOYO
It's me. I've...I've fallen out of favor with the Avatar and-
He waits as someone pushes past his shoulder.
TOYO
Goaling Landing. Are you recalling me?
A child in a stroller throws an aluminum can against his head from its stroller.
TOYO
Well, I don't quite know how to do that. She is quite smart and stubborn.
He straightens up, looking disturbed by whatever it is he's hearing.
TOYO
No, of course not. I'm...I'll get it done. I'll find a way. I'll push the envelope...hello?
He hangs up the receiver, but his hand is stuck, as is one of his shoes. He pulls on them both to no avail, finally hanging on his shoulder joint and dangling like a dead puppet.
Someone walks by and drops a copper ban at his feet as though he was homeless.
TOYO
(mumbling)
Thank you for your patronage.
CUT TO:
INT. EARTH KINGDOM GUARD STATION - NIGHT
The station is manned by three earth soldiers that watch in every direction over the wide courtyard before one of the many entrances into the presidential estate.
Walking from the night is Voso with his hands clearly out to his side. The guard spots him from the open window in the outpost, pointing him out.
GUARD 1
(shouting)
HALT!
Voso obeys.
GUARD 1
(loudly)
State your business!
VOSO
(loudly)
I wish to defect from the Fire Nation.
Moving in on Voso's bruised face, he looks both serious and conflicted about this shocking betrayal.