INT. VARRICK EXPRESS BILLIARDS ROOM - LATE NIGHT
The posh, fully-metal train bullets through the night with many of its passengers asleep. Those that slumber enjoy soft pillows and reclined seats with moaning springs keeping them in comfort.
Near the back is Kota, swinging in her hammock right next to Makami on one side and Nabendu on the other, who are both asleep and sprawled. She is awake and staring up into the ceiling with frustration.
After a massive snore rips into the air from Makami, Kota rolls her eyes and stands, stepping atop Nabendu's shoulder and using his face to keep her balance.
NABENDU
(mumbling)
Don't feed the ducks...
Kota hops down to the ground and stretches her arms above her head while turning her hips. She wanders towards the back of the train compartment.
She's at the bathrooms now where she leans closer to one of the doors to hear coughing from off-screen.
KOTA
(whispering)
Hello? Are you okay?
She cracks open the door to see Shii braced against a metal sink with his hand covering his quieting cough.
KOTA
(quietly)
Shii?
He can't even answer her with his cough still raging. She reaches for him.
KOTA
C'mon, let's get you some fresh air.
She brings him out into the hallway and the two feel their way through the back of the compartment. She opens the loud exterior door for them to slip onto the back balcony.
EXT. VARRICK EXPRESS - CONTINUOUS
Kota wraps a blanket she'd grabbed around her shoulders while Shii holds tight to the rail and takes a few trembling breaths deep into his chest.
The landscape rushing by is filled with crags and quiet villages. They pass some downed railroad crossings that blink with blue and white lights before lifting to let automobiles pass again, all under a partly cloudy night.
He recovers at last, giving her a glance as he places his forehead on his crossed forearms.
SHII
(gravelly)
Thank you for your help. Did I wake you?
KOTA
Hm? No, no, I couldn't sleep through Makami's deadly snores. My girl's finally getting good sleep.
She looks down to him.
KOTA
Guess that water healing didn't take, huh?
SHII
(gravelly)
No.
KOTA
(slowly)
Well, the Earth Kingdom doctors probably got that title for doing something medical. We can stop on the way.
He waves his hand dismissively.
SHII
(recovering)
No, there's no need.
She nods slowly and dubiously. The platform beneath is where we see the name of the train in gold letters: "Lil Chugger".
SHII
Did I ever tell you I met the man that built a lot of the trains on these tracks?
KOTA
Would that be Varrick?
SHII
Yes. One-of-a-kind he was. I helped him save the world a time or two as well.
KOTA
(deadpan)
No kidding.
SHII
(voice rising slightly)
But you know, it was mostly me that took down the tallest colossus the world had ever known.
KOTA
(groaning)
Bruuuuugh!
The view pans low by the sparking wheels where, in the spaces, we see people dressed in black attached to the underside of the train.
Back to Shii and Kota, she looks very bored while he is excitedly moving his hands in the air.
SHII
And the plane was trying to swerve, but our sky bison was one of the best that had ever lived!
From below, one of the shadows crawls up from the bottom unnaturally.
KOTA
(emptily)
Was anyone else in this story?
The humanoid pounces to the hand rail and spins a dangerous kick that Kota manages to block. She and Shii slam into the opposite rail where another humanoid grabs them tightly. Her eyes slam shut while he grabs her shirt.
SHII
(loudly)
Hold on!
He blasts them upwards with a gust of wind, but another humanoid leaps and catches them in the air. Soon, they are swarmed by more and more until they disappear beneath the black mass.
KOTA (O.S.)
(screaming)
Help us!
The ball of androids lands hard on the ground with blasts of steam swirling up a cloud of dust. As it clears, the automatons have created a large collapsing sphere that has the two of them trapped. It begins to roll away in the opposite direction of the rumbling train.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE PRESIDENTIAL INTERROGATION CHAMBER
Alrund watches with narrowed eyes through the glass at Voso's silent mouth movements to the solider in the room. To her left is a second soldier flipping through two pieces of paper.
ALRUND
What's he said so far?
SOLDIER 2
Not much, ma'am. We're still trying to confirm that he is who he says he is.
ALRUND
He is.
She opens the door, letting the other soldier's voice spill out into the hallway.
SOLDIDER 1 (O.S.)
You'll have to give me something before we can honor any-ma'am!
INT. PRESIDENTIAL INTERROGATION CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS
The soldier is up and snapped to attention while Alrund slinks in, holding her gaze on Voso and the door open for the soldier.
ALRUND
(to soldier)
Go.
He nods and power-walks out. She releases the door to let it slowly close.
SOLDIER 1 (O.S.)
She ordered me first!
SOLDIER 2 (O.S.)
So? She ordered me last week!
Alrund rolls her eyes back to Voso while a smirk beams from his lips.
ALRUND
I don't descend into the interrogation rooms often these days. Imagine my surprise to see a familiar face.
VOSO
I want to speak to the President.
ALRUND
You could've made a formal meeting through that clown Adachi. You might've even caught her on the watery wave slide at high noon. Instead, you waltz out of the shadows with hands-up.
She leans forward with the chair cracking in agony beneath her.
ALRUND
Why are you here?
Voso leans forward as well, both of their hands on the table.
VOSO
To speak to the President.
ALRUND
Not to give up information?
VOSO
To give information only to the President.
ALRUND
Based on what you gave me, I wouldn't waste her time.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
Her hand is right there.
Voso's eyes dart down, looking at the mere inches between their fingertips.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
One touch, one command, and this entire ordeal is over. The day could be won.
Voso looks up with a wince.
VOSO
I have new, vital information for the President's ears only.
He pulls his hands back from the table and looks away with disinterest.
VOSO
Go fetch her.
Alrund smirks while spinning her fingers in the air. Small particles of dirt and dust from around the room obey her call, coming together into three separate balls as she speaks.
ALRUND
And what's to stop me from proclaiming your information faulty, writing a report that you attacked me and I had to defend myself?
He glances back to her calmly.
ALRUND
You see how that works? I'm a better bender and politician than you, poochie. You have no way out.
VOSO
It's not me you have to worry about getting out.
He turns his head back to her.
VOSO
You remember my little spirit friends? They're currently down in your little weapon factory taking pictures.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. UNDERGROUND WEAPONS FACTORY
The spirits do have cameras with large circular flashbulbs, but haven't a clue on how to use them. One flashes himself in the face while another drools on the black camera's corner. The rest of them watch as two spirits sprint to one another with the lens caps in hand, clashing together like a lame joust.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL INTERROGATION CHAMBER
He maintains his intense stare.
VOSO
They're going to take those pictures to Republic City, the Water Nation, and the Fire Nation to show what you're really doing here.
Alrund sits back slowly, contemplating her options.
VOSO
How many nations do you want to be at war against? How many other jerks like me do you want to deal with?
ALRUND
(half-heartedly)
Oh, believe you me, before this is over, I'll have dealt with you in spades.
She pushes up from the table angrily and moves to the door. She opens it just a crack before half turning.
ALRUND
The President will be with you when her schedule dictates.
She swings the door open hard enough to get it stuck in the padded wall.
ALRUND (O.S.)
Please retrieve some refreshments for our defector.
SOLDIER 2 (O.S.)
(whispering)
And the poison, ma'am?
ALRUND (O.S.)
(vicious whispering)
FORGET THE POISON!
Voso is shaking as sweat drips down his neck. His face angles down towards the table.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
You're playing a dangerous game.
He closes his eyes and chuckles darkly.
CUT TO:
EXT. GREAT GOALING MEDITATION FIELDS - NIGHT
The night wind does nothing to slow down the rolling mass of androids rumbling along the rocky surface.
CUT TO:
INT. BALL OF ANDROIDS
On the inside, Kota and Shii push against a clear ball that has them gyroscopically stable. Around them stare a macabre collection of red eyes and mechanical limbs.
KOTA
(struggling)
C'mon...!
SHII
(struggling)
Air bending is no use.
KOTA
(panicking)
Air? Do you think there's enough air in here?! Oh no, what if they keep us in here so long that our lungs start to explode-!
The two of them hit the nearest side of the sphere as the rolling stops.
CUT TO:
EXT. GREAT GOALING MEDITATION FIELDS
The ball has stopped seemingly out of nowhere with nothing around for quite some distance. The winds propel a spiritual tumbleweed across the screen, eliciting an excited "wee".
Suddenly, a group of metal clamps emerge from the ground and clamp upon the robots. A door opens beneath the ball and the robots begin to unfold along the bottom.
SHII (O.S.)
Hold on!
KOTA (O.S.)
To what!?
INT UNDERGROUND CAGE - CONTINUOUS
The ball tumbles down the opening and crashes into an open prison cell. Kota and Shii float down thanks to Shii's created air flow inside the clear ball. As the robots begin to fold back up, the ceiling begins to close.
KOTA
(quickly)
No, we have to get up there!
The metal clangs closed above. Small lights on the walls show metal bars for wall on all four sides. The large enclosure has two beds and two covered areas with vague shower shapes behind curtains.
KOTA
What in the world is this?
A squeaking noise echoes into the room from the opening floor, like an old butler's pulley. A silver tray of covered dishes appears next to a button. There is a simple sign with an arrow saying "Push" towards the button. Then, another arrow next to "eat", pointing towards the dishes.
KOTA (O.S.)
Push? How are we going to push anything from inside this stupid marble!?
Kota grabs at her hair, on the verge of hyper-ventilating. Shii watches with concern.
KOTA
(quietly, quickly)
I need out of this ball. I need a wide open field to run in. I have student loans to pay back!
He looks up to a break in the ball's seam.
SHII
(quietly)
It's not air-proof after all.
He smirks while pulling together a small burst of air.
SHII
This reminds me of a terrible time I had getting out of a prison in-
KOTA
(angrily)
No one cares about your stupid stories, alright!? Yeah, you might've been a real snappy bender in your day, but now you're as forceful as a broken table fan!
Shii's hands slow as the disappointment and sadness grow on his face. He pushes the small thread of air through the hole in the seam.
KOTA (O.S.)
We're going to be in here forever!
The air moves with his conjuring fingers closer to the button.
KOTA (O.S.)
Oh wait! We'll only be in here until we suffocate on our own exploded lungs!
The button is pushed and, with a single low puff of air, the sphere is bisected and they're free. Kota immediately drops to her knees and takes in deep breaths through her nose.
KOTA
(calming)
Oh thank you! Oh, free air! Oh...oh?
She sniffs the air, coming towards the covered dish.
KOTA
What smells so good?
She pulls the left cover off and her eyes ignite.
KOTA
(excitedly)
It's all my favorite foods!
On the plate are a cross-stitch of small fish on skewers. Some of them have light panko breading, some look glazed, some are between sandwich bread, some are the sandwich bread to a bunch of pepperoni. It's an odd collection.
KOTA (O.S.)
Fried, candied, pickled, and sandwiched fresh cran-fish! I haven't had it in soooo long!
Shii comes up and takes his dish from the ground as Kota eats where she sits.
KOTA
(mouth filled)
Ugh, take away my pain sweet fish...
Shii sits down and uncovers the dish slowly. There is a cylinder of clear liquid, and a single dessert - a tiramisu with a caramel drip and red dust on top that is in the shape of a heart. His eyes widen and soften for only a moment before anger wells up.
He suddenly jumps to his feet, sending the dish crashing to the floor as he turns to the darkness beyond the bars.
SHII
(screaming)
WHO ARE YOU!? HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT US?!
The silence echoes as Kota pauses her feast. It isn't long before he begins to cough and comes back to his seat. He feels the cylinder of liquid near his feet and scoops it up.
Kota swallows back her fish and keeps eating as he stares into the liquid.
CUT TO:
INT. GAOLING BAR OF DISREPUTABLE ACTIVITIES
This bar with a way-too-long name is barely visible with how dark it is. Some small moonlight splashes across the ground that is meant to light the entire place. We can just make out a bar keep that has their hands out feeling their way across the glasses.
Someone trips over a chair and tumbles to the ground, splashing a drink over another patron. He stands looking menacing.
PATRON 2
(quickly)
I'll teach you about splashing me with - whoa!
He swings so hard that he tumbles over another unseen chair.
A patron comes in through the swinging doors. Everyone flinches away from the flood of light.
ALL TOGETHER
(yelling)
TURN OUT THAT LIGHT!
The would-be patron backs out of the bar.
Now in on the chap laying on the bar itself, Toyo lifts his head and feels clumsily around for his drink. He swings a bit too hard and the glass crashes to the ground.
BARTENDER (O.S.)
Don't worry about it, happens all the time. Want another?
TOYO
(groggily)
No, no. I'd better...skedaddle.
He drops down off his stool on one foot to keep his shoeless foot away from the glass.
CUT TO:
EXT. GAOLING BAR OF DISREPUTABLE ACTIVITIES - NIGHT
The outside of the bar shows very little foot traffic - and a sign that wraps around the building just above the door. The surrounding small village snoozes with dark windows and only a few remaining rickshaw-driven people remaining.
Toyo swings the doors out.
BAR PATRONS (O.S.)
(shouting)
Ah, c'mon!
He, with his one shoe, stumbles around the dirt like normal, patting around to make sure he still had his belongings.
Soon, he comes to a fork in the road and a sign.
TOYO
(mumbling)
Meditation Fields...
He shrugs carelessly and turns to the path.
TOYO
(mumbling)
As good a place as any to keep failing.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL INTERROGATION CHAMBER
Voso looks up with a glint of self-satisfaction as President Inca sits down in very baggy pajamas. She doesn't look happy with a pair of old-lady glasses on her face and green face cream.
What Voso doesn't realize is that this is Alrund is disguised as her sister.
INCA
Well, you've managed to summon the President out of some very good sleep. What's the information?
VOSO
You're Inca?
INCA
In the flesh.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
Can you trust her?
VOSO
What did you say to Master Paya on the phone the day we arrived?
Inca stares at him blankly.
INCA
Look, you've gone through quite a bit of political danger to get this far. Don't let your little adventure fizzle out so close to the end.
VOSO
(sharply)
I don't care about political danger.
He sits up straight in his chair.
VOSO
I can get you schematics for Fire Nation bases, codes for secure doors, and-
INCA
Whoa, whoa, whoa-
VOSO
(loudly)
And the secret bunker locations for Fire Nation elite.
INCA
Look, Voso, what you're promising is not possible to give, no matter who you're related to.
VOSO
I can be your spy in the Fire Nation. I'm very good and have already gathered plenty of information-
INCA
And been caught as Alrund has told me. You don't have a shred of proof in your ability to...
He pulls out a piece of paper from inside his loose shirt and unfolds it. He says nothing at first, just reading and nodding.
VOSO
(mockingly)
Oh boy, this note from Alrund to a General Ciao-Ciao sounds serious. Shall I read it?
He slides it around on the table towards Inca, who comes forward with a smirk.
INCA
A parlor trick, hm?
VOSO
I retrieved that note just this evening when she opened the door to come into this room.
Inca looks up over her glasses.
VOSO
I can get caught, but my methods can't be.
She places the note down with a smirk still plaguing her face.
INCA
Very well, I love a good joke. Tell me some information on the Fire Nation.
VOSO
Not yet. Not until you agree to my terms.
INCA
(chuckling)
Oh the confidence on display - I love it! Fine, shoot for the sun.
VOSO
You're going to go back to the original deal you agreed upon - land, bases, whatever. You're going to leave the Avatar out of this.
INCA
Oh really? And why would you care so very much about the Avatar's freedom?
Inca has the note folded, standing up.
INCA
As I recall, my sister told me of your affinity for the bridge between worlds as well.
VOSO
(weakly)
I love my country.
INCA
Yet here you are selling it up the river.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
Lie better.
VOSO
I believe whatever damage I can do the Avatar can fix.
INCA
You have gotta work on your punchline, my friend.
She leans down on the table with her fists.
INCA
If I can't trust you, how can we work together?
FUU-KI (O.S.)
Don't crumble under her pressure. Prove that you belong in this world.
Voso drops his head and looks around.
VOSO
(sadly)
My grandfather...have you ever heard of the White Lotus?
INCA
Sure - Avatar herders and protectors and what-not.
VOSO
He joined that group when he was young, waiting for the next Avatar to be discovered. When this Avatar came out, he...he was just so happy.
His eyes snap up to hers.
VOSO
Giving away the Avatar would break him. I don't want to ever see him that way, and despite what you may have heard, he runs our nation. So I didn't lie, I just need to protect my grandpa to protect the Fire Nation.
INCA
You love your nation indeed.
She is off the table, standing straight.
INCA
You know, my "he's-going-to-screw-this-up" radar was whispering when I saw you the first time, but I thought it'd be with a pie in the face, or spilling the ink for the treaty pen. Look at how far you've come now...
She lets her back fall against the pane of glass.
INCA
So we sign, you spill what you know, then you're my spy?
VOSO
That's the idea.
She lets her head roll back, grunts once, and bounces off the wall towards the door.
INCA
You've got a deal.
Voso smiles with twinkling eyes. When she turns back towards him, he changes back towards a serious face.
INCA
Now, we wait for the Avatar, hm?
She turns towards the door and his smile returns in force, complete now with fist pumping as she leaves.
CUT TO:
INT. UNDERGROUND CAGE
Kota stands in the middle of the sizable cell looking straight up at whispers of moonlight. Shii is in a bathtub fully clothed with the cylinder of liquid.
KOTA
(screaming)
HEY! SOMEONE! WE'RE STUCK DOWN HERE!
Shii begins to cough.
KOTA
(screaming)
SICK MAN DOWN HERE AND VERY GRUMPY GIRL!
His coughing worsens, drawing her attention.
KOTA
Can we at least get some water for the guy?
She walks over to help him out of the tub.
KOTA
(annoyed)
Come on, get out of there.
He waves her off.
SHII
(ragged)
I'm not coming out! Leave me be.
KOTA
(offended)
Alright, alright, so much for the helpful spirit of the Air Nation, huh?
SHII
(angrily)
I'm not a part of that nation.
KOTA
(sarcastically)
Yeah, I'm sure there's a great story there.
She juts her thumb at the spilled dessert still on the floor with the red heart still somewhat intact.
KOTA
What was the matter with that?
SHII
(raggedly)
It's just someone trying to get into my head. Giving me this aged stuff, and...pushing my buttons!
KOTA
Well, mine was delicious. I don't really know what poison tastes like, but if it tastes that good, I'm a dead woman eventually.
SHII
It's not poisoned. They built this to keep us here for a long time.
KOTA
Yeah, but why?
SHII
(grunting)
That is a good question.
Her eyes travel to a strand of dust floating down and widen.
KOTA
(excitedly)
Oh, hey!
She points up.
KOTA
(quickly)
The spaces in the ceiling, can you blast some air through that and make a huge signal?
SHII
(weakly)
Y-yes.
He is slow to stand, pushing aside her help. Once up, he blasts as much air as he can skyward.
CUT TO:
EXT. MEDITATION FIELDS - NIGHT
Currently picking burrs out from his bare feet, Toyo sits on a rock with a wide grimace.
TOYO
(seething)
Stupid lost shoe. Stupid sticky floor!
He flicks a burr away. Suddenly, a burst of dust rises up next to him high enough to scare him off his rock.
TOYO
(shouting)
What? WHAT? Did I blow up the planet!?
CUT TO:
INT. UNDERGROUND CAGE
Shii collapses into Kota's arms, coughing. She lowers him down and grabs the cylinder.
KOTA
Here, drink this.
She recoils from the smell.
KOTA
(surprised)
Who-boy, that is some strong stuff!
He snatches at the cylinder and proceeds to drink it all down without taking a breath. Kota looks away in embarrassment.
After he drops the cylinder, he lets it roll where it may on the ground.
SHII
I held out as long as I could. But...but I need just a few minutes...to breathe clear.
KOTA
What is this, medicine? It smells like Adachi's morning 'juice' I used to sneak drinks of.
She looks introspective suddenly.
KOTA
(quietly)
Oh my gracious me, is that what cured the delicious poison!?
SHII
It relaxes my throat, numbs the pain. Helps me cope.
Kota's eyes level as though a puzzle piece just clicked into place.
SHII
My wife used to make me desserts like that one with the heart on top. She would leave them for me on my nightstand...ah, there I go with my stories again.
KOTA
No, it's fine. Tell me about her.
SHII
(quietly)
She...her voice silenced a room. In a family of three, she was oldest, and that naturally cultivated her into a strong leader. Jinora was my horizon - from sweet dessert to needed wisdom.
His eyes light up at the thought, but they are soon closed as the metal above them creaks open harshly. The low light is blinding from above, but Kota still smiles up to their savior.
The view is up to a surprised Toyo, looking as beaten and tired as they do.
TOYO
(weakly)
Oh, hey. Did you guys want out or...?
CUT TO:
INT. FIRE NATION AMBASSADOR QUARTERS
Adachi doesn't rile from the table as Voso comes in and shuts the door loudly. He looks over towards Adachi, whose eyes are wide open in the foreground.
ADACHI
Well?
VOSO
It's done. Just sign the paper when the time comes and it's over.
He turns and walks to his own make-shift bed. Adachi allows himself to smile.
ADACHI
Good soldier.
Now on Voso's face, he looks sad and unsatisfied that he's lying to the entire world.