INT PRESIDENTIAL SUITE - NIGHT
President Inca rests upon a couch in front of a blazing fire pit. In one hand is a think stack of documents while her other holds a pre-emptive victory drink. Despite the time of night, she still exudes Earth Kingdom colors.
After a few pages flip, she looks over the edge of the documents with a smile.
INCA
You two are quiet enough to assassinate me if you wanted to - unless you're already trying to with your exorbitant dues?
The view pans around to a smirking Master Paya, who stands next to GRAND MASTER MEELO (73). The older master has grown large, but sports the same childish smile as his younger days. Both of them don their nomadic-colored suits and enter further with a slight bow.
PAYA
I hope you believe our services are worth the price, President Inca.
INCA
That is entirely based upon results. Ask me again in a few days. How are you, Grand Master?
GRAND MASTER MEELO
As you say, Madame President, I will likely feel better once we know why we were summoned early.
Inca smiles, bringing sand from the fire pit into a short table for her drink.
INCA
We have new information, new terms, and need new eyes. My sister put this together, and it looks solid, but I wanted to give you two the chance to earn your fee this evening.
Paya takes the documents while Meelo grunts down to a stool, rubbing at his back.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Forgive me for sitting. Travel becomes more burdensome with each passing year.
INCA
Then why ever travel, you big goof ball? Trust me, that's the type of thing that lackies...
She nods towards Paya, who notices.
INCA
Are good for.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Oh, the excitement in the air here will revitalize me, I'm sure. Besides, I have a joke that I know only you will appreciate.
Inca nearly jumps out of her seat.
INCA
(quickly)
Yes, please, Grand Master. Deliver the goods.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(giggling)
Very well, yes, the joke begins like this: What is any earth bender's favorite music?
Inca takes up her glass from the smoldering table. Paya watches the steam rise from the heated drink.
INCA
What is it?
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Rock and Tumble!
The two of them burst into undeserved laughter that makes Paya's eyes roll. They continue on as Paya reads to the end of the document quickly in frustration.
INCA
(calming)
Ah, Meelo, if court jesters ever become a thing, you and that fool Adachi are my two top choices.
PAYA
(grumbling)
Has he seen this?
INCA
Of course not.
She takes a drink while Meelo, still smirking, looks into Paya's serious eyes.
PAYA
(to Meelo)
I think there will be some difficulties in-
INCA
(loudly)
No, no more difficulties, Paya, you stick in the sand.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(to Paya)
If the President and the Vizier are confident this will be accepted, then it is not our place to question their confidence, Paya.
He rises and takes the document from Paya, sliding it into his suit.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
We will simply have this proofed and compressed into a signable document.
INCA
Deliver it to Alrund afterwards for her final approval. She needs to be victorious with me - you two need that too.
Meelo and Paya stand at the precipice of the room again.
INCA
If this goes well, you'll get more business than ever, Paya and Meelo...?
She lifts her glass to them both while Meelo smiles back.
INCA
Keep those killer punchlines coming.
CUT TO:
EXT SPIRIT TREE APEX - BEFORE DAWN
Abe yawns mightily while Makami rests herself on a butt pillow. The briefest glimpses of morning whisper around the far horizon, showing Abe's steaming wooden thermos.
ABE
(droning)
Why am I up before the sun?
MAKAMI
Because we have a train to catch to a meeting to catch that I need to be trained to catch before we can catch our train.
ABE
(tiredly)
Ugh.
She flicks fire at him, but his fingers redirect the flame swiftly.
ABE
(tiredly)
I'm too quick even...ugh, catch that - I don't know. Why did you keep me up all night?
MAKAMI
See previous answer. You can sleep here as long as you protect my body and shout into my face if the train is ready to go, okay?
ABE
(slipping into sleep)
Sleep...gotcha...
Makami takes a deep breath and instantly falls into the Avatar State.
MAKAMI (V.O.)
I'm ready to go.
The view fades to white.
TRANSITION TO:
EXT SPIRIT WORLD SKIES - DAY
Pouring through the sky is the great Unagi - a massive, semi-translucent serpent that writhes through the whispy spirits. The pastel colors of the sky wash by in blues and purples. Below, the hills roll with various areas of mushrooms fighting flowers and spirits rolling across the uneven, ever-changing green lands.
Atop the Unagi, Kuruk straddles the writhing spine of the beast while Kyoshi and Makami sit at its head. Kyoshi is fully dressed now, sitting tall with Makami trying to match her height like a little sister.
MAKAMI
So, this is dangerous - I mean you two even being out of the Apoth?
KYOSHI
A necessary danger, but yes. We are unprotected by Rava's power outside of the Apoth.
KURUK
That just means more fights to win!
MAKAMI
Wait, you're both still as powerful as you were when you were...alive?
KYOSHI
The spirit fuels the body. By time I passed into the Spirit World, I had learned much and grown quite strong. It wasn't so simple for Kuruk.
Makami turns back to him as he slides forward.
KURUK
I came to the Apoth with a poisoned spirit and nearly withered away to nothing. Rava pulled out a bright white light, and presto - I was better.
KYOSHI
Hardly. He was complaining about how weak he felt until a few hours before he challenged Yangchen.
KURUK
(ignoring her jab)
Here's your first lesson, kid - dark spirits are very real and very, very dangerous. Keep your eyes open and keep them at a distance.
KYOSHI
The one we face today non-withstanding.
MAKAMI
I've read about this one - Dokumu.
Kyoshi and Kuruk look at Makami quizzically.
KURUK
Wait, it has a name?
KYOSHI
The Fog of Lost Souls has an originator?
MAKAMI
(slowly)
Well, yeah. Some explorers travelled there and made it back having met Dokumu.
KYOSHI
Brave souls.
MAKAMI
(scoffing)
Evil, heartless glory-hounds. There was another story a few weeks later that uncovered how half the team didn't make it back, and the leader on the expedition admitted he sacrificed them to Dokumu's fog to get the information and get away.
Her eyes turn dark as Kuruk slides up on the other side of Makami to sit.
KYOSHI
You don't think the sacrifice was worth it to bring us this information now?
MAKAMI
Sacrifice is almost never necessary. It's just an easy button the worst of mankind pushes to evacuate all decision-making.
KURUK
Huh, sounds about right.
KYOSHI
You will need to make sacrifices in your position, Makami.
She turns to Kyoshi with surprised eyes.
KYOSHI
The world needs to survive, and the wars will always need to end. Your job is to ensure as many survive that transition as possible.
MAKAMI
But how can they really survive if the world is always at war?
KURUK
You find that out, you let us know. We'll paint your statue with glitter.
Makami gives him a side eye as he chuckles. Kyoshi stands.
KYOSHI
We're nearing the chasm.
Makami stands alongside Kuruk, leaning over the side of the Unagi. Below, there are rocky claws that curl around a single depth sliced into beige and black rock.
KURUK
You ready, Makami?
MAKAMI
I've read about what to do.
KYOSHI
That isn't what he asked.
Makami turns to Kyoshi, who has her thumbs tucked next to her fans in her sash.
KYOSHI
You are still alive, so you are the only one of us that can stand the mists for very long. If we go in, we will be trapped for all time.
MAKAMI
(slowly)
So, I'm going in there...alone?
KURUK
Key and I will take up on either side of the chasm and blow away as much of the fog as we can. You find her squeeze, then we bend you out of there.
KYOSHI
You won't have long before you begin to hallucinate. Do you have the...hm, what do we call it, Kuruk?
KURUK
Hm? Oh, the 'A State'?
MAKAMI
Excuse me? The what state?
She jumps her eyes between them both for another moment before it dawns on her.
MAKAMI
OH! The...A-V-A-T-A-R state. Heh, well, funny story...
She doesn't even have to finish before Kuruk is slapping his forehead and Kyoshi rolls her eyes.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
It's not as though I haven't thought about it, or read about it, or watched movers-
KYOSHI
Enough.
KURUK
We barely even know what a mover is, and you are WAY behind not knowing about that little boost.
MAKAMI
Well, like I said, I do know about it-
KYOSHI
You know nothing.
Makami recoils from her authoritative voice. Kyoshi glares down to her, the make-up giving her a uniquely intimidating presence.
KYOSHI
That reservoir of power is our greatest defense and offense. As a defense, it comes just as you fall over the edge, losing all reason to chaos and releasing your power until all rage subsides.
Kuruk stands now, looking seriously towards Makami as she hangs on Kyoshi's every word.
KYOSHI
For offense, you must balance on the edge without falling - greet your rage, your weakness, and your loss as equals to compassions, happiness, and strength.
KURUK
(to Makami)
From this well comes universal harmony.
KYOSHI
From harmony, you can know your place among the stars. This is your gateway, but without time to train you...
She brings her fans out, handing them to Makami, who is shell-shocked but still reaches for them.
KYOSHI
You will need a weapon.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
I...I can hold my breath for two minutes, extend out my time. Shallow breaths after that - I don't want to take a weapon I don't know how to use.
Kyoshi's serious face softens as she lifts up her hand. Her other hand removes the glove, revealing her scars that mar along either side of her otherwise fair skin.
KYOSHI
You have used them for generations, protecting the weak and strong alike. You may have read about our every escapade, but you cannot live in that world any longer.
Kyoshi extends her hand out, gently touching Makami's cheek. Makami's eyes grow wide.
KYOSHI
You need to be who you were born to be and sacrifice the rest.
MAKAMI
(softly)
I...I remember how to fight.
She jams the fans into her pockets and nods.
MAKAMI
I'm ready.
With that, the Unagi swoops down over the open chasm. Makami takes a daring leap down while the other two Avatars leap left and right. As she lands, the fog displaces to show some of the mumbling hoard around her. She takes a deep breath before it splashes back like water.
EXT THE FOG OF LOST SOULS - CONTINUOUS
The white fog looks harmless all around her, but the frenetic mumbles of the imprisioned around her remind Makami of the danger. She takes quick steps forward, dodging an older man, hunched with eyes wide as he wanders by her, oblivious.
OLD MAN
(crazily)
No, no, no, no, no the sweet jams go on the opposite side of the sandwich!
As she jogs forward, she peers around and through where she can, catching glimpses at faces to find Rangi. Her cheeks start to strain to hold her breath. After a few more moments, she releases the air, and a sudden burst evacuates an entire line of fog from in front and around her. She looks up to either cliff to see Kuruk and Kyoshi have created an air pendulum that sweeps away the fog temporarily.
The ground rumbles harshly enough to bring Makami to her knees. All wandering spirits around her feel nothing as the rumbling increases, cracking the ground itself.
Suddenly crashing above the fog is a lamprey - black and rotten with purple lesions throughout. Its mouth of teeth roar out in pain and anger. From its back spews the fog from small holes.
MAKAMI
(surprised)
Dokumu!?
The worm slams against either side of the canyon to disrupt the Avatars, bringing rocks down upon Makami. She dives out of the way and sees smaller lampreys squirm forward with stingers on their tails that spew more fog.
She comes back to her feet and brings the fans out with a satisfying 'Schink!' Kyoshi and Kuruk do their best to keep the air on Makami as she swats the leaping enemies into the opposite wall.
Above, Kuruk is thrown off by Dokumu's thrashing, using fire to keep the creature at bay.
KURUK
(yelling)
Starting to go up in smoke, Key!
KYOSHI
(yelling)
Makami, you need to move!
MAKAMI
(loudly)
Yeah, hold on!
KYOSHI
(angrily)
There is no holding on - move NOW!
MAKAMI
(loudly)
Blast me with air again!
Kyoshi does it with incredible force that Makami rotates around her body with two fingers, redirecting it to the parasites and blowing them deep into the fog. In doing so, she clears a tunnel of sight that catches the back of Rangi's top knot.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Rangi?
The body of Dokumu slashes down harshly to block the view again. Makami looks up angrily at the creature as it is blasted again and again by Kuruk. Her eyes dance down as an idea forms.
She closes her eyes.
CUT TO:
EXT SPIRIT TREE APEX - MORNING
Abe snuggles with some roots, using his thermos as a warm pillow. Behind him, Makami's body rests upright.
MAKAMI
(echoing)
Abe? Wake up, Abe!
Abe pops up and turns around.
MAKAMI
(echoing)
Abe, you're going to have incoming in a few seconds. Use your bending to send it right back to me. Keep looping it.
ABE
(grunting)
Bruh, yeah, yeah, I'm awake.
CUT TO:
EXT THE FOG OF LOST SOULS
Makami's eyes snap open and she whistles up to Kyoshi.
MAKAMI
(loudly)
Fire blast me!
Kyoshi sends a sharp bolt of fire that Makami lets travel through her chest.
CUT TO:
EXT TOP OF THE SPIRIT TREE
Abe, nodding off on his feet, is singed by the fire as it passed, but his instincts grab the flame into an orbit that sends it back even faster.
CUT TO:
EXT THE FOG OF LOST SOULS
The fire emerges from Makami's chest, and she uses her fingers to travel it into a quick circle. Then, it enters her chest again.
The same cycle happens over and over, each time more momentum building as Makami slowly aligns her chest with the creature and a sharp stone pillar behind it.
MAKAMI
(grunting)
C'mon, c'mon!
The flame comes out at an incredible speed, flying towards Dokumu and striking it with enough force to pierce through its thin, rotting skin and send it into the spires.
Dust rises from the falling, dying spirit while Makami stays resolute with the fans ready to strike. After a few moments, the fog begins to thin. Makami uses this chance to rush forward, pushing past several dozen confused people to gently grab Rangi's shoulder.
MAKAMI
Rangi? My name is Makami and I-
RANGI (33), ever the spirited fire-bender, hip locks Makami to the ground and drops a knee to her shoulder. The fighter is clad in sharp, red Fire Nation armor with chestnut hair in a top knot. She has small, fierce eyes and lips that have the snarl of well-worn battle.
MAKAMI
(choking)
There seems to be a misunderstanding here...
RANGI
(voice like a running buzzsaw)
Who are you?
KYOSHI (O.S.)
Still as spirited as ever, Rangi?
The warrior looks up with soft eyes as Kyoshi lands. Kuruk eyes the crowd warily from behind her. Kyoshi keeps her stone-chiseled eyes locked on Rangi as they approach one another until, only a few feet apart, they can handle it no longer and spring into the other's arms.
RANGI
(gravelly but kind)
Ki-Ki, it's...you're...where are we?
KYOSHI
(softly)
We're reunited, Rangi. For the first time in a long, long time...
Kyoshi hugs her tighter, picking up the smaller bender.
KYOSHI
I feel home.
Kuruk sidles up to Makami as she watches the two reunite with her own tears. Behind them, several of the freed prisoners are staring at the gathered Avatars.
KURUK
(quietly)
This is great and all, but do you feel that in the air?
MAKAMI
(sweetly)
I know, love is fantastic!
KURUK
(whispering)
I'm talking about the utter contempt from nearly everyone else here.
Makami takes a moment to look around.
MAKAMI
Yeah, I see your point.
KURUK
(harsh whispering)
Key, how about we skip town, huh?
KYOSHI
Will you come with me?
Rangi bops Kyoshi on the forehead, shocking her and the other two with such a brazen act.
RANGI
Don't ask stupid questions.
The great Unagi swoops down, parting the spirits from its path while the group leap up to catch their flying train. The vicious dragon swoops up into the sky and away while Makami looks back, the old prisoners turning into purple and black corrupted spirits that roar at them with contempt.
CUT TO:
EXT SPIRIT CROSSING STATION - MORNING
The passengers file back onto the train under the supervision of a very grateful crew. As the majority of them have stepped back into the train, Abe's grunting is heard before he is seen. In another few steps, he comes into the screen, sweating profusely with Makami on his back in her large hat and sunglasses again, tied to his torso with some leaves and a folding lawn chair.
One of the train crew comes over.
CREW MATE 1
May I take your...unconscious person, sir?
ABE
(choking)
No, she just...won a bet. Nothing...unusual here. The vines are...clear now, right?
CREW MATE 1
Yes sir, oddly enough. They just cleared on their own, and the water receded too.
ABE
(choking)
Well...thank our loveless overseers for...ugh, for that.
He grunts his way onto the train at last as the whistle sounds and the doors all close.
CUT TO:
EXT THE APOTH
Kyoshi and Rangi laugh sweetly as the former gives her the tour. Kuruk sits with Makami, lounging like a victorious gladiator atop a small stone podium.
KURUK
Not bad, huh? Your first big adventure?
MAKAMI
(chuckling)
Most definitely unexpected. Bet you were glad to have a fight on your hands again, huh?
KURUK
You bet I was! I coulda taken that big ol' worm.
MAKAMI
It looked...odd right? Like it was already dying?
KURUK
Yes, I...uh, sure.
He leans up and taps his fingers impatiently.
KURUK
Say, uh...you're a nerd, right?
MAKAMI
Excuse me?
KURUK
I mean, you read a lot? About our exploits and triumphs?
MAKAMI
(sadly)
Kuruk, don't ask what you're going to ask. Please.
KURUK
(chuckling nervously)
You don't know what I'm gonna ask, alright? I'm unpredictable. Worse, I'm pure chaos at wor-
MAKAMI
Koh, the Face Stealer. That's the demon that took Ummi as revenge against you. You were...going to ask me if I knew anything about him, and I do and it's not good.
He lets his hand drop and looks away.
MAKAMI
(sadly)
Koh was defeated and killed, but none of the souls could be freed. She couldn't be-
KURUK
(sharply)
I get it. I...
He sniffs sharply and stands, walking away sadly.
KURUK
(mumbling)
Thanks for the good time.
KYOSHI (O.S.)
Kuruk!
He stops at the threshold of his statue but doesn't turn.
KYOSHI
All my wins against you have been nothing but luck. You proved that today with your bravery. I thank you.
He pounds his fist twice on the stone base and nods before stepping up, disappearing into the shin of his statue.
RANGI
(quietly)
Who's the shrimp tree?
Kyoshi smiles and turns to Makami.
KYOSHI
I'm not quite sure what to call her yet, but if you wanted to thank her, you could call her by her name.
Rangi snorts and marches over to Makami, who stands at attention.
RANGI
(forcefully)
I do not know you, and Kyoshi tells me that you're not worth knowing, so I will keep this brief.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Hurtful, but okay.
RANGI
You...woke me from a fate worse than death to be with the one person I wanted to be with in life.
She breaks into a soft smile.
RANGI
I suppose I can't repay you for that, but if ever there is a chance for either of us to, don't you dare hesitate to ask.
Rangi bows as Makami bows back, then turns to march into Kyoshi's leg but stops short.
RANGI
(sweetly)
Don't be long, Ki-Ki.
With that, she enters the tall foot of Kyoshi, leaving just the two Avatars upon the Apoth. Kyoshi comes forward with a smirk while Makami brings the fans up from her pockets.
MAKAMI
These are yours as well.
Kyoshi quietly takes them, gazing at their construction like they were more old friends she hadn't seen in a long time.
MAKAMI
(softly)
The memories you have with her, or the ones I saw at least when you shared your mind with me, they were beautiful. Worth fighting over.
KYOSHI
If they were worth fighting over, then why didn't you fight?
MAKAMI
(confused)
I did fight. The small elopomorpha and the very, very large-
KYOSHI
You're not a fighter. Kuruk and I are fighters, rushing in head-first to break the obstacle, then claim it all a part of a greater plan. You were calm, quick, decisive with your mind before bending ever entered the equation. I've never met another one of us like you, Makami.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Really?
KYOSHI
Don't be too excited. It means that you will find useful advice in short supply here, I'm afraid - especially from me.
MAKAMI
Wait, no, I need advice. You brokered peace in your time.
KYOSHI
Only under the threat of a one-woman war.
MAKAMI
Maybe that's what I need to be, then. I can feel the train moving right now, and I'm no closer to knowing how to stop this terrible war.
KYOSHI
Are you not? You just defeated an ancient spirit using limited bending and your wits.
Kyoshi breaks a chuckle, smiling fully at Makami's shocked face.
KYOSHI
To be a mystery to your own kind is something I can relate to. No one had ever seen anything like me either, and I rewrote the maps of the world.
She hands one of her folded, metal fans back to Makami.
KYOSHI
Let's see what you can do now.
Makami slowly takes the fan as her spirit begins to fade from the Apoth. In the last moments before Makami's spirit fades, Kyoshi bows to her.
Behind, Rangi leans out with an angry brow.
RANGI
(angrily)
Ki-Ki, where is the house I built you in the Human World!?
Kyoshi chuckles and spins.
KYOSHI
Let's get to rebuilding that, shall we?
CUT TO:
INT VARRICK EXPRESS - MORNING
Abe lounges back reading a magazine while the light pours through the windows. Seated against the window is Makami, pulling off her glasses but keeping the hat.
ABE
Welcome back. Did you die?
MAKAMI
(quietly)
No, still kicking.
He puts down the magazine, seeing the folded fan in her hand.
ABE
Find what you were looking for?
She extends it out, showing the shined, gold surface and her reflection in it. For a moment, she sees the eyes of Kyoshi - bold, powerful, focused. After she blinks, she sees her own eyes, smirking as she notices very little difference.
MAKAMI
I think I did, yeah. How much longer?
ABE
We just started moving again. Relax, they'll wait for you.
MAKAMI
It's not them I'm excited to see.
ABE
Oh yeah? Who ya got waitin' for you behind those tall walls?
Makami smiles, blushing as she turns to the window letting her grin completely unfurl.
ABE
(groaning)
Oh, the boyfriend-best-friend, right.
Makami's eyes widen and she reaches down the front of her shirt.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
That reminds me - his gift!
She pulls out the torn, loose paper that Abe scowls at.
ABE
(dourly)
If that's a dried rice picture of you two kissing, I'm going to be very disappointed.
She snorts before opening the present with a quiet sigh.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Wow.
Unfolding in her hands now is a dark blue sash of thick, warm cloth. Peppered along its surface are small stars. On the far left is a sewn-in constellation of a camp fire and a pair of celestial stick figures roasting fish.
Abe makes an impressed grunt.
ABE
Your guy's quite the seamstress.
Makami pays him no attention, folding it up until only the constellation figures are facing up.
ABE
You're going to tell me the story behind this now, aren't you?
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Not in a million years, Master. That's just for us to know.
She turns to the window, her cheeks bright and eyes full of excitement.
CUT TO:
INT FIRE AMBASSADOR QUARTERS - MORNING
Voso, looking out a window just as Makami is, looks pale, tired, and unready for the day ahead. The sounds of children playing and splashing already come through from the nearby waterpark.
He sighs and looks over, one of his spirit friends lifting up a pen to him. Beside that, there is a letter started with only "Dear Makami". He takes the pen, gently pushing the tip to the page.
He writes just one line before coming back up. Around, the view shows the line written is "I've always loved you."
His hand snatches the page up and dips it into a nearby bowl of water. He throws his head back and grunts with frustration.
ADACHI (O.S.)
Voso? What is it?
VOSO
Nothing, I'm...making some notes.
ADACHI (O.S.)
Be careful about that. Remember the rules.
VOSO
Yeah, I know - only write down what you want other people to see.
He leans back to the desk, closing his eyes and sighing.
VOSO
(quietly)
So, what do I want her to see?
After a few more pen taps, it begins to write, not slowing this time.
CUT TO:
EXT EARTH KINGDOM DESERT - BEFORE DAWN
Toyo, Shii, and Kota walk along the train tracks with Toyo and Kota hefting a huge amount of metal. Shii leads them with a walking stick, looking off to the horizon.
SHII
Nearly dawn now.
KOTA
(grunting)
And we couldn't just go back to the platform...why?
SHII
(clearing throat)
Night trains don't run this line, and we don't know who might've been waiting for us.
TOYO
(excitedly)
Success!
He lets a broken license plate rise with his power, and Kota immediate shrugs down the large sack of metal.
KOTA
(sighing)
Oh thank the metal lord!
SHII
How long will you need, Toyo?
TOYO
Psh, count the seconds...
A counter begins on the screen, ticking up as Toyo drops the metal. His arms swim through the air to combine and organize the metal as Shii and Kota lean against a nearby large rock.
By time the clock strikes five-second, he has formulated a small rickshaw with wheels suitable for the rails. He slides in with a flourish and some dust from his hand as confetti.
TOYO
(excitedly)
What an inventor he is, right?!
Shii and Kota rise up, eyeing the contraption conspicuously.
TOYO
And certainly too talented to be left alone again, right gang?
KOTA
(grumbling)
No, we'll all be together when this thing crashes apart.
SHII
It's our only chance to get to Ba-Sing-Se before the meeting. Toyo, you're on front. Kota, back-to-back.
The three of them cajole and climb, finally finding an equilibrium where Toyo is pressed hard against a front bar and Kota is squished in the middle between the two of them and the central metal bar, hooking arms with Shii.
TOYO
Please observe the closing doors and hold the heck on!
Toyo swings his arms, elbowing Shii in the head, who recoils and smacks Kota in the back of hers.
TOYO
All a part of the learning process!
He swings tighter, moving them forward with his power. At last, they gain momentum and rush off on the rails.
CUT TO:
INT KURUK'S CHAMBERS - SPIRIT WORLD
Inside of Kuruk's statue, there are throngs of spirits without forms, each hovering like whispers. They brush through frozen homes and a semi-circular rotunda that resembles a doomsday scenario.
SPIRIT 1
(ghostly)
He's so impressive.
SPIRIT 2
(raspy)
He's the best there is.
Moving closer to the raised stage, there is a carved-out hole in the back where no light comes from.
INT KURUK'S CAVE - CONTINUOUS
Down the cave, past an intricate set of tunnels, finally comes Kuruk's hideaway where only a single candle flickers. In the low light of that candle, Kuruk, disheveled and without his fierce head dressing, braces himself over a basin of water, struggling to catch his breath.
In the reflection, his face is haggard and his eyes sunken. He moves to unbutton his jacket, revealing a dark spot from around his collar bone.
The spiritual poison thought to be gone remains, and as he glances up to a wood-carving of Ummi, his late wife, it pulsates until he is a groaning mess of pain on the floor of his own eternal abode.