EXT BA-SING-SE SKYLINE - EARLY MORNING
The far-away rustle of the streets do very little to prepare for the onslaught that is about to follow. From high above, the green-accented brown buildings look calm and studious of time's gentle march.
The view pans over to a rhino - just a regular rhino - standing on a roof. Before long, it roars out like a rooster, alerting everyone that the time has come to begin the day.
MONTAGE BEGIN
- Adachi uses a ruler to make sure his many accolades are straight across his breast. Voso is in the background combing his hair back in straight lines, eyeing his grandfather with mixed feelings.
- Toyo and Shii tie their flame-red knots around like belts. Shii tightens Toyo's first, then Shii gives an "Oof!" when Toyo tightens too tightly.
- The air bending masters - Paya and Meelo - are balanced on one hand each, moving through their yoga moves. Meelo, given his size, has a very strained expression with bloated, red cheeks.
- Inca and Alrund sit back to back, having their faces attended to by a pair of hand maidens. Inca flips through a copy of Home and Space magazine with a man cuddling a cabbage on the cover in space. Alrund looks over some documents.
- At last, we see Makami walk forward with focused eyes. She is flanked by Shii, Abe, Kota, and Toyo with all of their chins held high. As the door opens, the sun shines upon them.
INT. PRESIDENTIAL MEETING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The group walks in to the grand hall, met by the dignitaries from the various nations. Their eyes follow Makami, who retains her poise with her new hair that is braided into small symbols of the Fire Nation on either side of her head.
The first to approach her is the Water Nation councilor, Khonsu, looking well-rested for once.
KHONSU
Av-a-tar Makami. I'm Khonsu from the Northern Metropolis.
Abe snorts a laugh.
KHONSU
Our thriving metropolis will be happy to welcome you at any time.
MAKAMI
Thank you, Ambassador.
Republic City's Mako walks over with Meelo. Paya isn't far behind.
MEELO
Mako, is that you?
MAKO
Yes, Grand Master-
MEELO
Outstanding - ah, Avatar Makami!
The masters leave Mako grumbling in the background as they approach Makami.
She bows as Meelo and Paya do.
MEELO
A true honor to meet the newest generation of Avatar. I am Grand Master Meelo, and this is my closest friend, Master Paya.
MAKAMI
The honor is mine, Masters.
PAYA
Avatar, you honor this meeting with your presence. How have your travels been?
MAKAMI
They're been quite...eventful. I've been learning how closed off from the world I've really been. I hope my presence here changes that for us all.
MEELO
(chuckling)
Wise words, Avatar.
His eyes narrow as Shii approaches.
MEELO
Ah, no wonder! You have a very wise man in your tow. How are you, Kai?
SHII
That is no longer my name, Meelo.
He turns to ice as his gaze sets upon Paya.
SHII
Come, Makami, we should sit.
CUT TO:
EXT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - DAY
Adachi and Voso, both surrounded by their military escort, walk towards the entrance to the palace. They both have their hands clasped behind their backs and eyes forward. Adachi's eyes are focused, his lips a straight line. Voso lets his eyes wander across the ground, looking guilty.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
What troubles you, boy? You lack faith in your own plan?
Voso doesn't answer.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
The wheels are already in motion and out of your hands. Your gambit may be successful yet.
VOSO
(whispering)
Can't talk now.
ADACHI
Hm? What did you say?
VOSO
Just psyching myself up, sir.
ADACHI
You remember what to do and what not to do, right?
VOSO
Yes, sir. Do keep my eyes open, don't keep my eyes on, er, the VIP section.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
I'll be rooting for you, my friend.
INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - CONTINUOUS
The fire guards split and let Adachi and Voso take lead. Makami turns in her chair and stifles a smile, focusing on Adachi instead. She stands and bows before Adachi while he does the same.
ADACHI
Avatar Makami - an honor to meet you at last. I hope your travels were safe.
MAKAMI
You as well, Commandant. And my travels were...statistically impossibly dangerous.
ALRUND (O.S.)
Let's all take our seats, shall we.
Makami sits back to the same long table with chairs all along one side, facing the sand pit. Inside the shallow pit is a desk where Inca and Adachi sit across from one another. Voso and Alrund watch over the proceedings from the background. There is an empty chair between the two.
INCA
Welcome ambassadors, Avatar, and anyone that may be listening in the rafters.
Meelo chuckles delightfully.
INCA
We are here to sign only the second official peace treaty between the Earth and Fire Nations, so let's - oh, Makami? Can you join us up here, please?
Kota and Shii share a surprised look while Makami obeys quickly. Again, she draws all eyes - except for Alrund's. Hers are watching Voso, who looks concerned.
Makami sits with grace.
ADACHI
President Inca of the Earth Kingdom - will you present to me your terms for signature?
INCA
Certainly, Commandant Adachi.
She hands him the paper with a smirk never leaving her face, and Makami's eyes never leaving the page. Adachi's eyes quickly move over the words until he seems off-balance by the content, sparing a glance to Makami.
INCA
Are the terms acceptable?
He forms a pen from molten rock in the air, the drying lava sizzling in his fingers.
ADACHI
The terms are...acceptable.
INCA
Super!
He hands the document over after signing. She signs using an ink pen, then starts blowing on the page again with a smile.
INCA
Perhaps the Avatar could just air bend this signature dry, hm?
Polite chuckling follows from around the room - except Makami actually does it, much to the President's surprise.
INCA
Oh. Thanks.
MAKAMI
Of course.
She places the document in front of Makami with her pen.
INCA
Now, if you'll sign on this line here, we can be done.
Toyo's voice clears from the table, stopping her pen.
TOYO
(loudly)
And what, exactly, will her signature be authorizing, Madame President?
INCA
Ah, excuse my manners - for those that are late to the party, the Fire Nation is asking that we cease and dismantle our weapons program...
ADACHI
And in return, we give a written guarantee to never pursue the weapons...and to give over nationality of the Avatar.
Kota, Abe, and Voso all scream "WHAT?!" at the same time. Shii turns towards Meelo, who looks befuddled in the mess.
KOTA
(loudly)
You can't just give away the Avatar's citizenship!
TOYO
Madame President, could I and the group we have brought have a word in private? This is news to our group.
INCA
By all means, Sage.
MAKAMI
Can I borrow this?
INCA
Go for it.
Makami stands with the rest of the team and they walk towards a private side chamber.
Once they're clear, Voso leans to Adachi.
VOSO
(whispering)
Grandfa-?
He holds up his hand.
ADACHI
This is the deal you told me to sign. I'm trusting you. It's done.
He spins to Alrund and Inca as they await his glare together.
VOSO
(harshly whispering)
This wasn't our deal!
ALRUND
(quietly)
I know I've given you many lessons in our short time together, but I hope you remember this one the most.
INCA
Oh, don't be mean, Alrund. We'll be working closely together with one another.
(whispering)
Otherwise, I'd hate to see your life ruined by a charge of treason.
Voso's face is dark as Inca and Alrund walk towards the ambassador's table, leaving him shaking.
CUT TO:
INT PRIVATE PRESIDENTIAL ROOM
Makami has the paper in hand with her eyes carefully parsing the language. Kota paces heatedly while Toyo and Shii watch. Abe pores over the page over Makami's shoulder.
KOTA
(quickly)
Buncha stuffed shirts pulling you out of the Fire Nation like an old battleship!
ABE
I told you. This Inca lady doesn't respect you at all.
TOYO
Our own Adachi agreed to the terms though, presumably with the sign-off from the Emperor.
SHII
Ichiro wouldn't know an Avatar from a scimitar.
TOYO
Clearly. Inca, however, can have and wants Makami as her mascot.
KOTA
Yeah, so, let's do something before she becomes a billboard Avatar for rock polish.
TOYO
Makami...?
She snaps her eyes up, looking over her shoulder.
TOYO
I know my opinion might not carry much weight at the moment, but I believe the pathway to peace hasn't changed for you. We always knew you'd have to move through the Earth Kingdom to achieve it. Perhaps, this is how that pathway manifests?
Makami is silent with her eyes drifting down and away. The silent moment stretches on until Kota waves her hand in front of Makami's eyes.
KOTA
Need some input here, Ami.
MAKAMI
(emptily)
Hm, yeah, I think your hair looks great, Kota!
She stands and walks out the door with the page in hand, her eyes glued to it.
MAKAMI
You...look great, yeah...
The group look to each other before walking out behind her. Kota rolls her eyes while calming the rest of the group.
KOTA
No idea how, but she found something. Let's just go watch the show.
INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - CONTINUOUS
Makami walks in with her face still in the document. Everyone grabs their seats as she walks casually back to her seat and sets the document down.
INCA
Did you and your people have time to digest the terms?
Makami doesn't say a word, putting inked pen to the page. Voso struggles to hold his composure from behind.
INCA
Alright, well, that's a hard yes!
Makami stands quickly before the others with a smile on her face.
MAKAMI
I, Avatar Makami, renounce my citizenship to the Fire Nation.
Inca and Adachi stand, beginning a round of applause. Over her shoulder, Abe, Toyo, Kota, and Shii all look slack-jawed in shock.