EXT. THE GREAT ELEVATOR - MID-DAY
Beneath a pair of great white stone columns is a green island in the middle of a bog. Air bender children and seniors play, meditate, and politely greet one another with fresh pastries from a raw stone oven.
A few cars stop on the outskirts of the bog near a wooden, curved bridge. From the seats arise Makami and her group with Meelo and Paya leading the way. She is in front with the air benders and Abe while Kota, Shii, and Toyo are in the back getting luggage.
TOYO
(whispering)
Do you think she's forgiven me and will let me stay?
SHII
I think you'd best just stand in the back of the room for a while.
KOTA
Yeah, better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
SHII
What? Who said that? That's terrible advice.
TOYO
(whispering)
I'll take it - hide me.
As he ducks down behind the two, Makami gazes around as a line begins to form in front of elevator cars. Four of them comprise a circle where air blasts send people up and down with the comfort of a cloud.
PAYA
This is where many of our people come for a reprieve from the sanctuary.
MAKAMI
It's beautiful. The outskirts of the swamp are such welcome splashes of green, and without the splash of water farts.
ABE
(confused)
Wait a minute, I thought the nomads lived in the five air temples?
PAYA
Not anymore. Excuse me.
Paya squeezes his way through the crowd, dragging his war chest towards the elevator. Abe and Kota give him a nasty look while Meelo waves away the impolite showing.
MEELO
(embarrassed)
Please, forgive...forgive - HEY WHAT'S THAT!?
The view swings over to a patch of tall, boring grass. A toad-cricket hops out, and Toyo pokes his head out to see if it's clear, quickly retreating back when he sees all of the eyes.
Makami stands between Kota and Shii rolling her eyes.
MAKAMI
Okay, seriously, you two actually trust him after he just so happens to stumble upon your cell?
KOTA
(shrugging)
We weren't that far from where we landed, and he was toasty.
SHII
We weren't in much of a bargaining position for choosing help either.
KOTA
Besides, he gave some good advice back there.
MAKAMI
(snorting)
Hardly. He didn't believe I could do anything and wanted me to give up. The ouroboros keeps spinning and eating.
Shii opens his mouth to speak, but slowly decays into a face of confusion and fear of the unknown.
SHII
(quietly)
I don't know what you are sometimes.
KOTA
(grunting)
We all feel that way about her.
MAKAMI
(snarkily)
Not your brother.
KOTA
(groaning)
I will put my fingers in my ears, woman!
Makami laughs and lays her head to Kota's shoulder.
MAKAMI
No, no, I'll be good.
KOTA
If you are, you might get some...
(to Shii)
Say, what do air benders consider 'sweet treats' up there?
SHII
(thoughtfully)
Hm, when I was up there last, it was pie wrapped in custard. On a stick.
Makami pops her head up.
MAKAMI
Bless you merry benders of air!
KOTA
Hey, before I forget, did you see Voso before we left? I saw Adachi but not him.
MAKAMI
Oh, you saw your grandfather - that Adachi?
KOTA
(sarcastically)
Oh, yeah, like I forgot his title.
(pridefully)
He's my whatever, and I'll disrespect him how I want.
MAKAMI
(laughing)
Oh, sure, alright. And no, I didn't see him, but it's fine. I'm sure he was just keeping a low profile.
CUT TO:
INT EARTH KINGDOM CATACOMBS
Alrund unwillingly leads Voso through an uneven, dark cave. He looks unhappy but keeps his hand locked to her shoulder. She has a face searching for a way out of this by any means necessary. The sound of water dripping down the walls echoes throughout the dark system.
VOSO
(growling)
Are you sure this is the way to the weapons cache? We've been walking for a long time. We're going to hit the coast at this point.
ALRUND
(stiffly)
This is the way.
VOSO
The long way, right?
ALRUND
(desperately)
Let me go. Please.
VOSO
I can't do that.
ALRUND
(loudly)
You can!
VOSO
Don't raise your voice!
She grimaces as he grips her shoulder tighter.
ALRUND
(whispering)
I'm not a traitor, and neither are you. We're both just in the wrong place at the wrong-
She elbows him in the ribs, releasing his hand from her shoulder. Alrund immediately tries to run away.
VOSO
Stop.
She can't move as soon as her foot drops, sending her off balance and into the wall. Her eyes are wide as she turns slowly, looking on her back where one of the spirits, like a starfish with eyeballs on the ends of its arms, waves to her with a cute noise.
VOSO (O.S.)
My spirits are an extension of me thanks to our friendship. Stand up.
She obeys like a puppet, turning towards him.
VOSO
You and your sister had your chance to do the right thing - do you even know what that means?
ALRUND
(weakly)
Voso, please...
He waits.
ALRUND
(whispering)
You can't make me betray my sister. She's the only family I have, and she's agreed to your terms. It's already over.
VOSO
We'll see when we get to the weapons.
He reaches out, taking her forearm. His spirit rolls its way up his arm as Alrund watches intently.
VOSO
Don't try to get away again, and stop taking me the long way. Take me directly to the weapons cache - now.
Without hesitation, she walks back the way they'd come with him attached, and her eyes back to looking for a solution.
CUT TO:
EXT THE GREAT ELEVATOR - MID DAY
Makami rests on the grass with Abe and Kota and a napping Shii.
ABE
(to Kota)
You know, I'm known in some circles as quite the chef.
KOTA
And?
ABE
No, you're supposed to ask "What's your favorite thing to make?"
KOTA
What if I...walk away instead?
She hoists herself up and wipes her hands.
KOTA
(to Makami)
I'll help get the food.
Once she walks away, Abe scoots closer to Makami.
ABE
Where did I offend her and when?
MAKAMI
I don't know - when did you first smarmily lure a girl into your charming net?
He's winking to a group of female air benders that blush, giggle and keep walking.
He turns to Makami, looking at his hands in shock.
ABE
(quietly)
Oh no, I can't stop. I've become too powerful.
MAKAMI
I'm just saying that Kota's already skeptical of everyone ever. She doesn't expect anyone to keep their word besides me and her brother.
ABE
Wow, you make her seem like a great friend.
MAKAMI
She is a great friend. You just don't seem like a great friend to her.
ABE
(offended)
Hey, you and I have worked great together, I thought and continue to think and won't hear any input otherwise?
MAKAMI
(chuckling)
We have, and I know you're a good person. Maybe show her that too, huh?
ABE
Hrm, maybe...
Makami gives him a side eye until he leans up, turning serious.
ABE
Alright, fine, give me something she likes.
MAKAMI
Uh, hard pass. Ask her - or better yet, challenge her to anything.
ABE
Like what?
MAKAMI
Literally anything, Abe, she will treat it like a championship event and crush you mightily.
Meelo and Kota walk over with a few trays of covered dishes. Makami nudges Shii to wake up while Toyo's head sticks out of the tall grass behind them, sniffing mightily. Kota kicks his head back into the grass as she sits.
KOTA
The elevator cars are broken, so dig in slowly.
MEELO
(saddened)
I do hope they're up and running before Sozen's Comet passes. I can't even imagine what might be the problem. The elevator has never broken before.
SHII
(grumbling)
Has anyone asked Paya?
MEELO
(chuckling)
Don't be silly, Shii. He'd never strand us down here.
MAKAMI
(grumbling)
No, he'd have been in too much of a rush to count his earnings.
MEELO
Oh dear, he even rubbed you the wrong way?
MAKAMI
Something like that.
KOTA (O.S.)
(loudly)
You're on!
Makami turns to Kota and Abe, who are now holding their breath with puffed cheeks, staring one another in the eye intently as they do.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
Don't pass out.
She turns to the crowds, all busying themselves happily around the elevator. No one looks unhappy with the delay, just content with the breeze and the company.
MEELO
(to Makami)
Are you surprised to see so many of us?
MAKAMI
No, it's not that. I feel so much... happiness coming from this crowd. The small things do not get to your people easily.
MEELO
Indeed not. Their plights are nothing compared to the Air Nomads of the past. We educate our acolytes and benders of this fact from a young age.
MAKAMI
And problem resolution?
MEELO
For those that want that path, yes. You must understand, Avatar - the world needed impartial guidance while you were gone. A whole generation is a very long time.
MAKAMI
And extending hours, over-billing, dragging on conflicts is the answer?
MEELO
(disappointed)
Paya's methods are sadly not always for the right reasons. He worries over every coin.
MAKAMI
Because he thinks money will buy the Air Nation modernity?
MEELO
Yes, and he fears you will interfere with that cause.
MAKAMI
I would never endanger your people, or stop their growth. How can he think that I would?
MEELO
(smiling)
Put yourself in his shoes - leading for so long and, just like that, someone comes out of the shadows to say they will help at last. An Avatar at that! Would you trust them immediately?
MAKAMI
Yes, I would.
MEELO
Well, then, perhaps you and he are just very different people.
Abe bursts out for air first, Kota using her exhale to belch loudly in his face.
After the expulsion, she keeps her hands up in victory.
KOTA
(too much pride)
I have conquered evil, Makami. We can all go home.
Makami smiles before turning back to Meelo.
MAKAMI
Grand Master, I have a question.
MEELO
Please, Avatar, never hesitate to ask.
MAKAMI
Back at the treaty signing, since the Air Nation was so involved in that process, you would've had to sign-off on the last copy of the contract, right?
MEELO
Yes, I did personally.
MAKAMI
Then you saw the changed language, and you pointed it out to me?
Meelo chortles and winks, but she isn't amused.
MAKAMI
Why did you do it?
MEELO
Does it matter in the end?
MAKAMI
Shii is feeding an idiot named Toyo in the tall grass because they both think I'll evaporate him if he comes out.
Meelo turns around to see Shii whistling as he flicks a steaming bun into the air in the grass where Toyo hops up to snatch it like a hungry fish.
MAKAMI
So, yes, why people do things matters.
MEELO
(chuckling)
Ah, you make it too easy to admire your mind, Avatar. Yes, I changed the language and dropped a little hint, but what you did is no less impressive on a global scale.
MAKAMI
(disappointed)
You thought I needed help or I was going to mess it up, right?
MEELO
I thought you needed help because I could give it, and I wanted you to know that you can always trust me to help.
Makami gives him a warm smile while Abe beats Kota in the background in thumb wrestling.
ABE
(celebrating)
Evil rises again! Lock your doors - the Thumb Wrassler is afoot!
Makami and Meelo chuckle at the two of them while Kota looks to be fuming out of her skin.
CUT TO:
INT. EARTH KINGDOM WEAPONS CACHE - EARLY EVENING
Alrund is first into the weapons storage facility with Voso just behind, still gripping her shoulder. He closes the door and freezes the seam shut.
Turning, he peers into the large depository of metallic horrors. Husks slump against the far wall awaiting parts and their chests to be filled with pilots. Eerie green glows emanate from their chests and other sections next to other, smaller weapons.
He steps closer, pushing Alrund towards the massive guns.
VOSO
(quietly)
Robotic suits...I've never seen ones like that. What are you and Inca planning with all of these?
ALRUND
(forced)
This is our standing armory. Every country has one.
VOSO
That's not true.
ALRUND
(growling)
I've seen every single one of them. Look on that desk - the folder.
Voso turns, backing up towards the thin folder slowly with Alrund in tow. He flips open the manila top to see off-kilter, faded color polaroids of various military installations.
VOSO
What am I looking at?
ALRUND
The weapons repositories of every other developed nation in the world.
He brushes the top ones aside, showing similar weapons inside of ice caverns.
ALRUND
(forced)
The Southern Metropolis is sinking into the ocean because they weakened their precious glacier to make more room for a stockpile. No one wants to be unprepared for the next war.
VOSO
Why? Why is war so important to you all?
ALRUND
(struggling)
Be-because the...ugh, the next war will be the last war.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
Says the monger at the top of the heap.
VOSO
And those green rods?
ALRUND
(weakly)
Spirit...roots. We harvested a few hundreds pounds...for weapons.
VOSO
The last time an Earth Kingdom leader harvested the Spirit Tree, it destroyed international relations for decades. Why would you do that again?
ALRUND
(struggling)
Don...don't make me...!
VOSO
(sternly)
Tell me why!
ALRUND
To fight the Avatar!
His pupils shrink in instant rage.
ALRUND
(quickly)
Do you know how many Avatars have ever lost their lives to unnatural causes? Roku was the last one and got taken out by a volcano. We had to build a defense that could at least slow the next one down.
VOSO
(quietly)
Are you telling me every nation has these weapons?
ALRUND
(quickly)
Everyone buys and sells weapons. That is international relations, and no matter how good an Avatar looks in a newspaper picture, we all have to prepare!
VOSO
(angrily)
Is that why you built those terrible bombs!? To aim them directly at the Avatar?
ALRUND
(choked laughing)
With those bombs, we hold the countries of the world in check. No one wants to see water turn to fire, or air become painful to breathe. And as for the Avatar...
She looks over her shoulder to the angered Voso, her smile insidious.
ALRUND
Look at the bottom picture in that folder.
He turns, rifling quickly. At the bottom is a picture of Makami standing next to Abe as they and a large crowd stare up at the explosion. The fear on her face is palpable as the light rains down.
ALRUND (O.S.)
(chuckling)
See that fear in her eyes?
He spins around, gripping hard into her shoulder.
VOSO
(growling)
Tell me how many you have - now!
ALRUND
Over two-hundred automatons-
VOSO
(loudly)
No, the bombs - take me to the bombs!