INT MAKAMI'S ROOM
Abe helps Baki up while Voso does the same to Kota. Makami still sits on the bed with bright eyes.
BAKI
What happened to us?
VOSO
There was a white light from-
Makami bursts awake with a gasp, causing Voso to drop Kota immediately and rush towards her.
VOSO
(excitedly)
Makami! Are you okay?
She holds up her normal forearm.
MAKAMI
Yeah. You all?
ABE
Fit as a fiddle-snake.
BAKI
(confused)
I thought...I remember maybe falling on my face?
KOTA
No, I think that was Voso when he tried to heal us.
VOSO
(smiling)
Hey, at least I tried?
MAKAMI
Can we still make the meeting?
VOSO
(confused)
Uh, yeah, but...
MAKAMI
Let me get changed and we'll go.
The room watches her leave the bed, wondering silently what's running through her mind.
KOTA
Shouldn't we take a moment to, you know, live after nearly dying?
MAKAMI
Later, I can't be late for this one. Everyone out.
BAKI
Fine by me...
Everyone moves out, Voso lingering enough to smile back to Makami before he's yanked out by his sewn pants by Kota.
CUT TO:
EXT AYAME RESIDENCE - LATE AFTERNOON
The homestead, rebuilt after the fires, looks far more modern, now partially hidden behind lengthier shrubs in the front yard. Lights are on upstairs and down, and the front door is open behind a clear acrylic door.
A rickshaw pulls to a stop in front of the house to let Baki out. The driver opens his mouth to sound like a car horn in a friendly manner to another passing rickshaw, which returns the sound.
The vehicle rolls away as someone comes out of the shadows from the side. Baki turns with her hand in her purse.
BAKI
(loudly)
No, the cookbook isn't done yet - oh, Kin?
Kin steps out with her hair completely undone and her hands wringing around a longer , dragon-shaped stress ball.
KIN
Hello, Miss Ayame.
BAKI
I'm...sorry, I'm really flustered this evening.
KIN
Yes, well, I can understand that.
BAKI
Just went through the wildest day after lunch with my daughters...but listen to me going on too long like the last guy at a lunar party.
They share a small chuckle with Kin still clearly uncomfortable.
BAKI
I'm sorry you couldn't join us for lunch today.
KIN
As am I. After Zura left, I...I had an afternoon of my own. I...
(nervously)
Heh, I know this is terribly uncouth of me to skulk near dinner.
BAKI
Nonsense, Kin. In fact, I think we still have some of your favorites leftover from lunch.
ZURA (O.S.)
(yelling)
No, we don't! Sorry...
Baki scowls at her eavesdropping daughter.
BAKI
Well, I'm sure Zura can go to the store for some more. Come inside.
KIN
From the store? I thought you made them?
BAKI
(chortling)
Me? Cook? The kitchen's not rebuilt yet, so it's hotplates or take-out food. On the plus side, just wait until you see the takeout menu filing cabinet!
CUT TO:
INT. TOYO'S CAR - EARLY EVENING
Toyo, Voso, and Makami are sitting in the large backseat of a limo. She is buttoned tightly in a red and black uniform with her hair finely parted with a jade comb, staring out the window.
Voso looks out his own window, glancing back to her periodically. Toyo is on the side bench tapping his fingers arrhythmically.
TOYO
(giggling)
Do you know what that Helga of yours was doing as I waited with Shii? Taking her lunch break - near the end of the day! It's a wonder anything through her gets done.
MAKAMI
(flatly)
I'm beginning to suspect Shii is doing her job for her.
VOSO
That so? We should see if there's anyone from the usual candidate pool that wants to serve a living legend.
MAKAMI
Hm.
Voso and Toyo share a look, the latter urging him on.
VOSO
(sighing)
If only there was such a living superstar of virtue and grace.
Makami turns away from the window at last.
VOSO
You know, someone that had mastered all four elements, not just three and a plate of prickle berry puffs.
MAKAMI
Hey, I've put it out there that I need an earth bending master. None have come forward.
VOSO
Hey, Al?
The thin window between the backseat and driver rolls down with the driver's eyes in the rear view mirror. Their eyes aren't visible in the mirror.
AL
Yes?
VOSO
Care to train the Avatar as an earth bender?
There is a strained second before the feminine mouth bursts into a smile.
AL
I'd be delighted to.
TOYO
Thanks, Driver - love the voice by the way.
As the window rolls back up, Voso smugly looks towards her. She just crosses her arms and looks back out the window with a smirk on her face.
VOSO
Maybe I'll be the Avatar of convincing people.
MAKAMI
I can bend this car to a halt, you know.
VOSO
Not if it was made of rock, apparently.
She finally cracks, turning back towards him.
MAKAMI
(laughing)
I'm going to bury you in a tomb.
VOSO
Do we need to stop for a shovel?
TOYO
Oookaaayyy, now I feel like a third wheel...
CUT TO:
BEGIN MONTAGE
- Multiple automobiles arrive at the front of the Capitol City officials building. Coming out of their auto now is a meek, small woman in green, presumably the vassal leader of the Earth Kingdom.
- Over a group of open boxes of fried chicken and rice balls, Kin and Baki toast with clanking glasses. Zura is tearing into a massive leg of meat like an animal.
- Makami is laughing at Voso as the two are close again, walking down a red carpeted hallway with Fire Nation soldiers flanking them.
GRAND MASTER MEELO (O.S.)
Avatar!
Makami leaves Voso's side just for a moment to bow to Meelo, who is looking spry despite his age.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Marvelous to see you again. How was the ceremony?
MAKAMI
The honor is mine, and it was very brief and beautiful.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
And the statue is, I hope, satisfactory?
MAKAMI
Yes, yes, looks just like a younger me with better skin, heh. Oh, I don't think you've met Captain Voso, Leader of Foreign Secret Hush-Hushes.
Voso bows, but Meelo goes in for a handshake instead.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Ah, yes, an honor to meet you, Captain.
VOSO
Thank you, your grace. Do you know if the other diplomats have arrived?
GRAND MASTER MEELO
All accounted for, minus myself and the Avatar. Don't keep her too long. I hear there's a hummus fountain.
With that, the chuckling master turns and walks into the room, letting out a burst of noise before it closes again.
VOSO
I can't believe this is almost over.
MAKAMI
No kidding. Three years of stilted negotiations going out with a party.
VOSO
I might be able to stay here permanently.
MAKAMI
I might be able to fire Helga.
VOSO
Get a pet from this world.
MAKAMI
Read my old textbooks again.
They look to each other and entwine their fingers. Toyo is in the background walking towards them.
VOSO
Build a house.
MAKAMI
Hate the strange noises in the house.
VOSO
Together?
MAKAMI
Together.
They are coming together for a kiss.
TOYO
(clearing throat)
Did you know PDA was illegal under Fire Lord Bozai just a few short hundred years ago?
Both separate with annoyance on their faces.
TOYO
Imagine the utopia that must've been.
VOSO
Didn't Bozai burn entire fields of wheat on the word of a milk seer?
Toyo slaps his hands on both their shoulders, strategically wedged between them.
TOYO
Save the anecdotes for the speech, big guy. And in we go!
INT. CITY PARTY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The spirits are high in a sea of international colors. True to form, there is a hummus volcano moreso than fountain as well as several showy chefs preparing food as fast as it's taken.
Elsewhere in the room, Adachi shakes hands with Mako and an extremely-rested Khonsu.
Makami comes up from behind the old man and hugs him around the shoulders.
MAKAMI
(excitedly)
Adachi!
ADACHI
(happily)
Ah, Makami!
Looking over to Khonsu, the hummus that was on Adachi's plate has splashed upon his face, and he is using his tongue to clean up the mess.
ADACHI
Sorry, Khonsu...
Voso walks with Toyo down the line of food. Toyo isn't being shy with multiple stacks of everything.
TOYO
I hope there's a good dessert. I thought there was going to be a chocolate fountain?
VOSO
It got axed to satisfy the Earth delegation. We don't want anything going wrong tonight.
TOYO
I suppose not, but must we all suffer? Let's go get some great puffed choco-hams after this, hm? You, me, and Ami.
VOSO
You sure? You seemed uncomfortable earlier.
TOYO
Well, with you two eating dessert instead of each other's faces, it won't be an issue!
FIRE EMPEROR KOUICHI (O.S.)
Gentlemen!
Kouichi is behind a prepatory table slicing a large log of tied, roasted shish-ka-bobs. He slices the ropes and unrolls them like a ladder to the applause of a few onlookers.
KOUICHI
You two, come on over. What'll it be?
TOYO
I'll take three skewered rice rolls, sir.
VOSO
I didn't know you cooked, Emperor?
KOUICHI
A little side hobby of mine that I thought I'd turn into a show tonight. Hope you don't mind a little adult spice, boys.
He's pouring a sake bottle atop four grilling skewers. He scoops them up expertly before sliding them onto their plates.
KOUICHI
Special made for you both. Go enjoy yourselves.
VOSO
Thank you, sir.
The two turn away from the table. Voso notices a small scroll sticking out near the handle of his skewer. He looks to Toyo, who has one of the skewers mostly in his mouth, a scroll sticking out between his lips.
Voso turns and snatches the scroll out, unfurling it to show "Fuu-Ki calls. Tonight."
Voso and Toyo lock eyes as they hide the scrolls away.
VOSO
Maybe another night for the dessert?
TOYO
Yeah. Let's go eat.
Voso looks over to Makami, who is still with Adachi and the councilors. The three men look completely lost.
MAKAMI
..and the really interesting thing about YACs is that we can replicate up to a million base pairs worth of genetic sequencing to map the-
VOSO (O.S.)
Ami, found us a seat!
MAKAMI
Ah, excuse me - it was great to meet you all. Bye, Ada.
The three toast her leaving before locking eyes with the carpet to process what she said.
KHONSU
I'm going to get more hummus.
ADACHI
(grunting)
I'm going to lie down...
At the table, Makami slides next to Voso, passing around drinks.
MAKAMI
Did I see Kouichi behind a grill?
TOYO
Heh, yeah, he's serving up...
(sniffing his kabob)
Very adult food.
VOSO
Want one?
MAKAMI
Not if it smells like the inside of Shii's robes.
Applause breaks out around them as the row of Fire and Earth Nation diplomats line up behind the table.
MAKAMI
Oh, gotta go!
Kouichi, removing his chef outfit for vibrant red and gold robes, zips to the delegates' table. The small vassal, Chui-Phun, stands opposite him with no expression on her face at all. Makami slides in between them just as the two leaders shake hands, applauding gently.
The leaders all take their seats except for Kouichi.
KOUICHI
My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you for joining us on this historic day. Fire and earth have been at odds for far too long, and now, with the blessing of Avatar Makami, we set the world in balance again.
CHUI-PHUN
(monotone)
The Earth Kingdom thanks you for this grand event, but we have not come here to broker peace.
Chui-Phun retrieves a piece of paper from one of their aids as shock runs through the room.
CHUI-PHUN
(monotone)
This is a formal declaration of war.
KOUICHI
(shocked)
Excuse me?
The vassal immediately walks away from the table, sending the room into a frenzy. Makami moves after her quickly.
MAKAMI
You can't do this - this will end peace talks between the nations, and bring more death.
CHUI-PHUN
(monotone)
Avatar Makami...
She slowly turns with her eyes wide and blank.
CHUI-PHUN
(monotone)
We shall meet soon, and you will pay dearly for your crimes.
Her eyes flash a sickening green, leaving a shocked Makami behind.
CUT TO:
INT. EMPTY CAPITAL CITY PARTY HALL - LATE NIGHT
Makami, Voso, Kouichi, and Adachi are in various positions of thought amidst the remains of the party. Makami eats a pita chip with hummus while drawing imaginary numbers on a tablecloth with a long carrot.
ADACHI
(sighing)
All of this to lead to war anyways. What a waste of time and energy - energy we could've used to better our own people.
KOUICHI
I know, Adachi. I don't understand it either. Voso, your last report indicated their military was in shambles?
VOSO
Yes, sir. Only a few dozen mechs and tanks, and not enough pilots to go around. Even the palace guards are deserting.
MAKAMI
And the weapon?
VOSO
They do still have the parts to make them, but none are even remotely ready to fly.
KOUICHI
What are your thoughts, Avatar?
MAKAMI
I'm finishing my math now.
The carrot turns over like a pencil with an eraser, removing something from her mental state.
MAKAMI
Odds of victory for them are...one-in-nine-million-two-hundred-thousand-sixty...eight.
ADACHI
(rubbing his head)
What does that mean, exactly?
VOSO
That you're more likely to be eaten by a saber shark than the Earth Kingdom is to win this war.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
Not likely at all...
She turns to face them.
MAKAMI
That means there's an alternate win condition at play.
KOUICHI
Like suing for a better deal? We already met them more than halfway, reducing their penalties for the Inferno Night. I don't see what else I could've done.
ADACHI
You've worked tirelessly.
KOUICHI
Yes, sure, but I forgot to bring my heart to the negotiating table on more than one occasion. I delegated and did nothing far too often. Wrenches my heart to admit that out loud...
Makami stares hard into her plate while Voso walks over to extend his hand to Kouichi.
VOSO
I'm proud to have worked on this with you, sir. Even if it does come to war, we'll keep working. That's all we can do.
Kouichi takes his hand and stands, patting Voso on the shoulder.
KOUICHI
That we will. With your help as well, Avatar?
Makami stands with a sloppy smile on her face.
MAKAMI
I'll do everything I can to help.
ADACHI
Hold on a moment.
Everyone turns towards Adachi, who is holding the war document, scanning it closely.
ADACHI
This document doesn't declare war on the Fire Nation...
(dropping the page to reveal his face)
It declares war on the Avatar.
Makami looks shocked and more alone than ever.