EXT EARTH KINGDOM RIVER BANK - LATE AFTERNOON
Voso, Abe, Toyo and the others are tending to wounds. Voso's three allies pile up the very-bound scientists. Alrund is noticeably watching Voso from afar as he, Abe, and Toyo sit next to one of the cars.
VOSO
Bandage faster, Abe.
ABE
I could just, you know, do it the right way.
VOSO
No time.
He looks towards Alrund.
VOSO
(yelling)
AL!
She flinches at her name but still walks over.
ALRUND
Yes?
VOSO
(harshly)
Where were you? Why didn't you protect her?
ALRUND
(nervously)
I-I tried, but...but I fell-
VOSO
(quickly)
Convenient timing, wouldn't you say? I gave you a direct order to protect her no matter what.
ALRUND
I tried, but she and Pi-Ran fell into the water by time-
VOSO
(angrily)
Then you should've gone in after her!
TOYO
(soothing)
We were all too late, alright? You're free, so now we can focus on finding her.
Voso lets his eyes soften as they turn to Toyo.
VOSO
(calming)
Yeah, you're right.
ABE
(to Voso)
Done here - what's up with the people pile over there?
VOSO
They're who I was sent to find and extradite back to the island. Well, most of them. Still missing one.
ABE
They got a name?
VOSO
I don't know it.
ABE
(snorting)
That doesn't help.
Shii begins coughing off-screen as Abe stands up.
ABE
Lean back, old man, lemme take a look.
VOSO
Al, go help Yasuhiro load those people into the car.
Without hesitation, she spins and strides away, leaving him and Toyo alone.
TOYO
You keep very interesting company, buddy.
VOSO
Don't turn her in. She's a powerful ally.
TOYO
So I've noticed.
Toyo readjusts down, holding up his torn hat in dismay.
VOSO
(whispering)
Was it Fuu-Ki that sent you?
TOYO
(whispering)
Of course. He'll be glad to have you back.
VOSO
(whispering)
Don't tell him I'm free. I need to have free reign to look for Makami.
TOYO
(whispering)
I don't think you're going to get your wish. He...has a way of knowing your mind. Plus, our other ally is in a bit of a bind as I understand it.
VOSO
(whispering)
Buy me time, Kin-Ki. I'll owe you.
Toyo smiles as his hat plops back to his head.
TOYO
(whispering)
You will indeed.
(louder)
Let's load up these cars, shall we?
Voso moves towards his group while Toyo helps Shii up off a rock.
VOSO
(to Kozan)
Bring them to the harbor. I'll meet you there.
All three of them enter the car, but Alrund stays standing next to him.
ALRUND
One of them knows who I am - the woman.
VOSO
So does Toyo. And Makami.
ALRUND
No, she-
VOSO
She's the smartest person alive, Al, she knows. And she accepts you because...
He wipes at his mouth angrily.
VOSO
(sighing)
Where does this river empty?
ALRUND
Woo-Long Bay, by the Air Capital.
VOSO
You and I are going there. We'll take everyone but my other agents.
ALRUND
The last missing scientist...if I tell you who they are, I want a reward.
He turns to her with cold eyes.
VOSO
(whispering)
I could just make you tell me.
ALRUND
But I'm hoping you're as good a person as Makami believes you are.
He looks over his shoulder quickly.
VOSO
(whispering)
On my word, you'll be adequately rewarded.
She lets a smirk come and go from her face.
ALRUND
When I was in charge of the program, Pi-Ran was a failed political opponent of my sister. He was a lab assistant until my sister made me promote him. He was in the room for every major decision.
VOSO
So we need to find him for more than just Makami's safety.
ALRUND
What...what is he now?
VOSO
Dangerous.
CUT TO:
EXT BENEATH THE WAVES
Makami is losing air as she does battle with Pi-Ran's tentacles. Her hands slice through the water, creating a bulb of air around her head. She gasps before sending the blast of air into Pi-Ran's face.
He tumbles down an expanded column of void beneath the water as Makami bends the ocean away. She dives down, snatching coral chunks to slam against Pi-Ran's many arms.
She bolts herself down into a kick to his mid-section, then follows with icy spikes that the tentacles shatter. Makami creates a spear of fire, plunging down with it while the air pops around the blade.
He lands on a coral shelf and rolls out of the way towards an edge. She lands as well with the spear disappearing.
PI-RAN
Can you feel it, Avatar?
She raises her hands above her head, palms flat.
PI-RAN
(menacingly)
The weight of it all?
She brings her hands down, dismantling part of their haven and letting the weight of the ocean splash through Pi-Ran. His platform gives way and he falls, but a tentacle snaps at Makami's ankle and drags her out of her air bubble.
He pulls her close as they both lose oxygen, smiling menacingly. Then, a purple light surrounds them before they are completely gone.
CUT TO:
INT CABBAGE CORP HALLWAYS - DAY
Zura walks with an open folder in one hand and a very large thermos in another filled to the brim with some foaming drink. She jams her shoulder into one of her underlings, dropping the file to maintain control over her thermos.
WORKER 1
(quickly)
Letmegetthatforyouma'am!
They are down and back up in a flash, the folder closed and the worker bowing slightly as they hand it back.
ZURA
Thanks!
They place a single wrapped candy on top while backing away.
WORKER 1
Of course, my liege.
Zura furrows her brow for a moment, then continues her walk.
INT CABBAGE CORP STENOPOOL - CONTINUOUS
She glides through with a tune humming off her lips. A line-up of workers meets her at the corner of her office.
WORKER 2
Here's that report you wanted, ma'am.
ZURA
Good.
WORKER 3
I typed up that call sheet for you, ma'am.
ZURA
Neat.
WORKER 4
Your hair works so well with that top.
Zura pivots on her heel with a sly look.
ZURA
You win today and can have coffee.
The worker looks positively ecstatic as she steps forward with her chin held high.
WORKER 4
(loudly)
ALL HAIL ZURA - LONG MAY SHE REIGN!
ALL
(loudly)
LONG MAY SHE REIGN!
Zura backs into her office as the workers throw confetti.
ZURA
Yes, yes, well done all!
INT ZURA'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
She shuts the door with her hip, smirking to Kin in the background. The former boss stares back with dead eyes.
ZURA
(happily)
Ah, I love the workers here. Everyone's so willing to pitch in.
KIN
To kissing your behind?
ZURA
Someone sounds like she wants to stay late cleaning the confetti.
KIN
Hardly.
ZURA
(laughing)
I'm kidding! I hear you have some special plans tonight anyways, huh?
KIN
You need to seek respect from your team, Zura. You can't just reap their adulation endlessly.
ZURA
Why not? I like it and they like giving it. You hired great people.
KIN
Sooner or later, they will come looking for their reward for all of this ground worship, and there's only one reward you can give them.
ZURA
A pizza party?
KIN
(sighing)
Promotions. Are you going to promote them all to the same position?
ZURA
(chortling)
Can you imagine?
KIN
Have you even hired your replacement?
ZURA
Yes ma'am, I did.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT ZURA'S OLD OFFICE
Sitting behind the desk is Makami's old assistant Helga, verrrryyyy slowly operating a stapler while a clock audibly ticks away in the background.
CUT TO:
INT ZURA'S OFFICE
Zura chews on a pencil eraser like a cigar while Kin holds her head up with her hand and anchored elbow.
KIN
Zura, I don't think you're taking this as seriously as you need to be.
ZURA
What? I've never been more serious. You're just mad because I don't follow everything you say.
KIN
I have been in your position. Does that not make my advice invaluable?
ZURA
(chuckling)
Well, you never got to this level, ya know? The super-business-sky-toucher-owner level like me.
Kin stands abruptly with her purse clutched in both hands.
KIN
(quietly)
I'm going to lunch.
She whips open the door.
KIN
(sharply)
If you'll not listen to my advice, you'd better find whose advice you will listen to before it costs you this job.
Kin shuts the door harshly, leaving Zura leaned back in her chair. She spins while looking at the ceiling a few times, snatching the phone off the cradle.
ZURA
Hey, switchboard? Bring pizza - lots of pizza.
CUT TO:
INT AIR NATION TEACHING COLLEGE - DAY
Master Paya is in front of a small amphitheater filled with students taking copious notes. He draws lines on a chalkboard with a long stick.
MASTER PAYA
Just as an air bender must find and react to the currents in the air, you must be ready to navigate the complex world of international interest and law.
He turns back as someone comes down the stairs towards him from an open door.
MASTER PAYA
That is why every air bender that wants to become a litigator walks through my door a failure. Earn your way into my good graces.
STUDENT AID
(whispering)
I'm sorry, sir, but there's a delegation here.
MASTER PAYA
A delegation? Who?
CUT TO:
EXT AIR NATION CAPITAL MAIN SQUARE - DAY
Alrund, Toyo, and Abe ride upward jets of air from three giggling air bender children.
TOYO
(shouting)
I'd...prefer my feet...on the ground!
ABE
(shouting)
You heard him kids, send us higher!
ALRUND
(nervously)
No, I'm afraid of-!
All three shoot up higher, leaving Voso and Shii to look around the square. Shii nudges the hardy statue of Makami.
SHII
(mumbling)
Full circle.
VOSO
What do you mean?
SHII
Oh, just the Air Nation loved Korra and owed her much. Now, there's a new queen in marble.
VOSO
(growling)
That we should be looking for.
MASTER PAYA (O.S.)
Gentlemen...
Paya walks in with his fists curled at his side. Grand Master Meelo bows from next to him, followed stiffly by Paya.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
It's good to see you both again.
SHII
We are here on dire business.
VOSO
Have you seen Makami? She may have washed up on the shore, or been seen by any of the villagers?
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Not that I've heard - why would she be washing up on any shore?
Voso climbs Makami's statue.
SHII
It's a long story.
VOSO
(shouting)
EVERYONE! WE ARE HERE LOOKING FOR AVATAR MAKAMI! PLEASE COME FORWARD WITH ANY-!
MASTER PAYA
(harshly)
Will you restrain your boy, Shii!?
SHII
He's not my boy.
VOSO
And that's Captain Boy to you, Paya.
Voso comes down to speak with some approaching people.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(concerned)
How long has she been missing?
SHII
Half a day now. She was fighting...something. I believe it was a spirit.
MASTER PAYA
(bitterly)
Nonsense.
He turns sharply away.
MASTER PAYA
I have a class to teach.
Shii stands with Meelo as the master shakes his head.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(sighing)
I'm afraid he's under a lot of pressure right now. We are...pondering the events of the world now that our city is nearing completion.
SHII
Surely you won't stand against the Avatar in this farcical war?
Meelo shuffles his fingers across prayer beads.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(regretfully)
It's all so muddy now, Kai - ah, I'm sorry. I just can't see the straight path ahead anymore.
SHII
Follow your heart, Meelo. It hasn't let you down yet.
VOSO
(shouting)
Hey!
They look over to his wave.
VOSO
(shouting)
Someone may have seen footprints! I'll head down to the banks!
Shii coughs as he waves. Meelo pulls out a large, corked canteen made of smooth bone.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
I thought of you when one of our scientists put this together.
The cork satisfyingly plunks out of the gourd.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Take it in.
SHII
(sniffing)
Well, how bad-
He recoils and coughs again, much to Meelo's delight.
SHII
(coughing)
What...is that what I think it is?
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(sheepishly)
Oh, I couldn't possibly describe its contents. I just named it very appropriately for its off-putting smell and acquired taste...
Shii recovers and awaits Meelo's punchline.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Paya Punch!
He smiles widely while holding up the jug.
SHII
(mumbling)
It must burn the very air...
GRAND MASTER MEELO
This journey is one you must take yourself, my friend.
Meelo hands him the corked jug.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Unless, of course, you want to share it with its namesake...?
SHII
(grunting)
Always trying to rebuild.
Meelo giggles as they both walk out of the courtyard. In the skies above, three gliders piloted by the air bender children fly by with Toyo, Alrund, and Abe locked tight. Abe enjoys their time while the earth benders look horrified.