INT NORTHERN AIR TEMPLE TREASURE ROOM - FLASHBACK
A child in a covered hoodie is knelt in front of a pair of closing doors. The hoodie is old with frayed edges and the telltale orange of the Air Nomad kingdom. The closing doors reveal the arrows of the four winds chiseled into ancient stone.
The hood comes back to reveal a small child picking his nose. This is a very young Aang, looking up and letting his eyes grow wide.
YOUNG AANG
(excited)
Woooowwwww!
He looks off into a very cluttered chamber, filled along every wall, floor, and ceiling with handmade toys. Most of them are hewn from the wood of the area, all of them worn to uniformity, as one must have when testing for the newest Avatar.
Standing between Aang and the toys is MONK GYATSO (45). He smiles widely with his arms out to either side. His head and hands reveal the blue arrows that mark complete mastery over the air.
GYATSO
You've never been in here, have you, Aang?
YOUNG AANG
(desperately)
Nuh-uh, Master Gyatso, I swear!
(seething playfully)
Now please let me touch all of the toyyssss!
GYATSO
(chuckling)
Are you sure you want to play with these toys?
YOUNG AANG
(about to burst)
YES, YES, I'LL DO CHORES FOR A WEEK!
GYATSO
I'll take that deal.
Aang springs past Gyatso, but the old mentor snatches his hood to hold him back.
GYATSO
Not so fast, young nomad.
Aang backflips to the ground with air bending, tapping his feet like he has to pee.
GYATSO
What does becoming a master of air take?
YOUNG AANG
Uh, uh, um - oh, discipline!?
GYATSO
Yes indeed. Think of this as an exercise in discipline.
He waves his hand backwards towards the room.
GYATSO
These toys were created by my master, and her master, and her master's master until the beginning of bending itself. They are precious relics that many air benders have looked to for comfort in harsh times. Try, if you can, to hear the history between the wooden seams. Feel the love and care put into each rounded edge.
He looks sharply at Aang.
GYATSO
And don't break anything.
YOUNG AANG
(calming)
I won't not not try to break them.
His smile springs widely, cracking up Gyatso for a short time.
In the background, Makami now stands, looking on at small Aang with a smile and her hands in her pockets.
GYATSO
(jolly)
Then you'd better not get caught!
He and Aang share a warm laugh while Makami sits on the opening stoop.
GYATSO
One last thing to remember - you can only pick four toys at a time. Deal?
YOUNG AANG
Super deal!
GYATSO
Off you go then.
As Aang launches forward, he is suddenly accompanied by dozens of phantasms, each of other air benders that were Avatar. Each of them spring energetically as carefree children that see nothing but a pile of toys.
Makami stands as all of them eventually converge upon one toy in particular, then another.
She opens her mouth to scream no, but nothing comes out. Stepping forward, she is blocked by a barrier that she pounds on.
All of them have the third toy as she thrashes. Through their childish bounding, all of them reach for the same final toy.
CUT TO:
INT ADACHI'S HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Makami jolts awake next to Adachi's bed, scaring Zura away from her meal. They both look at each other for a moment.
ZURA
Bad dream?
MAKAMI
(grunting)
They're just toys...
She shrugs off the jacket over her shoulder and stands, peering out the open door.
MAKAMI
Anything new?
ZURA
Not in here. Your hubby's got security.
She leans out to see.
MAKAMI
And Shii?
She shrugs with hospital food funneling down her throat.
MAKAMI
You make that food look tasty.
ZURA
(gulping)
Eh, I'm just really hungry.
MAKAMI
I think I am too. You think they do room service?
ZURA
I don't think anything's going to fall apart if you leave for a few minutes.
She nods, but turns back to the room.
MAKAMI
I can wait a little longer. I should check on Shii.
ZURA
Shii is fine, Makami. They have doctors here, you know?
MAKAMI
(sharply)
Yeah, and you haven't told me yet how one of them ended up hurt while treating you.
ZURA
(angsty)
I was kidnapped, not treated.
MAKAMI
(sarcastically)
Clearly. Being fed well is a sign of kidnapping.
ZURA
Hey, I'm here willingly now.
MAKAMI
(loudly)
Yeah, and why is that again, hm? Guilty over something, Zura?
ZURA
(coldly)
I'm here because half of my friends are hurt trying to help you.
Makami shakes her head dismissively.
MAKAMI
(bitterly)
You know what's so easy about being a job-hopping nobody? You can just blame the Avatar for all of your troubles.
She spins and storms out without another word. Zura is left staring into her food, looking up at Adachi with a bitter frown.
NANDAKA (O.S.)
(male echoing)
Why didn't you connect me to Raava? We must speak for the sake of the planet.
ZURA
(angrily)
Just shut up, okay? Leave me alone.
CUT TO:
INT SHII'S HOSPITAL ROOM
Shii tries to untangle a mess of wires attached to his many machines as Makami storms in, taking a deep breath. Kin sits stiffly on the couch like an animal trying to avoid a predator.
MAKAMI
Kin.
KIN
Makami.
SHII
(muffled)
And me makes three?
She comes over to his side with a smile.
MAKAMI
Everything's happening in threes lately, huh? How are you feeling?
SHII
(muffled)
Oh, I'm ready whenever you need me. I'll be up training Kin and Kota before long too.
MAKAMI
Training them, huh?
KIN
(clearing throat)
He...we had asked him to train us to defend ourselves.
MAKAMI
(sarcastically)
Well, who could blame you for what happened then?
SHII
(muffled)
Stop it, Makami.
(to Kin)
I'm fine - really, Kin. I've been ill for a long time. You have nothing to do with this.
KIN
(softly)
Thank you.
She stands up with her briefcase unbuckled.
KIN
I was going to wait for Baki, but I should go early, I think.
Her hand materializes the original manuscript for the up-coming book. She is freely handing it to Makami.
KIN
This is what you're looking for. Take it.
MAKAMI
(suspiciously)
And what is in this?
KIN
(quietly)
Terrible things that are about to become a news story across the world. This book will hit the market in a week.
Makami takes the book, turning it to read the title - "The Small Decision'.
KIN
Fuu-Ki is mentioned copiously, and his accomplices. My research notes are in the back.
Makami opens it immediately.
MAKAMI
And they're named?
KIN
Code names only. Even so, I hope you can find a clue to stop what's coming.
CUT TO:
INT ADACHI'S HOSPITAL ROOM
Baki enters the room with a few bags in hand while Adachi stirs. Zura stands to help her mother with dead eyes.
BAKI
Morning, old timer. Got your bags here.
ADACHI
(grumbling)
Thank you, Baki.
ZURA
(quietly)
You didn't have to, Mom.
BAKI
Yeah, well, I should've brought help.
She grunts while the bed shakes beneath the bags coming down.
BAKI
You picked some heavy stuff to have me bring. What's in that black plastic case, bricks? Or your little statue collection?
ADACHI
(embarrassed)
I'm sure I don't know...which bag has that case?
He goes searching while Baki brings some hair out of Zura's face, but she flinches away.
BAKI
You okay? Get any sleep?
ZURA
(mumbling)
Don't touch me, Mom.
BAKI
Oh stop, you're not old enough to get away from me yet. Makami isn't either.
ZURA
(sharply)
You should let her get away.
Adachi pulls out the case, eyeing Zura carefully.
BAKI
Where's all this anger coming from?
ZURA
Why don't you go ask the queen? She's probably basking in making Kin upset too in the next room.
Baki swallows hard, turning to Adachi, who taps on the case.
BAKI
I think Zura and I will give you some privacy, Adachi. Want anything from the cafeteria?
ADACHI
The doctors refuse to give me bean juice.
BAKI
I'll get some extra strong.
Adachi pops open the case, seeing documents and a few pictures. Zura doesn't look back as she exits with her mother.
ADACHI
(mumbling)
Take your time.
FLASHBACK TO:
INT CHAMBER OF TUI AND LA - NORTHERN WATER TRIBE
Inside of a large ice gorge, there is a long line of hopeful, youthful water benders running across a small bridge to the base of a lone, vibrant tree. At the base of that tree is a water nation attendant reading from a scroll next to a small pond.
OFFICIAL
(shouting)
The following actions are forbidden in the presence of Tui and La: No eating, snorting, burping, or farting! Do not touch the water with your filthy child hands! Finally, do not jump the line!
(to the first in line)
You, go!
A small girl steps up, looking nervously down at the water. The spirits of the moon - the fish La and Tui - rest gently inside the small pond.
OFFICIAL
If, when you bend the water like waves, La and Tui respond, you will be pulled aside for further tests. You may commence.
She pushes and pulls the water in simple waves, but the fish do nothing but bob with the current.
OFFICIAL
(shouting)
Next!
Makami appears before the pond, watching closely as face after face comes through and fails to illicit a reaction from the two fish.
One young man walks up and turns up to the top of the gorge. Peering down from the edge far above is YOUNG KURUK, giving a thumbs up to the boy now at the pond.
BOY
(hamming it up)
Oh, how ever will I succeed where so many have failed?
(swooning)
Oh, will this be where my dreams wither like a leaf!?
OFFICIAL
(impatiently)
Just go.
Makami watches Kuruk high above, waving her arms back and forth as he prepares to mimic his friend's movement. His friend rocks back and forth, moving the two spirit fish to glow and swim in the daylight, much to the shock of everyone.
OFFICIAL
(quietly)
I...you...you can...?
Makami sees Kuruk being surrounded by guards up above, her voice still vacant from her throat.
CUT TO:
INT HOSPITAL CAFETERIA
Baki gently shakes Makami's shoulder to wake her up. The pages of the manuscript are scattered on the table beneath a grey tray of food. There's no one else besides the cafeteria worker behind a sneeze guard.
BAKI
(gently)
Ami? Ami?
Makami sits up with a piece of fried fish stuck to her forehead. Baki peels it off while Makami takes a napkin to her forehead.
BAKI
Did you eat some of this before it became headwear?
MAKAMI
(groaning)
Yeah, I think so - hey, Mom.
BAKI
Mind if I sit?
She slides down while Makami moves the tray and collects the pages.
BAKI
Shii told me what Kin did, and that you were a little snot to her.
MAKAMI
I've got bigger things to worry about than her feelings towards me.
BAKI
And Shii's feelings?
MAKAMI
He's a big boy, Mom.
BAKI
And Zura's? She's ticked at you too. What did you do to her?
Makami orders the pages heavily against the desk.
MAKAMI
Your point being?
BAKI
How many people are you going to push away from you to make all of this easier?
MAKAMI
As many as I need to.
She lets the pages slap back to the table.
MAKAMI
I'd rather them hate me until the world is safe than the world not be safe and they love me.
BAKI
Wow, that is...incredibly dumb for someone so smart.
MAKAMI
(shrugging)
It works. One is a larger number than its fractions - if I'm scattered, I can't be at full strength.
BAKI
And those of us that love you and can't just turn that off? Doesn't matter as long as we're alive?
Makami looks away, unable to answer for a moment.
MAKAMI
(softly)
Don't do this, alright? This isn't some family visit or talking to the dean of a good school. I cannot fail here.
BAKI
And my motherly truth for the day is that if you succeed and everyone hates you, then you have failed, Makami.
MAKAMI
What are you afraid of, Mom? What do you...
Makami lets her back hit the chair in realization.
MAKAMI
(softly)
I'm not him - I'm not going to just abandon the family like Dad.
BAKI
(laughing bitterly)
You've never been more like him, sweetie.
Baki stands up from the table.
BAKI
(harshly)
Your sister has a spirit inside of her, somehow, and Kin just called me in tears, so if you could handle not burning one of those bridges, we mere humans would sure appreciate it.
MAKAMI
(softly)
Have Zura come down here. It's about to be busy upstairs, and I don't know who I can trust right now.
Baki doesn't nod. She just turns and walks away quickly.