The Last Avatar

by SimpleShutIn

A sequel to Last Airbender and Korra, the way of bending has changed with the world, and the Avatar is...forgotten? Meet some new and old characters that wrestle with a new world's political, personal, and supernatural troubles. The format is in screenplay, so forgive me if that's odd for some people to follow. Feel free to tell me about it in a review!

37. Chapter 37

EXT. CAPITOL CITY OFFICIALS BUILDING - LATE NIGHT

Makami emerges from the building alone with an automobile awaiting her. Voso jogs out a few strides behind.

VOSO

(loudly)

Wait, wait, Ami...

MAKAMI

Waiting time is over, Voso.

VOSO

Nothing bad is going to happen in the next thirty seconds.

He slides in front of her, catching his breath.

VOSO

(panting)

So please, just wait.

MAKAMI

(quickly)

I'm counting.

VOSO

(sighing)

You don't have to take this seriously. No one's ever actually declared war on a single person, and no one's ever bested an Avatar.

MAKAMI

(laughing bitterly)

Very, extremely, profoundly untrue.

VOSO

Chui-Phun declaring war on you puts you in a bind. If you go as a diplomat, you're putting yourself in danger. If you go as a warrior, you're Makami the Warlord!

MAKAMI

(bitterly)

I am already in danger. While I'm here, my loved ones are in danger too - oh, and there are spirits also trying to maim me! Oh, and past Avatars have decided to abandon me to my own devices. What a great start to the week for me!

VOSO

But-

MAKAMI

No, I have to leave, Voso.

VOSO

No, you have to hide. Those aren't the same thing.

MAKAMI

Where do I do that on this island? My mom's basement?

VOSO

You're not being logical about this. Flushing you out into the world away from allies-

MAKAMI

Keeps them safe! Keeps all of you safe!

VOSO

But not you!

The two of them reset, realizing the emotion in the air is unhelpful.

MAKAMI

(softly)

I can't stay at the grounds, and I have nowhere else to go. You're going to be sent back to Ba-Sing-Se to calm all this down, so you can't be here to fight with me.

VOSO

That's why I want to make sure you're as safe as you can be before we have to go our separate ways...again.

MAKAMI

(softly)

Voso...

VOSO

Give me an hour - two! You have to pack anyways, right? Al will take you back, hold on!

He runs around to the driver's seat of the car where Al awaits. Her billed hat covers her face, and she only spares him a glance as he approaches. He grabs her wrist firmly.

VOSO

(whispering harshly)

You will take Makami back to the grounds and anywhere else she needs to go. You will train her to be an earth bending master, and you will protect her with your life. Tell me you understand.

Al lifts her head up to reveal herself as Alrund, the former advisor for the Earth Kingdom. Her eyes twitch as her mouth struggles against the words.

ALRUND

I understand.

VOSO

(whispering)

And you'll tell her nothing about me or my power.

Alrund can only nod.

Voso jogs around and opens the back door while the engine starts. Makami hesitates before coming towards the portal.

MAKAMI

An hour is all I can spare.

VOSO

I'll meet you at the grounds in an hour with a plan.

MAKAMI

Okay.

She sits down and he leans over, both with emotional faces.

VOSO

You know, no matter where I am, I'll always be fighting for you, right?

MAKAMI

I do. I hope there's a day when we don't have to fight.

They come together in a kiss before he closes the door and watches the car drive away.

After a moment, he looks back to the balcony above.

CUT TO:

INT. KOUICHI'S CHAMBERS - LATE NIGHT

Kouichi stands with his hands behind his back peering out into the night. Toyo is seated with his foot tapping nervously as the door opens inwards. Voso enters with wary eyes.

VOSO

Sir, what's this-?

Kouichi holds up a finger as he turns, bringing the finger to his lips first. Then, he places it against the side of his temple.

FUU-KI (O.S.)

(echoing)

Welcome, my friends.

Voso looks around while Toyo looks up, all of them hearing the voice at once.

FUU-KI (O.S.)

(echoing)

All of you have been chosen for your loyalty and talents to help save this planet from itself. This selfless aim will bring each nation into an eternal harmony. I am Fuu-Ki. Speaking in public, you shall henceforth have these monikers...

Kouichi straightens.

FUU-KI (O.S.)

(echoing)

Kouichi is known as Ongyo-Ki.

Toyo stands straight, his face reserved.

FUU-KI (O.S.)

(echoing)

Toyo shall be Kin-Ki.

Voso has his fists balled with stress as he peers up.

FUU-KI (O.S.)

(echoing)

And Voso shall be Sui-Ki. Together, we will move mountains softly, slowly, and with always the end goal in our sights. The path is long, my friends, but together, the corrupted heart of the human world will be cleansed.

VOSO

Fuu-Ki, where are you?

FUU-KI (O.S.)

(echoing)

I shall reveal myself as our goals come closer. For now, know that mine is the hand driving many of the world's events.

TOYO

How do we know that?

FUU-KI (O.S.)

(echoing)

It was I who orchestrated the Earth Vassal's declaration of war, Kin-Ki.

VOSO

(surprised)

What? Why would you do that? You put Makami at risk!

FUU-KI (O.S.)

(echoing)

Patience, Sui-Ki. Our work requires the cover of darkness, and nothing clouds so fully as a foolish war. No harm will come to her as long as we all complete our tasks.

KOUICHI

Which are?

FUU-KI (O.S.)

(echoing)

Sui-Ki, you will locate the top scientists in the Earth Kingdom and extract them with Ongyo-Ki's help. Kin-Ki, you will lead the Avatar and her group into the tunnels of the Fire Sage Palace on Crescent Moon Island. You and your sages are to guard her with your lives.

TOYO

Yes, of course.

FUU-KI (O.S.)

(echoing)

Ongyo-Ki, you are to maintain the appearance of helping the Earth Kingdom locate the Avatar. This will allow Sui-Ki's work to go unnoticed. Once the scientists are on Fire Nation soil, we will meet again.

VOSO

Wait!

There is dead air in the room until Kouichi comes forward.

KOUICHI

We have our orders.

VOSO

And you just take them without hesitation? You, out of all of us?

KOUICHI

I do.

He stares dourly out the window to the quieting, steaming city.

KOUICHI

That voice has given me sound council in a world bereft of trustworthy voices. I amassed my fortune through it, and avoided death more than once. Fuu-Ki has earned my trust.

He turns back.

KOUICHI

And you would both be wise beyond your years to treat his voice like the cherished secret it is.

TOYO

We do, sir.

VOSO

Yes...

KOUICHI

Good. Alert me to any issues as you work. Where is the Avatar now?

VOSO

On her way to her compound. I'll direct her to Crescent Moon Island.

TOYO

She's not going to just go.

KOUICHI

Why not?

VOSO

She will. Trust me.

(to Toyo)

You just keep her safe.

Kouichi and Toyo share a look before the emperor nods.

KOUICHI

Then go, be quick.

Voso is out of the room in a quick walk. Toyo lingers.

KOUICHI

Kin-Ki, on your way out, send along some extra incentive for the Avatar to leave.

TOYO

And here I thought we were equals now in the eyes of Fuu-Ki?

A dead-eyed stare is all that meets Toyo, moving him to bow out of the room.

TOYO

Yes, sir.

Toyo bows his way out of the room while Kouichi stands like a statue at the window.