INT CAPITAL CITY OFFICIALS ROOM - NIGHT
Kouichi reads a paper with his dinner half-eaten on the table. He lets the top-half fall down as the intercom buzzes loudly.
SECRETARY
(indistinguishable)
Srb? Youb harb a cayb.
KOUICHI
What was that?
SECRETARY
(indistinguishable)
Youb harb a cayb, srb. It's Brindauk.
KOUICHI
Patch it through.
Speckles of static fill the room for a moment.
KOUICHI
Brindauk, are you there?
BRINDAUK (O.S.)
(telephone)
Yes, Kouichi? Sorry about the reception.
KOUICHI
Nonsense, this technology is a flawless-
A high whine causes him to wince.
KOUICHI
-gift. Awful early in the Metropolis, isn't it?
BRINDAUK (O.S.)
Who knows? The sun never sets this time of year, so everyone just sleeps when they want. Anyways, I wanted to talk to you before I went public...
KOUICHI
Oh? What are you about to let out into the wild?
BRINDAUK (O.S.)
This war with the Avatar-
KOUICHI
A simple misunderstanding that I'm in the process of undoing.
BRINDAUK (O.S.)
Is that so? You're speaking with the Earth delegation? I'd heard they'd left your embassy in a bit of a huff.
KOUICHI
All smoke up the chimney, Brindauk.
BRINDAUK (O.S.)
I've spoken to my counterpart, Akna, in the south, and she and I are in agreement-
KOUICHI
Well, I'm glad we are all on the same page.
BRINDAUK (O.S.)
No, we agree with each other. We will not openly support the Avatar in this war until we understand-
KOUICHI
(flustered)
There's nothing to understand here. This is a power play to change the conversation away from-
BRINDAUK (O.S.)
Are you giving her your support publicly?
KOUICHI
(hesitant)
I'm not prepared to make any public statement.
BRINDAUK (O.S.)
Then sit this one out, Akna and I are moving ahead. Enjoy your dinner, Kouichi.
The phone slams down, leaving Kouichi to stare at his fire cakes and sl-acon (slightly burnt bacon).
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
You have your doubts.
KOUICHI
No, I trust you.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Do you not trust Sui-Ki will be freed in time?
KOUICHI
This is a dangerous position he's put us in. He's reckless, and Kin-Ki has a spotty record at best.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Kin-Ki deserves your faith, and Sui-Ki needs to be reckless. I need a blade that can strike fear into one such as Pi-Ran. Sui-Ki can fight back against invisible foes.
KOUICHI
Or be caught by them. I've attained this position through your will and my careful planning. Chaos musses every well-placed hair on my head.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
You are in your place, he is in his. Trust the boy. He will further our plans to their completion.
KOUICHI
I will...if he makes it out in time.
CUT TO:
EXT SPIRIT PLANE
Voso's spirit is gripped harshly at the wrists and ankles by the green energy from Pi-Ran's hands. The spirits are in the background, still unconscious.
PI-RAN
You've got some power in you, boy, but you don't see how much stronger you could be, do you?
Voso hovers closer, his body turning into a map of his spiritual power again. Pi-Ran points to one of the large bulbs of power emanating from his chest.
PI-RAN
Your heart chakra is blocked. You have all of your energy there - why I wonder? Is it guilt? Isolation?
Voso's eyes open with blood-shot veins of effort.
PI-RAN
Come on now. Give me your secrets!
He screams in pain.
CUT TO:
EXT EARTH KINGDOM OUTSIDE BA-SING-SE - MORNING
Voso's three henchmen are lounging around two vehicles. Yasuhiro tans with a trio of mirrors in the early sun. Ju-Fen and Kozan play hangman in the dirt.
The rumble of the ground brings them all to attention, Yasuhiro throws aside his mirrors while the other two kick at the dirt. By time the rumbling is close, they stand stoically in front of their cars, watching Makami and crew come to a stop a few dozen feet away.
SHII
(whispering to Toyo)
Can you believe your eyes?
TOYO
(whispering)
Hardly. Haven't seen either of them since we high-tailed it out of town with Makami.
SHII
(whispering)
They look wind-beaten. Like leather jackets.
ABE
We can take'em.
TOYO
No, they're meant to take us to Voso.
MAKAMI
Let's see what they know.
Makami steps up first with Toyo and Alrund on either side of her.
MAKAMI
Are you're who we're supposed to meet?
Yasuhiro hands her the same wrinkled note he gave to Voso.
MAKAMI
They can't speak.
Another note passes over.
MAKAMI
Yes, I'm the Avatar. Do you know where he is?
KOZAN
(signing)
How do we know?
Makami watches Abe and Alrund both step forward, their hand movements mirrored.
They give each other dirty looks.
MAKAMI
You both know sign language?
ABE
From some co-workers at the water park, yeah.
ALRUND
From family.
YASUHIRO
(signing)
Prove it.
ABE
He'd like a show.
Makami steps forward.
MAKAMI
(voice rising)
We are in a hurry, so for every joule of wasted energy-
The earth rises in pillars around them.
MAKAMI
(voice rising)
-you make me expend here-
Her arms spread, hailing a gust of wind that pelts them all with sand.
MAKAMI
(shouting)
-you will make up for threefold in assistance!
KOZAN
(signing)
Okay, okay, okay.
Makami snorts fire from her nostrils.
MAKAMI
(grunting)
Where is he?
CUT TO:
EXT HOOD OF A CAR - MORNING
A map of the Earth Kingdom with a circle near the edge of Ba-Sing-Se is on the hood of one of the cars. Alrund's finger runs along a river just north of the circle.
ALRUND
These three say Voso was taken in the night headed towards this river. Following the footprints, they lost the trail here. I think he's here - an underground desalination plant. It gives Ba-Sing-Se its water now, but was a prison during the war.
SHII
A prison? Whom did the Earth Kingdom have to imprison outside the walls?
ALRUND
A Fire Nation prison.
ABE
Yeah, but V isn't a slouch - he's a decent water slinger now.
ALRUND
This prison was built for water benders - some old captives from the great jungle. After the war, it was retrofitted to bring in salt water from the coast to clean it. Still, it's industrial and isolated. The location makes sense.
MAKAMI
You know where the entrance is?
Alrund lets their eye-contact linger before turning away.
ALRUND
No, I've never been there. Just a bunch of rumors.
SHII
If we get close enough, we should see an intake chute near the river. That should be one way in.
KOZAN
(signing)
We can break any lock.
ABE
They say they can get us in.
MAKAMI
Then let's go.
She is off the hood. Alrund ends up in eye-contact with Ju-Fen, who has a mischievous smile.
ALRUND
What?
JU-FEN
(signing)
I know you.
ALRUND
(signing)
Get moving.
She lets their locked eyes hold until Ju-Fen walks away with a wide smile.
Toyo walks up beside Alrund with a more playful look.
TOYO
You're a well of useful info, huh?
ALRUND
I do what I can.
TOYO
Tell me, how does one become so intimately-?
ALRUND
Rumors I heard from old workmates. I suggest you listen more often.
Alrund walks away, entering one of the cars.
TOYO
(mumbling)
I'm listening...
CUT TO:
EXT ASTRAL PLANE
Pi-Ran's fingers are clutched around the large ball of energy in Voso's chest. Voso's blue hue fights against the lavender intrusion from his adversary.
PI-RAN
(struggling)
What are you protecting, boy?! Tell me your pain! Tell me your secrets, and they'll simply wash away!
Voso looks at his spirit friends with surprise as two of them approach from behind Pi-Ran. The spirits latch to his head, distracting Pi-Ran enough to release Voso's wrists.
PI-RAN
(surprised)
How are they-!?
Voso snatches at the man's head with both hands.
VOSO
(shouting)
Tell me your secrets!
Pi-Ran screams as he is overwhelmed, the view moving into his eye.
INT PI-RAN'S MEMORIES - CONTINUOUS
Voso falls through a dark sky, looking down upon a young Pi-Ran on a street, selling glasses of colorful, thick juice from a melting block of ice surrounded by fruit rinds on the ground. A person in a brown robe is knelt down for a cup.
YOUNG PI-RAN
You want some, mister?
MYSTERIOUS PERSON
Yes, please. Mmm. What's your secret?
YOUNG PI-RAN
(laughing)
I pull the fruit myself!
Voso splashes through a white barrier.
INT PI-RAN'S SECOND TIER OF MEMORIES - CONTINUOUS
Voso plummets as Pi-Ran, now in his teenage years, wipes a table in a bar. A faceless patron is waving him over. On their table is a glass filled with a purple smoothie - the detail exquisite in contrast to the blurred face.
PATRON
You there, what's this flavor you recommended to us?
PI-RAN
Oh, it's my own creation - lavender, ju-ju-juice, and green spike leaf. I can get you something else if you-?
PATRON
No, no, please bring us a pitcher of this.
PI-RAN
(giddily)
Yes, right away!
CUT TO:
EXT EARTH KINGDOM RIVER BANK
Abe redirects the river above their head while Toyo and Makami are in the riverbed looking through the gravel.
TOYO
What makes us think this is the place?
MAKAMI
This is the longest straight section, and curves wear down faster. A metal chute would make most sense here.
TOYO
A-ha...
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Move down further, Abe!
CUT TO:
INT PI-RAN'S THIRD TIER OF MEMORIES
Voso's fall is more controlled, looking down upon Pi-Ran, who is losing his hair, speaking joyfully in front of a crowd.
PI-RAN
We do not need to right the wrongs of the past - the Fire Nation has already done their worst to us and we survived! Our strength can carry us into the next generation as a stronger kingdom! If you believe in our cause, please consider joining today!
The crowd applauds him sporadically with their glasses in hand before breaking apart. The same hooded person from the earlier vision cuts the crowd towards Pi-Ran as he steps off the small stage.
MYSTERIOUS PERSON
Hello again, Pi-Ran.
PI-RAN
Have we...wait, we have met, haven't we?
MYSTERIOUS PERSON
How would you like a real chance to change the world?
Voso watches Pi-Ran's smile grow with exuberant curiosity before a white light takes him forward.
INT PI-RAN'S HEART CHAKRA CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS
As the light fades, Voso is confronted with a horrific sight. Instead of a memory, this chamber is alive with tentacles that run down as a cylinder. The purple and black skin writhes gently.
VOSO
This is...what happened here?
NANDAKA (O.S.)
(booming echo)
You've betrayed them all, human.
Voso covers his ears from the echo while moving closer, down the uneven cylinder.
NANDAKA (O.S.)
(booming echo)
Yours is a loveless life. Your former master used you for his own ends. Only through me can you find sanctuary and purpose...
He reaches the end of the cylinder, seeing the tentacles wrapped tightly into a nine-faced vessel hovering at the center of the room. The faces are of spiritual representations of beast, man, turtle, and more. Through the holes for eyes and mouth are seen the wrapped tentacles, glowing an eerie purple.
NANDAKA
(booming echo)
There is no greater purpose than serving the divine...hm?
The faces rotate until a bearded, frowning man's face set amongst aged seashells is the one addressing Voso.
NANDAKA
(booming echo)
To intrude upon another's mind is no mean feat. Could this human be...? No, you are not the one I seek, but you have been in their presence. Where is Raava, human?
VOSO
I don't know a Raava. What...are you?
NANDAKA
(even louder)
I MUST SEE RAAVA! BRING ME RAAVA LEST THE WORLD SHALL END!
Voso is doubled-over from the sound of the voice.
NANDAKA
(even louder)
BEGONE!
He flies backwards into a white void.
CUT TO:
INT DESALINATION PLANT CONTROL ROOM
Pi-Ran nearly collapses onto the control panel with his glasses falling to the floor. His panting and sweating conjoins with his shaking arms, just beneath the roar of the water outside the barren office.
PI-RAN
(panting)
I can...handle him. I will finish what I started.
NANDAKA (O.S.)
(echoing)
Will you? Can you?
PI-RAN
(weakly)
I will.
He brings his hand across his brow and straightens himself.
PI-RAN
I will...
CUT TO:
EXT EMPTY RIVER - DAY
Toyo and Makami smile down into a water intake chute, revealed and set into a straight-away of the river bed. The sand around them skitters with the surprised movement of wildlife.
TOYO
Ready?
Makami doesn't wait, dropping herself down feet first.
TOYO
Well, I'm sure someone has a plan, right?
Voso's three associates are next, not even sparing Toyo a look as they disappear into the hole.
Toyo, Shii, Abe, and Alrund stare despondently at the hole.
ABE
After this, we all need to agree on what Voso owes us - and it's gotta be big, right?
SHII
Definitely.
TOYO
I'm making him buy me a house.
Those three move down the chute, leaving Alrund with doubt all across her face.
ALRUND
(whispering)
He'll owe me my freedom.
She plunges in head-first.
CUT TO:
INT DESALINATION PLANT CONTROL ROOM
A red light blinks on one of the consoles, bringing Pi-Ran up with his glasses affixed.
PI-RAN
Hm? A dry intake port?
His eyes readjust down sharply.
PI-RAN
(growling)
Intruders...?
CUT TO:
INT DARK DESALINATION CHAMBER
Makami and Alrund move between the scientists in their helmets, all standing limply. Makami has fire in her palm lighting the way through.
MAKAMI
(whispering)
What kind of desalination plant is this?
ALRUND
(whispering)
This isn't normal, right? They don't use human heads to filter out the salt...or do they?
MAKAMI
(whispering)
What about that seems normal?
ALRUND
(whispering)
I don't know how water is made, I just drink the stuff.
A series of loud hissing snaps distract them, life coming back into the bodies. A hand snatches at Makami's wrist. Another barely misses her neck.
ALRUND
(shouting)
Run!
Both of them bend and flip to dodge the grasping hands. Shii comes bounding into the room with air pushing away the attackers temporarily. Makami rushes out, opening a door into a hallway with Alrund not far behind.
CUT TO:
INT PRISON SECTION
Voso rocks his cage back and forth while his spirit friends yank on the chain links. Around the bars drops Yasuhiro, Kozan, and Ju-Fen. All three are at work on the locks using small pieces of metal.
Yasuhiro raises his hand in victory as the first to finish, followed by Ju-Fen. Kozan rolls his eyes as the last one to finish, unshackling Voso's mouth.
VOSO
(raggedly)
How'd you find me?
A loud crash takes their attention towards an area off-screen.
VOSO
(raggedly)
Get me out of here.
CUT TO:
INT DESALINATION PLANT CONTROL ROOM
Makami slams her shoulder through the door and grimaces in pain. Alrund steps in front of her to face Pi-Ran, who has his back turned to them both.
ALRUND
(sternly)
You, turn around slowly with your hands at the side.
He loosely complies, spinning with a mocking smile on his lips. Alrund is shocked while Makami and Pi-Ran lock eyes.
PI-RAN
Ah, you...
Alrund jams her fists forward in the air, jutting two pillars of earth from her armor towards his chest. Tentacles wrap his front in protection, but the force still sends him back through the glass.
MAKAMI
Was that...?
ALRUND
Stay here!
She leaps through the hole in the glass.
INT DESALINATION CYCLONE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
She lands on the thin walkway before the round platform above the swirling water supply. Pi-Ran isn't far off on the platform with tentacles extending from his sleeves and back.
PI-RAN
What ever are you doing here, Alrund?
Alrund shouts as she gathers together all of the dirt and grime from the cracks in the ground and wall. In her deep pose, she gathers the ball of earth to her front before slashing both of her arms through it separately, creating a pair of gauntlets.
With her new weapons, she springs forward, aiming for his head then body, always in motion.
Pi-Ran uses his tentacles to redirect her, his hands just too many to counter. It isn't long before he has her pushed up against the edge with her wrists bound.
PI-RAN
A fate never more deserved.
Makami lands hard on the walkway with one hand up, her other hanging in pain.
PI-RAN
She flew in from the sky to save her friend, huh?
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Put her down safely!
PI-RAN
I know what brings you here, Avatar. You show weakness by bearing your heart on your sleeve. Now...
He throws her backwards across the other pathway, Alrund slipping off the edge.
PI-RAN
(shouting)
I know just where to squeeze!
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Al!
He shoots forward while Makami rotates her good arm, bringing a wheel of water up as her defense. He strikes harshly against the wheel, but chunks of ice block him as she rotates her arms in unison to keep him at bay.
She sweeps a blast of air down before jutting the water up, smartly taking aim at his chest for a huge blast that rocks him backwards several feet onto the middle of the platform.
As he lands, another ice blast seals him to the ground. Makami runs over to check on Alrund, seeing her hanging on a chunk of metal above the cyclone.
MAKAMI
Are you okay?
ALRUND
LOOK OUT!
A purple whip smacks Makami's head against the metal. She dizzily dodges a few more strikes while taking others. Her hands curl and swipe in the air, bringing up a thick mist to conceal herself, but a tentacle quickly cuts through, bringing her to Pi-Ran.
PI-RAN
Good-bye, Avatar - huh?
His eyes are wide as he struggles.
VOSO (O.S.)
Release her!
He obeys. Makami stays upright, shaking her cobwebs loose. Pi-Ran's eyes look down to see one of his spirits hugging his wrist, waving happily.
PI-RAN
(struggling)
It...can't...be!
Looking over his shoulder, he sees Voso on the circular pathway with his palm extended.
PI-RAN
(struggling)
Y-you!
Makami blasts him with fire that rockets him back to the center of the platform. Voso is quick to follow-up with a jet of water, knocking Pi-Ran closer to the edge.
PI-RAN
(desperately)
I-I need MORE!
Makami and Voso are both blasting him with water jets.
PI-RAN
(shouting)
I NEED YOUR POWER!
NANDAKA (O.S.)
(echoing)
Very well.
The blasts of water fly away under a sudden purple glow of explosive power. Makami falls back while Voso holds out his hand. Purple beams of light emit from Pi-Ran's eyes and mouth towards Voso, blinding him.
The possessed man turns his attention to Makami, who has more blasts of fire raining down to little effect.
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Over here! C'mon!
VOSO
(shouting)
No, stop!
Voso realizes how useless his power is just moments before being slammed backwards. Pi-Ran's body, with tremendous speed, tackles through Makami, taking them both over the edge into the spinning water below.
VOSO
(screaming)
MAKAMI!
CUT TO:
EXT AIR NATION CAPITAL OUTSKIRTS - DAY
Master Paya and Grand Master Meelo walk along the bank of a river with their rebuilt city in the background.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Our people love the Avatar, Paya. We must stand behind her.
MASTER PAYA
The Air Nation has never taken sides in a single war.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Oh, I don't know about that. An entire generation very likely took a side against attacking Fire Nation soldiers.
MASTER PAYA
This is a way for our voice to be heard again. As far as most people know, we're just the small group of sail-blowers in business suits that the Avatar saved. This is how we grow on our own again.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(sighing)
And you think the only way forward is to burn the bridge behind us?
MASTER PAYA
It's just business, Grand Master. She will understand that.
Meelo turns away from the river, resting himself onto a rock while Paya looks at the wide banks.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
My grandfather was the Avatar, Paya. Will he see this decision and think less of me?
Paya's eyes widen as he sees two bodies floating in the water face-up. One belongs to Pi-Ran, moving slightly faster towards the close-by coastline. Avatar Makami is the other, coming to the bank and stopping just at Paya's feet.
GRAND MASTER MEELO (O.S.)
Is this world-wide stage truly where our people belong?
Paya reaches down quietly, pushing Makami away from the shoreline and back into the current of the water.
Meelo turns back just as Paya resets himself.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Where do you see this going, Paya? Where does it end?
MASTER PAYA
With us at the table with the other nations and our people thriving. We must do what it takes, Meelo. Anything.
The older man stands with a grunt and a furrowed brow, looking off towards Ba-Sing-Se while Paya looks downstream.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
I can only hope the Avatar line forgives us for this affront.
MASTER PAYA
(grunting)
Of course.
EXT EASTERN COASTLINE - CONTINUOUS
Makami is being pulled under the water by a current, only her bruised shoulder still visible.
GRAND MASTER MEELO (V.O.)
If not, I fear our world will be a far bleaker place.
The surface of the water bubbles as her fingers disappear.