MONTAGE START
- In the heart of Republic City, thousands of people are waiting around the tall portal into the spirit world. The oscillating beams of energy at the apex are the only natural light source beneath the dark sky. From those angry, purple clouds pours a neon green rain that confuses the people hiding beneath their umbrellas.
MAKAMI (V.O.)
Water.
- Forneus gently treads water as several wooden docks help thousands of people evacuate the shorelines of the Earth Kingdom. Among the people are a mix of air benders and local villagers. Blowing bubbles in the water of the bay is Forneus with Crescent Moon Island on its back and guards beckoning the refugees. The air benders look beaten and forlorn as they descend carved staircases into the underbelly of the island on Forneus' back.
MAKAMI (V.O.)
Air.
- Looking over Ba-Sing-Se, the high walls have expanded into a curving dome that is nearing completion. The largest sections remaining grind into place. Some glimpses of illuminated street lamps glow upwards just before the carved slabs pound into place.
MAKAMI (V.O.)
Earth.
- The Fire Nation's powerful navy has encircled their dear islands with commanders looking through telescopes and turning away smaller vessels. Between the ships are metal ropes dripping in oil.
MAKAMI (V.O.)
Fire.
The ropes burst into flame and drop into full nets.
CUT TO:
EXT NORTHERN SPIRIT PORTAL - NIGHT
Makami, Alrund, and Abe gaze at the portal, sporting the same colorful helix from the top that buzzes high against the clouds. They approach over the snow, taking their hoods down.
MAKAMI (V.O.)
It's all coming to an end, unless we stop it.
ABE
So, how do you close one of these things? Do spirit portals have zippers on the other side or something?
MAKAMI
Through bending, I suppose.
ALRUND
And you're sure that's what you should be doing?
MAKAMI
Absolutely not.
RAAVA (O.S.)
(echoing)
What is this?
From her shoulder springs Raava, glowing brightly while facing down to all three of them. Abe and Al look dumbstruck while Makami stares.
RAAVA
(echoing)
We cannot risk cutting off the two worlds now, not when we need precious energy to fight Shesha.
Makami lets her pack drop to the ground.
MAKAMI
With Nandaka and Fuu-Ki gone, we don't have any other sources that can tell us anything about how to fight Ananta Shesha. The only thing I can think to do is to consolidate the portals, leave only the Republic City one open.
ABE
(quietly)
Yeah, what are the rules, exactly, when facing off against a universe-ending spirit?
ALRUND
(quietly)
If you could tell us, uh, Raava, ma'am, sir?
MAKAMI
Raava's memory is wiped after each cycle, and none of the other Avatars have ever faced something like this. There's just not enough data right now.
RAAVA
(echoing)
That does not make me useless, Makami. Heed my wisdom now and keep these portals open to let the energy flow.
ALRUND
Look up there.
She's pointing to the oscillating energies and their sparks against the clouds.
ALRUND
That's never happened before.
MAKAMI
It's meaningless.
ALRUND
It looks like it's trying to fight.
ABE
And losing.
ALRUND
We're all losing right now - does that mean we just cut it off?
MAKAMI
(short)
I don't have time for this, Al.
Makami raises her hands towards the portal.
MAKAMI
None of us do anymore - if this isn't making progress, then it's best to conserve the small bits of energy the planet does have for the fight ahead.
The ground around them rumbles harshly with black roots writhing their way above the snow. Abe and Alrund shoot their elements towards the branches, but soon stop as the roots are uninterested in them.
ABE
What are they doing?
ALRUND
They're going for the portal.
The roots wrap around the edges of the opening, as though they are trying to force it open.
ALRUND
(confused)
They're...taking the energy?
ABE
Better question - what tree is surviving all the way out here with greed-monster roots?
The roots glow blue and white, outlining the portal and double-helix in the same colors. As the new outline reaches the sky, it tears a very small hole in the clouds where moonlight comes pouring down in a single beam.
ABE
(excitedly)
It tore the sky a new one!
ALRUND
Who's doing this?
ABE
(quickly)
It has to be someone with some serious power, and most definitely our newest best friend, right Makami?
She crunches through the snow to the chilled roots, removing her glove. Her palm rests upon the cold, rotting bark.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
The Great Tree is trying to help.
She turns back.
MAKAMI
We need to see about the other portals, make sure that we're all seeing the same thing.
(to Raava)
Do I need your permission to find more information?
RAAVA
(echoing)
Carry on, Avatar.
With that, Raava absorbs back into Makami's shoulder.
ALRUND
The radio won't have reception here.
ABE
Back to town it is.
Abe unfolds a sled large enough for all three of them while Makami clips back on her glove, peering up into the moonlight.
ABE
All aboard for the Downhill Express!
CUT TO:
EXT SPIRIT HAVEN CITY - SPIRIT WORLD
Refuges from Republic City flood through the portal, funneling past an immigration checkpoint and crowding the streets. Looking down from a ledge are some guards upon a metal tower. One shakes her head as they both look over the giant line.
GUARD 1
Why are they coming into the dangerous part? Didn't the Avatar say this was a spirit coming to suck all the blood from our bodies?
GUARD 2
I know, right? I thought this was the first place we'd abandon.
TOYO (O.S.)
They're just scared.
The two look back to see Toyo bending a sheet of metal over to complete one of the portholes overlooking a potential battlefield.
TOYO
You hear that your world might be destroyed, wouldn't you want to go to the closest exit?
GUARD 1
Sure, fine, but we're already thin here. How can they expect us to defend this many more people and keep them calm?
TOYO
Well, that's why you guys take volunteers like me in to help.
CUT TO:
EXT SPIRIT HAVEN CITY OUTSKIRTS
Dozens of metal benders are constructing and moving thick, angled barriers up to the edges of their tiered assignments. Toyo descends a staircase on the side, passing several hurried people. He comes down to Mako, who is directing soldiers.
MAKO
(annoyed)
No, put the wheat inside the city and build the wall out of the metal. Stop trying to feed all these people metal for breakfast!
The person salutes quickly and mushes off as Toyo approaches.
MAKO
Yes? What have you messed up now?
TOYO
Uh, nothing that I know of.
MAKO
(grunting)
Well, you'd be the only volunteer so far that can say that.
TOYO
I've got experience running with perfectionists, sir.
MAKO
Well, get back to work.
TOYO
I'm done, sir.
MAKO
What's your name, volunteer?
TOYO
Tee-Via, sir.
MAKO
Well, Tee-Via, if you want to be an over-achiever, grab a clipboard and get me some more recruits. With our former President now growing lean on prison food, I need people with good heads to do what's right without having to come to me.
TOYO
Actually, sir, the food in Fire Nation prisons is quite delicious...so I'm told.
Mako blankly stares at Toyo for a moment before slapping him in the chest with his clipboard.
MAKO
Please, go pleasantly surprise me, Tee-Via.
He turns to walk away.
MAKO
(mumbling)
We could all use one right now.
TOYO
Yes, sir.
The rumbling begins here as well. Toyo and Mako hustle to the top of the stairs, looking out towards the spirit portal.
MAKO
(shouting)
Report!
GUARD 1
(shouting)
Vines, sir! Some...some sort of plant is wrapping itself around the portal!
Toyo and Mako watch in confusion as the commotion calms with the vines holding in place, glowing blue and white brightly.
Another guard comes up behind Mako.
GUARD 3
Sir, a call from the Avatar.
Mako grabs the large phone.
MAKO
(to the phone)
I take it this is about the vines?
CUT TO:
EXT NORTHERN METROPOLIS TUNNEL ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Abe and Alrund listen to the same phone from beneath an overhang.
ALRUND
(to the phone)
And you see vines at the Southern Portal too?
ZURA (O.S.)
(electronic)
Uh, yeah.
CUT TO:
INT PLANE COCKPIT - NIGHT
With the neon rain splashing on the windshield, Baki is flying as Zura peers through a pair of see-longers, her eyes gigantic.
ZURA
(shouting)
That seems weird, right?
ALRUND (O.S.)
(electronic)
The bar for weird just keeps changing.
BAKI
(shouting)
Is there anything we need to do? Skies are a little choppy with this rain.
ALRUND (O.S.)
(electronic)
No.
CUT TO:
EXT NORTHERN METROPOLIS TUNNEL ENTRANCE
They are in the same spot with Makami now visible, sitting beneath an umbrella as she stares off sadly towards something unseen.
ALRUND
Get yourselves somewhere dry and on the ground.
She hangs up the phone.
ABE
So that's all three portals being lassoed by some mysterious tree?
ALRUND
It's not mysterious, it's the Spirit Tree.
Abe stares blankly.
ALRUND
Lives in the Great Swamp? Fueled a giant walking war machine that nearly destroyed Republic City?
ABE
(nodding)
Ah, yeah, yeah, got it now.
ALRUND
You remember the deadly robot?
ABE
Hey, I'm a visual learner, and it's tough to beat the visual of a platinum giant. Doesn't explain why the tree's suddenly rooting for team humanity.
They both turn to Makami, who sits silently a little away from them.
Looking over Makami's shoulder, she gazes at the tunnel entrance where herself and Voso, hurt and possessed by Fuu-Ki, had their climactic battle. The damage is now under construction with smaller-scale equipment being deployed. Her focus wavers slightly as Alrund and Abe come over to kneel next to her.
ALRUND
(quietly)
You need some more time?
MAKAMI
(smiling)
No, just daydreaming about the blueprints to that project. It must've taken weeks to measure every angle and...
She takes off in a jog towards the hole.
ABE
(loudly)
Where ya going?
MAKAMI
(excitedly)
C'mon!
She runs up to the person with unrolled blueprints beneath a large umbrella before Alrund and Abe can give chase.
MAKAMI
Hey there!
FOREMAN
(gravely accent)
Can I help you?
MAKAMI
I'm the Avatar - mind if I peruse your tunnel envisage?
FOREMAN
My what?
MAKAMI
The blueprint! I'm a huge fan of architecture.
FOREMAN
Oh, uh, okay...
He moves aside to let her quickly run a finger across the lines and measurements.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
How bad was the damage?
FOREMAN
(hesitantly)
Well...the worst of it was welds on the gear lines popping off. Now the teeth gots nothing to hold onto.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
You'll have to build a whole new one?
FOREMAN
Naw, we're re-welding.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
Welds should be okay for one more time if this is strong metal. How many times have they popped before?
FOREMAN
This makes a dozen.
MAKAMI
(surprised)
A dozen!? And you're still just re-welding!?
Abe and Al gently pull her away, but she slips out and takes the plans into the rain.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
No, no, no, this isn't right.
ABE
(loudly)
Makami, c'mon!
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Hey, everyone!
The few construction workers within earshot turn to her with confusion.
MAKAMI
(loudly)
Change of plans - we're going to recast the teeth using the originals as molds, then grind down the old welds for new ones!
The foreman comes out and snatches the plans back.
FOREMAN
(angrily)
We ain't gots the materials for that, lady!
MAKAMI
(angrily)
Well, did you even bother to ask for the materials in the first place!?
FOREMAN
(grunting)
Let me just do my job so my guys and I can get's outta this rain!
MAKAMI
(angrily)
Oh, this is just a job to you!? There are people's lives on the line here, buster! Maybe that'll motivate you to make a five minute phone call to explain to someone that you care about that you need something in your life to save the lives of other people!
She shoves her fists down in the air, creating a wave in the ice that forms a permanent lip as the rain sizzles off her shoulders.
ABE
C'mon, we'll come back and fix this whole thing the right way later.
MAKAMI
(grunting)
Stupid, lazy foreman.
ALRUND
(loudly)
And rude!
CUT TO:
INT SAVOY'S PARADISE - NIGHT
One of the last great beams of red and blue light into the green night come from the outdoor area of Kota's newly-revamped house of games. Spotlights waggle in the air above a rickety, moss covering wide enough for only one or two parties at a time. Everywhere else on the balcony is covered with bulky remodeling pieces.
One of the parties just inside consists of Kota, Kin, and Baki. At their small table, Kota moves aside several layers of books in front of herself, Kin, and Baki as one of her waiters brings them extremely fruity drinks.
KOTA
Yes, keep these coming.
WAITER
I would ma'am, but we're running out of drink mix.
KIN
Because of the blockade?
KOTA
(growling)
Yeah, stupid isolationism. Alright, just serve what you can.
He bows and moves away. Kin takes down her entire drink, through the voluminous green leaves.
KOTA
You okay there?
KIN
(sighing)
Substantially better now. Where were we?
KOTA
(monotone)
Trying to sift through the incredibly dense disaster preparedness plan for the Fire Nation.
She picks up one of the pages that accordions open into several further layers.
KOTA
It's a little impressive just how paranoid the old Emperors really were.
KIN
Much of this was put to paper during Zuko's time according to the watermarks.
She holds up one of the papers to the light, the watermark revealing a chibi-Zuko and the writing 'Z-Man Approved'.
KIN
Most evacuation plans just dealt with the Emperor and his family before then. There are copious tunnels beneath the old royal palace with wall scratchings like nametags for old royal families.
BAKI
(to Kota)
Ami took me to see them. Looked like cave drawings.
KOTA
Neat.
KIN
Wait, I think I found the one we're looking for.
A black binder opens to a section header page. On the page is a man sitting backwards on a chair, looking coyly towards the camera with the text 'So Your Country is Under Attack?'.
She turns the laminated page, scanning quickly.
KOTA
(speedily)
Okay...ya-da, ya-da...no, there's no massive invasion of honey badgers...no, no...oh?
KIN
What?
KOTA
Apparently, Zuko had an underwater bunker built to be used in the instance of a severe international incident.
KIN
What's the diagram number for that?
KOTA
Uh, A-sixty-eight-fourteen.
Kin slides her finger through a massive accordion folder, coming up with folded plans. The drinks are moved away as the plans are unfolded, revealing a massive underwater housing complex.
KIN
This is...if this exists, it could be enough to house the entire Fire Nation for a few months. Is it stocked?
KOTA
The book says it's well stocked.
KIN
Then, let's finish our drinks and get this info to Adachi.
The waiter wanders by again with Kin signaling for another while Baki and Kota nurse theirs, both of them stopping at the same time.
MONTAGE START
- In the heart of Republic City, thousands of people are waiting around the tall portal into the spirit world. The oscillating beams of energy at the apex are the only natural light source beneath the dark sky. From those angry, purple clouds pours a neon green rain that confuses the people hiding beneath their umbrellas.
MAKAMI (V.O.)
Water.
- Forneus gently treads water as several wooden docks help thousands of people evacuate the shorelines of the Earth Kingdom. Among the people are a mix of air benders and local villagers. Blowing bubbles in the water of the bay is Forneus with Crescent Moon Island on its back and guards beckoning the refugees. The air benders look beaten and forlorn as they descend carved staircases into the underbelly of the island on Forneus' back.
MAKAMI (V.O.)
Air.
- Looking over Ba-Sing-Se, the high walls have expanded into a curving dome that is nearing completion. The largest sections remaining grind into place. Some glimpses of illuminated street lamps glow upwards just before the carved slabs pound into place.
MAKAMI (V.O.)
Earth.
- The Fire Nation's powerful navy has encircled their dear islands with commanders looking through telescopes and turning away smaller vessels. Between the ships are metal ropes dripping in oil.
MAKAMI (V.O.)
Fire.
The ropes burst into flame and drop into full nets.
CUT TO:
EXT NORTHERN SPIRIT PORTAL - NIGHT
Makami, Alrund, and Abe gaze at the portal, sporting the same colorful helix from the top that buzzes high against the clouds. They approach over the snow, taking their hoods down.
MAKAMI (V.O.)
It's all coming to an end, unless we stop it.
ABE
So, how do you close one of these things? Do spirit portals have zippers on the other side or something?
MAKAMI
Through bending, I suppose.
ALRUND
And you're sure that's what you should be doing?
MAKAMI
Absolutely not.
RAAVA (O.S.)
(echoing)
What is this?
From her shoulder springs Raava, glowing brightly while facing down to all three of them. Abe and Al look dumbstruck while Makami stares.
RAAVA
(echoing)
We cannot risk cutting off the two worlds now, not when we need precious energy to fight Shesha.
Makami lets her pack drop to the ground.
MAKAMI
With Nandaka and Fuu-Ki gone, we don't have any other sources that can tell us anything about how to fight Ananta Shesha. The only thing I can think to do is to consolidate the portals, leave only the Republic City one open.
ABE
(quietly)
Yeah, what are the rules, exactly, when facing off against a universe-ending spirit?
ALRUND
(quietly)
If you could tell us, uh, Raava, ma'am, sir?
MAKAMI
Raava's memory is wiped after each cycle, and none of the other Avatars have ever faced something like this. There's just not enough data right now.
RAAVA
(echoing)
That does not make me useless, Makami. Heed my wisdom now and keep these portals open to let the energy flow.
ALRUND
Look up there.
She's pointing to the oscillating energies and their sparks against the clouds.
ALRUND
That's never happened before.
MAKAMI
It's meaningless.
ALRUND
It looks like it's trying to fight.
ABE
And losing.
ALRUND
We're all losing right now - does that mean we just cut it off?
MAKAMI
(short)
I don't have time for this, Al.
Makami raises her hands towards the portal.
MAKAMI
None of us do anymore - if this isn't making progress, then it's best to conserve the small bits of energy the planet does have for the fight ahead.
The ground around them rumbles harshly with black roots writhing their way above the snow. Abe and Alrund shoot their elements towards the branches, but soon stop as the roots are uninterested in them.
ABE
What are they doing?
ALRUND
They're going for the portal.
The roots wrap around the edges of the opening, as though they are trying to force it open.
ALRUND
(confused)
They're...taking the energy?
ABE
Better question - what tree is surviving all the way out here with greed-monster roots?
The roots glow blue and white, outlining the portal and double-helix in the same colors. As the new outline reaches the sky, it tears a very small hole in the clouds where moonlight comes pouring down in a single beam.
ABE
(excitedly)
It tore the sky a new one!
ALRUND
Who's doing this?
ABE
(quickly)
It has to be someone with some serious power, and most definitely our newest best friend, right Makami?
She crunches through the snow to the chilled roots, removing her glove. Her palm rests upon the cold, rotting bark.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
The Great Tree is trying to help.
She turns back.
MAKAMI
We need to see about the other portals, make sure that we're all seeing the same thing.
(to Raava)
Do I need your permission to find more information?
RAAVA
(echoing)
Carry on, Avatar.
With that, Raava absorbs back into Makami's shoulder.
ALRUND
The radio won't have reception here.
ABE
Back to town it is.
Abe unfolds a sled large enough for all three of them while Makami clips back on her glove, peering up into the moonlight.
ABE
All aboard for the Downhill Express!
CUT TO:
EXT SPIRIT HAVEN CITY - SPIRIT WORLD
Refuges from Republic City flood through the portal, funneling past an immigration checkpoint and crowding the streets. Looking down from a ledge are some guards upon a metal tower. One shakes her head as they both look over the giant line.
GUARD 1
Why are they coming into the dangerous part? Didn't the Avatar say this was a spirit coming to suck all the blood from our bodies?
GUARD 2
I know, right? I thought this was the first place we'd abandon.
TOYO (O.S.)
They're just scared.
The two look back to see Toyo bending a sheet of metal over to complete one of the portholes overlooking a potential battlefield.
TOYO
You hear that your world might be destroyed, wouldn't you want to go to the closest exit?
GUARD 1
Sure, fine, but we're already thin here. How can they expect us to defend this many more people and keep them calm?
TOYO
Well, that's why you guys take volunteers like me in to help.
CUT TO:
EXT SPIRIT HAVEN CITY OUTSKIRTS
Dozens of metal benders are constructing and moving thick, angled barriers up to the edges of their tiered assignments. Toyo descends a staircase on the side, passing several hurried people. He comes down to Mako, who is directing soldiers.
MAKO
(annoyed)
No, put the wheat inside the city and build the wall out of the metal. Stop trying to feed all these people metal for breakfast!
The person salutes quickly and mushes off as Toyo approaches.
MAKO
Yes? What have you messed up now?
TOYO
Uh, nothing that I know of.
MAKO
(grunting)
Well, you'd be the only volunteer so far that can say that.
TOYO
I've got experience running with perfectionists, sir.
MAKO
Well, get back to work.
TOYO
I'm done, sir.
MAKO
What's your name, volunteer?
TOYO
Tee-Via, sir.
MAKO
Well, Tee-Via, if you want to be an over-achiever, grab a clipboard and get me some more recruits. With our former President now growing lean on prison food, I need people with good heads to do what's right without having to come to me.
TOYO
Actually, sir, the food in Fire Nation prisons is quite delicious...so I'm told.
Mako blankly stares at Toyo for a moment before slapping him in the chest with his clipboard.
MAKO
Please, go pleasantly surprise me, Tee-Via.
He turns to walk away.
MAKO
(mumbling)
We could all use one right now.
TOYO
Yes, sir.
The rumbling begins here as well. Toyo and Mako hustle to the top of the stairs, looking out towards the spirit portal.
MAKO
(shouting)
Report!
GUARD 1
(shouting)
Vines, sir! Some...some sort of plant is wrapping itself around the portal!
Toyo and Mako watch in confusion as the commotion calms with the vines holding in place, glowing blue and white brightly.
Another guard comes up behind Mako.
GUARD 3
Sir, a call from the Avatar.
Mako grabs the large phone.
MAKO
(to the phone)
I take it this is about the vines?
CUT TO:
EXT NORTHERN METROPOLIS TUNNEL ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Abe and Alrund listen to the same phone from beneath an overhang.
ALRUND
(to the phone)
And you see vines at the Southern Portal too?
ZURA (O.S.)
(electronic)
Uh, yeah.
CUT TO:
INT PLANE COCKPIT - NIGHT
With the neon rain splashing on the windshield, Baki is flying as Zura peers through a pair of see-longers, her eyes gigantic.
ZURA
(shouting)
That seems weird, right?
ALRUND (O.S.)
(electronic)
The bar for weird just keeps changing.
BAKI
(shouting)
Is there anything we need to do? Skies are a little choppy with this rain.
ALRUND (O.S.)
(electronic)
No.
CUT TO:
EXT NORTHERN METROPOLIS TUNNEL ENTRANCE
They are in the same spot with Makami now visible, sitting beneath an umbrella as she stares off sadly towards something unseen.
ALRUND
Get yourselves somewhere dry and on the ground.
She hangs up the phone.
ABE
So that's all three portals being lassoed by some mysterious tree?
ALRUND
It's not mysterious, it's the Spirit Tree.
Abe stares blankly.
ALRUND
Lives in the Great Swamp? Fueled a giant walking war machine that nearly destroyed Republic City?
ABE
(nodding)
Ah, yeah, yeah, got it now.
ALRUND
You remember the deadly robot?
ABE
Hey, I'm a visual learner, and it's tough to beat the visual of a platinum giant. Doesn't explain why the tree's suddenly rooting for team humanity.
They both turn to Makami, who sits silently a little away from them.
Looking over Makami's shoulder, she gazes at the tunnel entrance where herself and Voso, hurt and possessed by Fuu-Ki, had their climactic battle. The damage is now under construction with smaller-scale equipment being deployed. Her focus wavers slightly as Alrund and Abe come over to kneel next to her.
ALRUND
(quietly)
You need some more time?
MAKAMI
(smiling)
No, just daydreaming about the blueprints to that project. It must've taken weeks to measure every angle and...
She takes off in a jog towards the hole.
ABE
(loudly)
Where ya going?
MAKAMI
(excitedly)
C'mon!
She runs up to the person with unrolled blueprints beneath a large umbrella before Alrund and Abe can give chase.
MAKAMI
Hey there!
FOREMAN
(gravely accent)
Can I help you?
MAKAMI
I'm the Avatar - mind if I peruse your tunnel envisage?
FOREMAN
My what?
MAKAMI
The blueprint! I'm a huge fan of architecture.
FOREMAN
Oh, uh, okay...
He moves aside to let her quickly run a finger across the lines and measurements.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
How bad was the damage?
FOREMAN
(hesitantly)
Well...the worst of it was welds on the gear lines popping off. Now the teeth gots nothing to hold onto.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
You'll have to build a whole new one?
FOREMAN
Naw, we're re-welding.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
Welds should be okay for one more time if this is strong metal. How many times have they popped before?
FOREMAN
This makes a dozen.
MAKAMI
(surprised)
A dozen!? And you're still just re-welding!?
Abe and Al gently pull her away, but she slips out and takes the plans into the rain.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
No, no, no, this isn't right.
ABE
(loudly)
Makami, c'mon!
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Hey, everyone!
The few construction workers within earshot turn to her with confusion.
MAKAMI
(loudly)
Change of plans - we're going to recast the teeth using the originals as molds, then grind down the old welds for new ones!
The foreman comes out and snatches the plans back.
FOREMAN
(angrily)
We ain't gots the materials for that, lady!
MAKAMI
(angrily)
Well, did you even bother to ask for the materials in the first place!?
FOREMAN
(grunting)
Let me just do my job so my guys and I can get's outta this rain!
MAKAMI
(angrily)
Oh, this is just a job to you!? There are people's lives on the line here, buster! Maybe that'll motivate you to make a five minute phone call to explain to someone that you care about that you need something in your life to save the lives of other people!
She shoves her fists down in the air, creating a wave in the ice that forms a permanent lip as the rain sizzles off her shoulders.
ABE
C'mon, we'll come back and fix this whole thing the right way later.
MAKAMI
(grunting)
Stupid, lazy foreman.
ALRUND
(loudly)
And rude!
CUT TO:
INT SAVOY'S PARADISE - NIGHT
One of the last great beams of red and blue light into the green night come from the outdoor area of Kota's newly-revamped house of games. Spotlights waggle in the air above a rickety, moss covering wide enough for only one or two parties at a time. Everywhere else on the balcony is covered with bulky remodeling pieces.
One of the parties just inside consists of Kota, Kin, and Baki. At their small table, Kota moves aside several layers of books in front of herself, Kin, and Baki as one of her waiters brings them extremely fruity drinks.
KOTA
Yes, keep these coming.
WAITER
I would ma'am, but we're running out of drink mix.
KIN
Because of the blockade?
KOTA
(growling)
Yeah, stupid isolationism. Alright, just serve what you can.
He bows and moves away. Kin takes down her entire drink, through the voluminous green leaves.
KOTA
You okay there?
KIN
(sighing)
Substantially better now. Where were we?
KOTA
(monotone)
Trying to sift through the incredibly dense disaster preparedness plan for the Fire Nation.
She picks up one of the pages that accordions open into several further layers.
KOTA
It's a little impressive just how paranoid the old Emperors really were.
KIN
Much of this was put to paper during Zuko's time according to the watermarks.
She holds up one of the papers to the light, the watermark revealing a chibi-Zuko and the writing 'Z-Man Approved'.
KIN
Most evacuation plans just dealt with the Emperor and his family before then. There are copious tunnels beneath the old royal palace with wall scratchings like nametags for old royal families.
BAKI
(to Kota)
Ami took me to see them. Looked like cave drawings.
KOTA
Neat.
KIN
Wait, I think I found the one we're looking for.
A black binder opens to a section header page. On the page is a man sitting backwards on a chair, looking coyly towards the camera with the text 'So Your Country is Under Attack?'.
She turns the laminated page, scanning quickly.
KOTA
(speedily)
Okay...ya-da, ya-da...no, there's no massive invasion of honey badgers...no, no...oh?
KIN
What?
KOTA
Apparently, Zuko had an underwater bunker built to be used in the instance of a severe international incident.
KIN
What's the diagram number for that?
KOTA
Uh, A-sixty-eight-fourteen.
Kin slides her finger through a massive accordion folder, coming up with folded plans. The drinks are moved away as the plans are unfolded, revealing a massive underwater housing complex.
KIN
This is...if this exists, it could be enough to house the entire Fire Nation for a few months. Is it stocked?
KOTA
The book says it's well stocked.
KIN
Then, let's finish our drinks and get this info to Adachi.
The waiter wanders by again with Kin signaling for another while Baki and Kota nurse theirs, both of them stopping at the same time.
KOTA AND KIN
(in pain)
Ow, ow, ow - brain freeze!