INT PUBLISHING COMPANY CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Kin, Baki, and Zura are in the room with Zura looking around sheepishly. Baki swirls some tea while Kin glowers over the smaller girl with the packets in-hand.
KIN
(firmly)
Admit that you stole these from my drawer.
ZURA
(writhing)
Not exactly...
KIN
(quickly)
And how you even got into my locked desk!
ZURA
I had the key...
KIN
(angrily)
Shii and Kota are in on this too, huh? I should've known you were all out to dismantle my career. Do you know how hard I've worked for my second chance after Cabbage Corp? And you would have me throw it away to-
BAKI
(sharply)
Zura tells me that manuscript could help save the world.
Kin looks shocked at Baki's involvement.
BAKI
Isn't that worth a job? Isn't that what you convinced her to do - the same thing you said you'd do in her position?
KIN
(stuttering)
This...this is completely different. How can a manuscript help anyone?
ZURA
(slowly)
Look, can we just gloss over this? I already know what was inside the book, so...I'unno, the bag is already open or something.
BAKI
Yes, sweetie, let's-
KIN
(abruptly)
Absolutely not! You are going to explain to me how you stole my manuscript, made several copies, then returned it in the few minutes you were gone.
Zura slumps back, looking to her mom to help her out of this one.
BAKI
Does it really matter, Kin? She put her mind to it.
KIN
(angrily)
Yes, let's all be so very proud of Zura for pursuing a life of crime - getting what she wants at any cost to those around her! Such bravado and disregard can ONLY be found in the Avatar's family!
ZURA
(angrily)
I am not like her! You are! Too busy for me, the job comes first, be perfect, Zura! I didn't steal your stupid papers because I didn't want you to get in trouble!
KIN
(angrily)
Then how did you get these copies!?
ZURA
(calming)
I...
She closes her eyes.
ZURA
I need to tell them. Can you help me explain?
BAKI
Who are you talking to?
Her eyes snap open with purple covering them completely. Baki and Kin flinch back instinctively.
NANDAKA
(child echoing)
Hello, humans. My name is Nandaka. I have formed a synergistic relationship with Zura. I cannot stay in the open for long, but I will answer what I can.
BAKI
(quietly)
What in the world are you and why are you inside my daughter?
NANDAKA
What I am is complicated. Suffice it to say that I am a friendly spirit here to help and be helped.
KIN
How did you make the copies?
NANDAKA
A reasonable question. Through Zura's fingers, I absorbed the contents of the manuscript, and she typed it out as written. The information will be vital to the Avatar.
Zura lets her head fall back before jerking back, her eyes returned to normal.
ZURA
He had to go. Things get dangerous if he stays out too long.
Baki and Kin don't quite know how to react as Zura takes a drink of water. The two of them stand up together.
CUT TO:
INT HOSPITAL LOBBY - DAY
Alrund, Makami, and Toyo are alone in the waiting room with Makami pacing. Alrund stares intently down the hallway where a doctor would come to give them news while Toyo wipes a filthy rag across his neck.
He offers a clean one to Makami, who refuses with a wave.
ALRUND
If they don't have news soon, we'll have to give the press something.
TOYO
Yeah, they're pressing themselves against the windows.
MAKAMI
(mumbling quickly)
Nothing to say yet.
ALRUND
You two were probably poisoned too.
TOYO
She's not going to see a doctor right now.
ALRUND
And you?
TOYO
We need to be among friends right now. Just until we know more. Adachi's up there, working his fire magic, and he'll tell us more.
MAKAMI
(mumbling weakly)
Thank you, Toyo.
He nods while Alrund looks down sourly.
The quiet among them isn't comfortable with the constant hum of press not far away. One of them begins to knock on the window.
PRESS
(shouting through glass)
Hey, Avatar! How is the Emperor?
TOYO
Want me to take care of that guy?
ALRUND
Alright, macho man, relax. He's not hurting anyone.
PRESS
(shouting through glass)
Did you put him in danger?
Makami stops pacing, letting her eyes well up with tears. She looks powerless for the first time. With that sight, Toyo springs up and rips his arms through the air, creating an added barrier from the tile floor.
TOYO
No more of that, now.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Yes, I did.
Alrund is up now, placing her hand on Makami's shoulder.
TOYO
You didn't do this.
MAKAMI
(mumbling quickly)
I did this - I didn't stop this. I wanted us to keep going.
ALRUND
(quietly)
He's going to pull through, Makami. His will is too strong to give in now.
TOYO
Exactly, so put away this guilt, alright?
Makami nods and walks away from them both, wiping at her cheek. She flops into a chair nearby.
MAKAMI
Can I have that rag?
Toyo tosses it to her, turning to Alrund, who looks angrily at the ground.
DOCTOR (O.S.)
(echoing)
Avatar?
Makami shoots up to meet the young doctor.
DOCTOR
He's stable, we were able to flush his system. He's been through quite a lot and his energy level is extremely low, but if you'd like to see him, he's awake.
She turns to Toyo and Alrund.
ALRUND
You go, we'll give you some time.
She doesn't wait, turning to sprint past the doctor.
DOCTOR
(shouting)
Room one-two-two-one!
He turns back to them.
DOCTOR
He won't be awake long as he's very weak, so if either of you want to see him, don't wait too long.
TOYO
Thanks.
Once the doctor leaves, Alrund grunts lowly while pulling at her hair. Toyo holds his hands up.
ALRUND
(seething)
I would've thanked her if he didn't make it, Toyo.
TOYO
I know, Al.
ALRUND
(seething)
Oh, do you? How long have you been a slave to him, having to do his every whim and keep his dirty laundry a secret!?
TOYO
Just breathe, okay? I know what he did to you.
ALRUND
(angrily)
How come she doesn't, huh? She can spot patterns in sand striations, but she can't see what kind of heartless psychopath her husband is?!
She punches a fist-print into the newly erected rock wall.
TOYO
She loves him, Al. If you or I told her...if she knew, it wouldn't give you back time, or your sister's love.
Al rips her hand free.
TOYO
You'd just help him destroy more.
ALRUND
(seething)
Some things need to be destroyed, Toyo. Who are you trying to protect, telling me to let him reap every benefit he possibly can?
TOYO
My hurt, angry, completely-right friend named Alrund.
He brings one hand up, slamming it down to re-open the entry.
TOYO
(soothingly)
Who has been through so much pain that it hurts others to hear her story.
ALRUND
(shaking in anger)
I only want him to hurt, Toyo. If you were really my friend, you'd help me hurt him.
There is a harsh silence for a moment before the sliding doors open. Kin and Baki come in with Zura taped-up from head to toe. Reporters try to get in behind them, but various soldiers push them back until the door closes.
TOYO
Uh, you caught her?
BAKI
Hey, we're here to see Adachi. Is he done with Shii?
TOYO
(softly)
Shii?
All four of them look at one another with shocked eyes while Zura just struggles against the duct tape.
CUT TO:
INT HOSPITAL SECOND FLOOR - CONTINUOUS
Adachi roasts his hands like marshmallows over a pair of burners, his skin glowing bright despite his face looking tired and a bit weak. Behind him is an open door into the hallway that shows Makami zooming by. He turns to see her.
ADACHI
(shouting)
Makami!
He walks into the hallway as she comes back, hugging one another tightly.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
You saw him? He's okay?
ADACHI
(quietly)
Yes, you go. You need to prepare yourself, okay?
They release with them both back-tracking in opposite directions.
ADACHI
I'm in here treating-
MAKAMI
(quickly)
I'm sorry, Adachi, I've gotta go.
She rushes away with his arm falling. He steps back into the room, where we can now see Shii hooked to several machines and with an oxygen mask on his face. His eyes are closed.
Adachi moves the burners to the side while coming to the foot of the bed.
ADACHI
(quietly)
We meet again, old man. She'll come back 'round soon. Rest up.
Turning, he smiles at Kota and Abe resting in the corner chair with Shii's robe over them both.
ADACHI
(quietly)
You too, crazy woman.
BAKI (O.S.)
Adachi, are you in there?
His head drops in a sigh, rising again with a deep breath.
ADACHI
(mumbling)
Am I ever...
CUT TO:
INT ROOM ONE-TWO-TWO-ONE - DAY
Makami bursts into the room as nurses attach various machines to Voso's face and arm.
MAKAMI
(softly)
Voso?
NURSE
He shouldn't talk. His throat needs time to heal.
He tries to stand out of the bed, but is held back by the nurses. Makami nearly tackles him, keeping him in place while the nurses continue their job.
MAKAMI
(softly)
I'm so sorry this happened to you, Voso. I love you so much.
He leans back, pointing to his eye, then to his chest, then placing his finger against her heart. She smiles and backs away so the nurses can continue.
MAKAMI
I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here when you can say that out loud again.
He gives her a thumbs up while she leans against the wall, wiping dirt and tears from her cheek.
CUT TO:
INT SHII'S HOSPITAL ROOM
Zura is taped to a softer chair, no longer in her cocoon but looking uncomfortable nonetheless. Kota stretches with Abe from the corner in the background while Baki and Kin watch Adachi, who ignites his palms again.
ADACHI
So you think your daughter is possessed by a spirit and want my healing to lure it out somehow?
KIN
Healing benders have been known to heal the spirit.
KOTA
(groggily)
What're you all yelling about?
ADACHI
I'm listening to armchair doctors tell me all about how healing fire works.
BAKI
(forcefully)
Look, Adachi, there is something inside of my daughter. Can you at least try to get it out?
He stares blankly at the both of them.
ADACHI
Well, I need access to the spine.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT SHII'S HOSPITAL ROOM
Zura is now taped backwards with her shirt up above her head. Her eyes are locked, goofily, as she doesn't bother to fight any longer. Reason being, Abe holds her hand with an awkward smile on their face. Kota pats their shoulder before taking a step back with Kin and Baki.
Adachi has simmering palms that he hovers over her shoulder blades.
ADACHI
Right, Zura, you trust me right?
ZURA
(zoned-out)
Yes, mister.
ADACHI
Then trust me when I say this will not hurt you at all. You may receive a flash of memory of a traumatic event, but I'll try to miss those.
Abe leans a little closer.
ABE
(softly)
Nothing bad will happen to you or the spirit, I promise. Ready?
ZURA
(unintelligible)
Blh-kay.
Adachi's hands sizzle to the touch of her skin, but she doesn't even flinch. Adachi closes his eyes feeling for her pressure points. Only a few moments go by before Kin is stepping forward.
KIN
Can you find it?
ADACHI
Patience. People have a lot of sour memories that clog up...hm?
His closed eyes tighten.
ADACHI
(softly)
There is...something. Something massive.
KOTA
Be careful, old man.
ADACHI
(mumbling)
It's running from me.
The fire spreads from Adachi's fingers, running along her veins and nerves and filling up at several pressure points at once. After only another moment of searching, Zura and Adachi both go rigid. Adachi's eyes are purple and snapped open.
KOTA
(worried)
Adachi? Adachi!?
NANDAKA (O.S.)
(echoing through Adachi's mouth)
You do not belong here, human.
KOTA
(loudly)
Pull back!
Kota has a broom between Adachi and Zura, using it to pry them away. Adachi slides across the floor, unconscious, with the flame turning to embers on the ground.
CUT TO:
INT ROOM ONE-TWO-TWO-ONE
Voso sleeps soundly with Makami's head up by his. Toyo opens the door slowly, rapping his knuckle.
TOYO
(whispering)
Is he out?
MAKAMI
(whispering)
Yeah, come on in.
He does with the door left open.
TOYO
(whispering)
He's paler than usual.
MAKAMI
(whispering)
Yeah, being breathless for a long time will do that.
TOYO
(whispering)
No more speeches for a little while, huh big guy?
MAKAMI
(whispering)
Where's Al?
TOYO
(whispering)
Oh, she's in Adachi's room.
Her smile flickers away, gradually inverting as he continues to speak.
TOYO
(whispering)
No one knows what's wrong with him yet.
MAKAMI
Adachi's...sick? But I just saw him as I was coming here.
TOYO
(whispering)
Yeah, there was something to do in Shii's room, and-
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Sh...Shii too?
CUT TO:
INT SECOND FLOOR HOSPITAL HALLWAY - DAY
Makami stands at the perfect vertex to see pain and consequence from three sides.
She turns to see Shii, his mask falling off as he coughs. Toyo and Kin are trying to help him keep it on.
Another turn brings into sight Adachi. He has comfortable pillows stacked around his head while Kota reads a book, holding one of his hands. Zura is also there, asleep with Abe's other hand in her own.
Another turn brings her to Voso. He is being fed some goop by Baki while Alrund glowers down to him with arms crossed.
Makami weakly falls against the wall, staring out into the ground for answers as to how this all could have gone so wrong.