INT ZURA'S OFFICE
Zura spins a plate of pizza on her finger, taking well-timed bites of the crust. A knock on her door sends the plate wobbling, then crashing to the ground.
ZURA
Aw - what!?
In walks the CEO, which brings her spine straight and wipes the sauce off her face with a quick sweep of her tongue.
CEO
Bad time?
ZURA
No, no, come in. Did you want some pizza?
CEO
Uh, no, I have people that eat my tomato pies for me.
He sits down, unbuttoning one of his suit buttons to get comfortable. Zura looks small in her chair.
CEO
What's the celebration for?
ZURA
(hesitantly)
Great...work...paradigm productivity.
CEO
Ah, great - I look forward to the T.L.D.R. in the Q.B.R.
She shakes the confusion from her face.
ZURA
Yep, it'll be cool.
CEO
Miss Ayame, I hope that you trust in the Cabbage Corp mission and what it takes to keep this island afloat.
ZURA
(slowly)
You don't...mean the whole island, right?
CEO
(chortling)
Good joke, well done.
She scratches her face and giggles nervously.
CEO
What I'm here to ask is really about your connection to the Avatar.
ZURA
What about her?
CEO
Well, given the current bad PR storm she finds herself in, we want to be a pioneer in establishing a neo-digm in a post-Avatar-centric world. I've been told you might be willing to help us drive that ship forward.
ZURA
You want me to help you...do...what?
He laughs again and leans forward.
CEO
(low voice)
CC is asking you to prove your loyalty to a company that has shown you nothing but love. What do you say?
Zura looks down and away, unable to answer immediately. She snaps back with a smile as an alarm hits.
ZURA
(energetically)
Lunch time!
She pops up from her chair with two pizza boxes in hand. The CEO follows her in standing, buttoning his jacket.
CEO
Of course. I do hope to hear very soon about where your loyalties lie, Miss Ayame.
Zura turns back from the door.
CEO
And do know that we do not take disloyalty sitting down.
He gives her a finger gun and clicks his tongue before she pops back with a smile.
ZURA
(excitedly)
M'kay!
CUT TO:
INT AIR NATION TEACHING COLLEGE - DAY
Master Paya is at the front of the classroom as the concerned students scatter towards the door. He waves away the chalk from the board with a single gust of air, sending several wind spinners on two of the boards into a tizzy.
Shii walks in against the student rush with the bone gourd slung over his shoulder.
SHII
Advanced International Law.
Paya pauses for a beat in packing his materials.
SHII
How far the Air Nation has come from teaching on crumbling parchment.
Paya turns, waggling a pair of rolled-up scrolls.
MASTER PAYA
We've not moved far enough. It seems all of our pushes to join the modern world end in us being put back in our place.
SHII
Change must be sharp enough to rip the toughest fabrics.
MASTER PAYA
Master Yeo-Po...sixth age.
SHII
Well done, professor.
Shii comes up to the desk while Paya looks almost relaxed behind his small lectern.
SHII
You and I never had a chance to bury our hatchet before I left for good.
He lets the jug lightly slap to the desk.
SHII
Meelo suggested I give this a try.
Paya shakes his head with a smirk. He takes the jug and thumbs off the cork.
MASTER PAYA
I suppose my class schedule is done for the day.
Shii pulls up a chair while Paya brings out a pair of small rock cups.
CUT TO:
INT NOSHIMURA PARADISE CAFETERIA - DAY
Zura looks down at an open box of cold pizza across from Kota, who digs in without remorse. She is dressed sharply in a full pantsuit with a laminated nametag hanging off her hip. The cafeteria itself is abuzz with other name-tagged people.
ZURA
And now, I think they want me to completely sell out Makami for...something? I think a new project? Who knows.
KOTA
(mouth filled)
Sounds rough.
ZURA
Yeah, I don't know what to do.
Kota swallows and cocks her head.
KOTA
But you're not still thinking about selling Makami out are you? Did the other night's fear of the mother teach you nothing?
ZURA
(shrugging)
Would it even bother Makami? She's out saving the world and blah, blah, blah.
KOTA
Take it from me, she's having trouble saving herself right now. You can't do that to your sister, mother, family, descendants, ancestors-
ZURA
Then how'd you do it?
KOTA
Me? What did I do?
ZURA
Aren't you some big shot here now?
KOTA
(chuckling)
Oh, well, let me correct you there...
Kota licks each of her fingers individually and stands up.
KOTA
I'm not a big shot...
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT NOSHIMURA PARADISE TRACK - DAY
Kota and Zura stand at the top of renovated stands to the once popular racing track. Now, there are individual platforms built into the stands for various games of chance, all of them very busy.
The track is far greener and more luxurious, the loose ground replaced with rows of stone tables beneath floral-pattern overhangs. Instead of racing, the animals slide around with trays on their backs, being tended to by men and women wearing reins and carrying very full poop bags.
Kota holds her hands up in presentation.
KOTA
I'm the big shot!
ZURA
(quietly)
Holy cannoli...
KOTA
Oh yeah, that dusty old racetrack is gone in favor of the world's first outdoor entertainment epicenter...for adults only, of course.
They walk down the stairs with Kota pridefully glowing and Zura absorbing it all.
KOTA
You're fine as long as you stick with me.
ZURA
You built all of this?
KOTA
Well, I directed people to build all of this.
ZURA
Wait, really? You didn't help?
KOTA
There are other ways to help besides throwing your back out with a big hammer swing. I renamed it Noshimura's Paradise.
ZURA
How did you ever get the old building in the first place?
KOTA
The new Emperor gifted it to my grandpa for his retirement, and he gifted it to me for my birthday to win my love.
(whispering)
But keep that as a secret.
ZURA
(disappointed)
Oh, sure, yeah...
KOTA
Aw, c'mon, it's not that big of a deal. I made something good out of it, right?
ZURA
I guess so.
KOTA
Good - and you can make something good out of your own little "inheritance" from knowing Makami. Now, what I would-
Zura's fists ball up at her sides until she springs to Kota's face.
ZURA
(angrily)
I don't want anything from her or you! You're just as bad as her!
KOTA
(scoffing)
Well, if the way I do business doesn't suit you, find someone else to not listen to.
Zura storms away.
KOTA
(shouting)
Thats the bathroom! Exits this way!
She slaps her face as a man yelps in a high pitch.
ZURA (O.S.)
Whoops, sorry.
Zura stomps past going the opposite way.
CUT TO:
INT MASTER PAYA'S OFFICE
Shii is leaned forward with his cup gently tilted on his lips while Paya swerves around like an air torrent, clearly the more inebriated of the two.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
The winds on the way down were as crazy as it gets!
SHII
I remember.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
Yeah...yeah...yeah, but you weren't-er, you were with Ma-ka-mi, psh!
He pours himself another.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
What'n Avatar she's turned out to be.
SHII
She's got time yet to make her mark. She did save two cities in one night, and has saved people since.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
Sav-saving people is like breathin' for Avatars. K'rra and A...*hic* Aang would save three people b'fore eleven-sies!
They both laugh, even as Shii doesn't look to be having as much fun.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
I mean...
He puts his cup down and reaches for Shii's face.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
Look...look what she did...
He awkwardly rubs his sweating hands across Shii's face, who has his eyes wide open in clear unease.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
She's aged you by forty-er-y years.
SHII
No, Paya, heh...
He pushes away his hands.
SHII
I've been this old and feeling older all the time.
MASTER PAYA
(grunting loudly)
Ugh, don't I know that feeling! It's-it's a certain age when your brain's like...like 'No more kiddin' around!'
SHII
Have to finish it all up before the end.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
That's why - and I'mma being honest here - that's why I was glad that your wife died as early as she did.
Shii's expression is frozen with his eyes locked on Paya's mouth.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
Smart, savvy, and tough she was, but...but she woulda driven us back'inna trench, Kai. When she left, an' you left, I had a chance to push these people inna'the light!
Paya's eyes meet Shii's for a moment before he breaks into laughter, slapping Shii on the shoulder.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
T'be honest, buddy? C'mon, we're jus...jus' talkin'.
He sighs back into his chair while Shii's grip on his cup tightens.
MASTER PAYA
(sighing)
Tha's one good thing about the old capital crushin' to the ground.
He picks up his cup and toasts to no one.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
To never havin' to clean those graves again!
Shii flings his drink, ripping through the air with a strike. Paya is slammed against the wall while the wooden desk between them is split in half.
SHII
(angrily)
Apologize to her, now!
MASTER PAYA
(grunting)
Some nerve ya got swingin' at me.
SHII
(shouting)
NOW!
He begins to cough, which makes Paya chuckle as he drops into a mocking stance.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
You're'ot worth the swing. Gimme a good one, Kai.
Shii takes the gourd from the floor and completely upends it into his mouth, chugging in several gulps. His coughing turns to a single hiccup as his eyes cloud and his cheeks redden.
SHII
(slurring)
My name'Shii!
He spins forward with a one-arm gust that gathers tremendous force and strength.
CUT TO:
EXT AIR NATION UNIVERSITY ZEN GARDEN - DAY
Students all around use their air bending to play various instruments, move sand in an orderly fashion, or just meditate upon.
That is, until a section of the university wall comes crashing out with Paya's body among the boulders. He backflips onto his feet from the ground, but doubles over almost instantly.
MASTER PAYA
(cautiously)
Whoa - hold...hold...on.
He belches satisfyingly.
MASTER PAYA
(relieved)
Ah, alright. Now-
Another gust of air aimed at his legs sweeps him into the sky as Shii slides closer, bringing his hand down to slam Paya to the ground. Paya counters with a spin in the air that sends air up beneath Shii's chin.
He is knocked back, but whips his feet out from under himself fast enough to blast air into Paya's chest. As he nips up, Paya lands in the sandy garden with a grunt.
MASTER PAYA
(slurring)
Al...alright.
He blasts himself forward on a ball of air while Shii looks off-balance. Paya tries to strike through Shii's body on the left, but Shii stumbles out of the way. He comes around for another strike of air, but Shii bends at his midsection and spins low to the ground, pushing up a small tornado that upends Paya.
Shii stumbles to the ground as Paya falls like a rocket. Just before he hits, Shii spins again, sending his fists into Paya's chest with a massive air blast that tumbles him in the air.
Paya slams against a tree hard enough to partially uproot it. He wipes at his focusing face, then springs ahead, snatching at two long copper tubes used as windchimes. One whistles as he whips it towards Shii.
He jumps and twirls around the tube, using the air to redirect it into his hand and blocking Paya's swing with a satisfying twang. They jockey for position while their feet stay perfectly balanced on the tips of uneven rocks.
Paya's swing aims at the rock beneath Shii's foot, causing him to tumble and lose his weapon. This time, he stays down, coughing without pause while Paya falls back on his butt and loses his own weapon.
SHII
(coughing)
You...owe...her!
MASTER PAYA
(panting)
Wh-what?
Shii sits up against the building, gaining control of his body.
SHII
(panting)
Meelo, me - anyone but her could've taken over when the nation needed a leader, but you, who sat in the shadows! She broke the nation away from Republic City, opened the door for change, and paved the way for people like you.
(angrily)
You owe her memory an apology!
Paya wipes at his brow as he stands up unevenly. He guiltily looks over to Shii, still on the ground.
MASTER PAYA
(contritely)
Stand up, Shii. Can you walk?
SHII
(slurring)
Of...course I can.
MASTER PAYA
Then let's go find a stone in the field.
Shii climbs his way up the wall to stand shakily. The two use one another to stay upright.
SHII
(slurring)
You've lost a step.
MASTER PAYA
I told you, I'm old.
CUT TO:
INT ZURA'S OFFICE
Kin types at a hypnotic speed that only comes to an end when Zura opens the door. Kin doesn't look towards her.
ZURA
Hey-a - I know, late back from lunch. Heh, again!
Kin goes back to typing.
KIN
(pointedly)
Well, you are the boss.
ZURA
Yeahhhh, but not for much longer, maybe.
She sits and spins in her chair.
ZURA
Or for way longer, I don't know.
KIN
(mumbling)
You never do.
ZURA
I thought I did. I thought hard work and smartest, big-brain-est ideas brought you to the next level, but I guess not.
KIN
No, not for everyone.
ZURA
Everyone I've talked to. Kota had a freakin' business handed to her, and your big ideas got you punished.
KIN
That's not what happened to me.
Zura stops spinning as Kin stops typing.
ZURA
What did happen?
KIN
After your sister left, I was pushed to fire her and fill the position - treat her as a deserter. I met you and your mother, saw how hard you worked to conceal the whole situation from me. I stood up against productivity in favor of community. Since then, I was locked out of meetings, criticized more, and praised less. I see now that I was always fooling myself for a promotion.
ZURA
You stood up for me?
KIN
I did, and I'm frighteningly certain that I'd do it again.
ZURA
But why? You loved this place - you hated Makami! Why?
KIN
It felt natural to stand up for your family. As though the consequences would never measure up to the good it did.
Kin glances to Zura one more time before typing again. Zura springs out of the chair and hugs her shoulders awkwardly.
ZURA
Thank you...
KIN
(face smushed)
Uhuh...
Zura releases and spins in the chair back to her desk.
ZURA
Take a note for me, Master!
KIN
(smiling)
Ready.
ZURA
Dear Mister CEO...
CUT TO:
EXT RIVER BANK - EARLY EVENING
Voso is doubled-over, splashing water against his face as his spirit friends are all passed out on the ground. He sits back with some concerned air benders coming over.
AIR BENDER 1
Nothing. We walked for a few miles but the trail is gone.
VOSO
Okay. Thank you.
AIR BENDER 2
Ah, Grand Master!
Meelo slides off his ball of air with a concerned expression.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Is there any sign?
AIR BENDER 1
No, Grand Master. We do have boats out...just in case.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Yes, well, why don't you two head back.
The two bow and walk away as Voso brings himself up, his face dusty and tired.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
I should've brought you some food.
VOSO
I'm fine.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
You're pale, even under all that dirt - oh!
Meelo kneels down and accepts the spirit creatures that approach him curiously.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(happily)
Hello there, spirits!
They all turn towards Voso.
VOSO
Go ahead.
They all happily run up Meelo's arms.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(laughing)
Ah - oh, they tickle! Are these all your friends?
VOSO
Yes, some of my oldest.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
I hadn't realized you were so adept with spiritual communication. That's a rare gift.
VOSO
(bitterly)
Yeah, a gift.
Voso throws a rock upstream.
VOSO
(shouting)
Gifts don't let you down when you need them most!
Voso huffs and turns back to Meelo.
VOSO
(sighing)
I can feel the spirits of those I'm close to, or I had been able to.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Truly?
VOSO
My sister is there...
He points out to the ocean, roughly south-west.
VOSO
My assistant is there...
His finger moves north west.
VOSO
And Makami is just...gone.
He lets his hand drop, his face filling with emotion.
VOSO
(scared)
That's never happened. It could mean...
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Take it from me, young man, the comings and goings of the Avatar's spirit are not a simple affair. Why, she could very well be fighting still in the Spirit World.
Voso lets his head drop as Meelo places one hand on his shoulder. The spirits use this bridge to come over and comfort Voso.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Never lose hope in those that need it most.
VOSO
Thank you, Grand Master.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Meelo, please.
He begins to walk away.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Now, let's get you some food and restart the search.
Voso takes one of his friends into his hand, looking until a spark of inspiration hits him.
VOSO
Grand...Meelo?
He turns back.
VOSO
Do you have anything that can get me to Republic City?
CUT TO:
EXT THE FIELD OF BLOSSOMS - SUNSET
Amongst a beautiful, full field of waving dandelion blossoms, there are markers of monolithic stone carved into the likenesses of those that have passed. In the center are Shii and Paya.
Around the round edges are faded carvings of old air masters, all facing inwards. The white rocks that line each bed of white lotus flowers all culminate in a circle around the two of them.
SHII
(softly)
This is new.
MASTER PAYA
The Field of White Undone. It was one of our first creations - a new way to honor our dead.
SHII
And cleaning them...?
MASTER PAYA
(smiling)
We let the wind do that now. Seemed somehow more honorable to their memory.
He eyes Shii's fidgeting hands.
MASTER PAYA
You don't have to go through this again.
SHII
I'm okay.
MASTER PAYA
Very well.
He holds up the quartz carving, done so in the resemblance of Jinora.
MASTER PAYA
We gather among the many blossoming seeds to welcome the life of one of our fallen to the winds.
CUT TO:
INT CEO'S OFFICE - NIGHT
The CEO knocks back a drink as his assistant comes in with a very messy slice of pizza.
MASTER PAYA (V.O.)
Allow her on this journey to grow again.
He turns to see her presenting the slice, and the ink written into the cheese and sauce that drips onto his floor reads 'I quit'.
CUT TO:
EXT NOSHIMURA PARADISE TRACK - NIGHT
An organizer tries and fails to hold down a tent spike under heavy winds as Kota watches with her arms folded.
MASTER PAYA (V.O.)
To add her life force and goodness to the planet.
Kota comes over and picks up the hammer to help, much to the organizer's relief.
CUT TO:
EXT THE FIELD OF BLOSSOMS - EARLY NIGHT
MASTER PAYA
To endure past the troubles of today.
Shii and Paya extend their arms, releasing upward gusts of air that bring the many seeds floating into a sky bound pillar of white in the sunset.
Paya turns and extends his hand to Shii, who takes it quickly and warmly.
MASTER PAYA
I'm sorry for how I acted, Shii, and I'm sorry she's gone.
SHII
Me too, Paya.
The seeds flutter in the air as they stay quiet in remembrance.
CUT TO:
EXT NADIR - SPIRIT WORLD
Makami rolls around a field of symmetrical black grass that waves in unison atop dark blue ground.
MAKAMI
(moaning)
What happened?
She sits up as a wisp of spirit wanders by without much form. Then, another and another, catching her eye.
MAKAMI
Spirits?
She feels her shoulders.
MAKAMI
I'm in my physical body, but I'm in the spirit world?
Standing, she realizes the enormity of the area around her. The sky is a pale yellow with a black and white, pulsating black hole splitting it in the far background.
She takes a step backwards only to have the ground crumble under her heel.
MAKAMI
Whoa!
She jumps forward, but gains no further height.
MAKAMI
My bending is gone?
She spins to see a cliff where ravenous, growling noises are emerging. Edging closer, she peers over to horrific surprise.
MAKAMI
(whispering)
How is this possible?
Below, there is an endless field of evil spirits, all wild and jagged in their green appearance. Their collective growl rises in hunger and rage, all of them ready to pounce if they suspect Makami of watching.
MAKAMI
(whispering)
I'm stuck here...