INT ROOM ONE-TWO-TWO-ONE
The room is abuzz with dignitaries, decorations, and far too few inroads. All of the famous faces from the top governments are present around Voso's bed, he himself wearing a get well soon birthday hat. Adachi is not present.
From the crowd jumps Toyo.
TOYO
(shouting)
Could the assistants please vacate the room so there can be some airflow!?
The wave of assistants push out with Toyo.
TOYO
Yes, yes, come on now, don't be scared.
Akna and Brindauk walk up to either side of Voso, both shaking his hands lightly.
AKNA
We know y'all can't speak too well yet, but we wanted to wish you the best in recovering.
BRINDAUK
Yes, and we hope us all being here at once would be great for your morale.
Voso opens his mouth to speak.
AKNA
(quickly)
And we brought you the largest fruit bouquet you've ever seen!
He looks over and, true to her word, the bouquet takes up a full corner with blue and green berries. A gigantic card is signed and set into an icy frame. Voso's little spirit friends bounce upon the fruit and slide up and down the ice.
CUT TO:
INT HOSPITAL CORRIDOR
Paya and Meelo stand next to Shii's bed with crossed hands and smiles. In the open door in the background is the precession of assistants moving down the hall.
SHII
(muffled)
It was kind of you both to stop by.
MASTER PAYA
Yes, we deserve to be idolized for taking a few minutes to say hello.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(chortling)
Even in peace, you two are ever-turbulent spirits together. Imagine what these wits would do if aligned!
Toyo pops his head into the room.
TOYO
Sorry, Shii old boy, but the leaders are all crowding around Voso if you two want to join.
SHII
(muffled)
Go, go. I'll meet you outside and we'll play some pai-sho.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
Anytime, Shii, anytime.
The two walk into the hallway, squeezing past some of the stragglers. Zura is leaving Adachi's room and accidentally bumps into Paya.
ZURA
Whoop, sorry!
She spins right into Meelo's large belly. He gently grasps her shoulders and chuckles.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(kindly)
Careful, child. These hallways have become a jungle today.
ZURA
(snorting)
No kidding. Gotta go.
She squeezes by him while Paya weakly waves at her back.
MASTER PAYA
(mumbling)
Like I'm just a lump of wax.
GRAND MASTER MEELO
(musing)
Wax in the shape of a person? Don't you think there's something to that idea?
MASTER PAYA
(grumbling)
Don't you go senile on me, Meelo...
The two of them cross into Voso's room.
MEELO (O.S.)
Ah, fruit!
CUT TO:
INT HOSPITAL LOBBY - DAY
The main rows of chairs are filled with assistants and assistants to assistants. Toyo and Alrund stand near the hallway entrance.
Zura comes up behind them.
ZURA
Hey, do you guys know where the cafeteria is?
ALRUND
It's...I'll just show you.
(to Toyo)
Have fun babysitting.
TOYO
(grumbling)
Hey, thanks, have funnnn!
CUT TO:
INT HOSPITAL CAFETERIA - DAY
Makami takes a gigantic drink of coffee straight from the pot while Kota has a 128-ounce cup, presumably of the same.
KOTA
(tiredly)
Remember when we were playing bar games and talking about desserts?
MAKAMI
(gasping for air)
I haven't had a pastry in way too long.
She goes back to her cauldron.
KOTA
(sighing)
I wish those stupid stuffed shirts would leave Voso's room so we could scarf down some fruit at least.
Makami gurgles a response as the metal door squeaks shut. Zura walks up as Makami sets aside the massive coffee pot.
She sits across from Makami.
KOTA
I'll go see about some sugar to chase our coffee.
ZURA
(angsty)
Mom told me to come here to be the bigger person.
MAKAMI
(grunting)
She told me I was being like Dad.
ZURA
Are you gonna leave now?
MAKAMI
No, she meant...she meant being icy when the walls crumbled around him. Dad loved numbers and trying to predict where the wind would blow next. He would show me whole packets of graphs and research, and be so excited when he was right. Then, he wasn't - again and again, then he was a block of ice.
She pats the large stack of papers.
MAKAMI
What's been hurting my head today is that I gave him his very first magazine that got him into numbers. It was in a bookstore, he and Mom wanted to go but I just had to show him the pretty graph on the cover.
Zura's look has softened.
MAKAMI
You know Pi-Ran, the guy that wrote this?
She nods.
MAKAMI
He was a fruit drink server that wanted to make a difference. One day, he shook the wrong hand, made the wrong friend, and bam - the relative risk ratio shoots through the roof.
ZURA
So I should be more careful with my choices?
MAKAMI
We both need to be because we don't know what small choice could lead us to a very dark path.
She lays her hand palm up on the table.
MAKAMI
Or into very, very dark company.
Zura hesitates, but eventually places her hand next to her sister's.
ZURA
I don't want to hurt you like I did Adachi.
MAKAMI
I've handled a spirit or two. One was even a big braid of eyes.
ZURA
Ew...
MAKAMI
Right?
She offers her hand again.
MAKAMI
C'mon. Trust me.
Their hands interlock and Makami's eyes close quickly. Zura is right behind her.
INT SPIRIT PLANE - CONTINUOUS
The chairs, floor, and walls wash away to blackness with Zura and Makami sitting on nearby patches of golden grass.
ZURA
It's dark here.
MAKAMI
This is a pocket where we can talk.
Out from Makami's shoulders seeps Raava, bringing Zura's eyes wide.
From her own shoulders seeps the phantom of Nandaka's multi-faced head.
MAKAMI
Nandaka? That's where you are?
NANDAKA
(child echoing)
Raava, it is good to see you again.
Raava moves forward, circling Nandaka to see all of its heads.
RAAVA
(echoing)
I can hardly fathom what brought you into the human world.
NANDAKA
You and your will inspired me, Raava.
MAKAMI
Even old spirits can learn new tricks.
NANDAKA
I wish there was more time to speak, but we must be quick. He is here.
Makami's eyes widen in shock.
CUT TO:
INT ROOM ONE-TWO-TWO-ONE
The room shows smiles all around, including Meelo with a wedge of watermelon as sharpened teeth to scare Brindauk for a laugh.
Adachi is in the corner, eyeing Voso carefully in a robe and with a cane nearby. Toyo is panting as he enters the room, drawing Adachi's eyes enough for him to not notice Injaya slinking closer.
PRESIDENT INJAYA
You look focused, Adachi.
He turns to the President of Republic City, regarding her with a deep bow.
ADACHI
(mumbling)
Forgive me, Madame President. Healing takes focus.
PRESIDENT INJAYA
That's Injaya to you, Adachi. How many times must I smack down your formalities?
ADACHI
(mumbling)
I apologize, Injaya.
PRESIDENT INJAYA
Out of your bed to speak to your grandson?
ADACHI
No, nothing so urgent.
Her finger comes under his chin, turning his eyes to her.
PRESIDENT INJAYA
Then perhaps you could make a girl feel welcome, hm?
He smiles and nods.
Over by the bed, Paya shakes Voso's hand with both of his.
MASTER PAYA
I believe the early policies you've put in place signify a fantastic partnership to come between our nations. I wish you and yours-
FUU-KI
(echoing)
Gentlemen.
Toyo turns towards the bed with Paya still shaking Voso's hand. His eyes are wide above the oxygen mask.
FUU-KI
(echoing)
It is an honor to meet you at last. In the flesh, as it were, and at the very end of all the plans. I am comforted to see such symmetry.
Toyo leans his elbow against the wall.
FUU-KI
(echoing)
My dear Kin-Ki. You have come such a long way since your youth. Nary a step has been easy, but you are ever-stronger for the climb.
TOYO
(whispering)
You're here? Now?
FUU-KI
(echoing)
I am.
He turns around to look into the room, locking upon Paya, who is still speaking to and shaking Voso's hand.
FUU-KI
(echoing)
And Sui-Ki - the spear of our team. To you two, our coming lord Ananta Shesha owes much. I am in your debt-
MASTER PAYA
That is why it pains me...
Voso's eyes lock on Paya in shock as he sits upon the edge of the bed. Paya's eyes are wide and calm as his lips move. The voice comes in through Voso's mind - the voice of Fuu-Ki himself matching Paya's lips perfectly.
MASTER PAYA
To ask but one last task of you both.
Toyo slinks closer to listen, but is caught up by Adachi's hand hooking his arm harshly.
ADACHI
Toyo, wait.
TOYO
Hey Ad-
ADACHI
(quickly)
You know, I was given something very interesting recently. Something that had your face and name all over it - well, someone's name.
He slides a picture into Toyo's hand.
ADACHI
(whispering)
Kin-Ki.
He walks away, leaving Toyo with the implicating picture. The sound begins to dull against his senses until he hears the familiar echo.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Get everyone out of the room.
TOYO
(whispering)
Including you?
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Everyone.
Toyo eyes a connection lead to the heart monitor, then locks eyes with Voso. They both nod a moment before the metal comes loose and the heart monitor flatlines. Voso goes limp as the monitor drones harshly.
TOYO
(shouting)
Everyone! Get out so the doctors can work! Please, go!
Everyone files out quickly with Toyo closing the door behind them. Voso reinserts the lead as Toyo brings out the picture.
TOYO
(whispering)
He knows!
He shows Voso the picture of them and Kouichi through a window with labels above each of their heads.
TOYO
(whispering)
Your grandfather knows!
CUT TO:
INT SPIRIT WORLD
Makami is having trouble staying awake sitting next to Zura beneath the two spirits. They are projecting an amorphous white cloud above themselves.
NANDAKA
(female echoing)
Fuu-Ki is nearing the completion of his goal. Ananta Shesha is roiling, and the spirits are beginning to answer his call.
MAKAMI
(drowsily)
What do you mean answer the call?
NANDAKA
For each spirit that isn't attached to an anchor, they are drawn to add their energy to Ananta Shesha's. Raava, myself, and others attached to humans are the only ones that can resist.
ZURA
Isn't that Auntie Shaker spirit trying to destroy everything? Why would the other spirits help him?
RAAVA
(echoing)
Spirits are drawn towards strong energy and feed off the desires of the being attached.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
Spirits want to find somewhere to stay...
She flops down upon Zura's shoulder.
ZURA
Sorry, she's a little tired.
RAAVA
(echoing)
That she is. Her spirit is run thin.
NANDAKA
We do not have much time, Raava.
RAAVA
What would you have of us?
NANDAKA
Through my human's eyes, I have-
ZURA
Do you even know my name?
NANDAKA
Of course I do.
RAAVA
Respect your human, Nandaka. You will need Zura's help to accomplish this goal of ours.
NANDAKA
Of course.
(to Zura)
You are Zura Ayame of the Ayame bloodline. You are daughter to-
ZURA
Just call me Zura, or Zee, or any other nickname you can think of. Make sure it's shorter than my real name though, got it?
NANDAKA
(hesitant)
Y-yes, Zura or Zee.
ZURA
Close enough. What's she need to do? I'll pass along the message when she wakes up.
RAAVA
We must seek out the one with knowledge of Fuu-Ki. Where is the one who has written this book?
ZURA
How would I know?
NANDAKA
I may have a theory. There are only three main portals open within the human world, and now that spiritual interference is at a minimum, I may be able to seek out a tainted spirit.
ZURA
Tainted like meat or...?
NANDAKA
I am certain that Fuu-Ki has somehow tapped into the energy being gathered to wake Ananta Shesha. If he touched this human that we need to find, it will have left a trace.
RAAVA
But only at those three points, Nandaka. Our hope is slim.
NANDAKA
We must try.
RAAVA
Then I shall help while Makami slumbers.
The amorphous white transforms, showing them the entrance to the northern spirit portal. Through the white, there are dancing orbs of various colors and sizes, none larger than a beach ball. The colors dance beyond the frozen tundra like galloping stars.
ZURA
(wondrously)
What are all of those?
NANDAKA
(child echoing)
These are the spirits of the humans at the Northern Metropolis. The colors represent their strongest chakra point.
RAAVA
None of these humans appear to be tainted.
NANDAKA
Let us move to the next one.
CUT TO:
INT ROOM ONE-TWO-TWO-ONE
Toyo paces while Voso works to sit up in his bed, the oxygen mask slid off of his nose.
TOYO
(quickly)
We can spin the photograph as a private meeting between friends - just three old friends making small talk.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Calm yourselves. This is easily dealt with. Kin-Ki, you must now take care of two traitors.
TOYO
Two?
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Yes, Pi-Ran is still alive, penning books on the back of our great work.
VOSO
(ragged)
I thought he was taken care of?
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
One last failure from the departed Ognyo-Ki for us to correct. Kin-Ki...
TOYO
Yes, I heard. Where do I begin?
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
It's difficult to say. He's been careful to avoid my network. You will have to locate him yourself.
VOSO
(ragged)
Ask Makami. She'll be looking for him too.
Toyo stares with wide eyes at Voso.
VOSO
(ragged)
I'll take care of my grandfather if you tell me what we're meant to be doing at all.
TOYO
Are you out of your-?
He turns on his bed with a fiery look.
VOSO
(loudly)
I'm tired of being kept in the dark! I will not be put against my wife anymore for scraps of information!
He turns back and puts the oxygen back up to his coughing face.
TOYO
What is this Ananta Shesha, and why are they so important?
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Ananta Shesha is the keeper of all grace. When he awakens, all of the darkness in our world will be purged - do you understand what that means? As he awakens, he will sweep away malice itself!
Toyo is holding his temples with one hand.
TOYO
(angry)
You've had us keeping secrets for some new way to fight evil? That can't be all! Not after-
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
This is the fulfillment of the Avatar's broken promise! How many generations - on and on - has the Avatar played with the fate of the world?
CUT TO:
INT EARTH KINGDOM CARTOGRAPHER'S OFFICE - FLASHBACK
Makami is banging against an invisible barrier as a small boy is being bowed to by several generals. Everyone wears older outfits with the maps curled and drawn upon heavily, marking off halves of the continent in a golden ratio style.
FUU-KI (V.O.)
Every lifetime a new one ruled by the Avatar, dredged up by fools looking at animal bones and toys!
GENERAL HIN
There can be no mistake. We have combed the entire continent thoroughly. Your son is the next Avatar.
FUU-KI (V.O.)
And all the Avatar has been able to accomplish in all that time is prolonging our inevitable destruction.
CUT TO:
INT ROOM ONE-TWO-TWO-ONE
Voso and Toyo are both looking down, visibly grappling with this terrible decision.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Makami cannot prevail because the system is broken, my friends. Ananta Shesha is how it's all reset.
VOSO
(ragged)
And Makami doesn't...she will not be hurt in any of this?
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
There is only one spirit with power to rival Raava...
CUT TO:
INT SPIRIT WORLD
Zura is laying her jacket across Makami's shoulders as she flinches in her sleep. The spirit jacket phases out and appears back on her shoulders. Behind Zura are the two spirits peering out into a changing landscape.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Only Nandaka, the spirit inside of the Avatar's sister, will do. If we have one of them, the other is inconsequential.
RAAVA
(echoing)
There.
Zura turns and gazes into the portal, now settled over the Southern Metropolis. There, amongst the sparkling energies, is one black and green knot.
ZURA
(whispering)
He's at the Southern Metropolis.
CUT TO:
INT ROOM ONE-TWO-TWO-ONE
Voso uses the hard edge of the plastic bedframe to help himself up.
TOYO
So our choice is between Makami and Zura?
VOSO
(ragged)
Just the spirit inside of Zura. We can get it out - then do what with it?
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Leave the rest to me.
VOSO
(to Toyo)
Are you in, Kin-Ki?
Toyo bites at his nail for another moment before nodding.
TOYO
(solemnly)
I'll do what I have to.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
As will we all. Together.
CUT TO:
INT FIRE INITIATE DARK ROOM - PITCH BLACK
For a moment, we are unaware of what's happening. There is just an unsteady breathing.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
(nervously)
H-hello?
A series of seven candles are alight with Makami sitting in front of a blank-eyed version of herself. She settles back to her lotus position upon a red pillow. The other version of her wears a long, ceremonial red robe and a crown made of wrought, twisted iron.
MAKAMI
Are you here to see if I'm the Avatar?
CLONE
No.
The clone's hands rise, bringing the small flames with them.
CLONE
These flames reveal the truth. Nothing can hide from fire.
With the fists closing, extinguishing the flames, only the single, central flame remains.
CLONE
Treasure the truth, for it can be obscured. Ask, Avatar.
MAKAMI
Who is Fuu-Ki?
CLONE
That is not the truth you seek. That is not why you dream.
From the clone's hand extends her folded note from Voso that she has yet to open after all this time.
CLONE
Every small decision has led you here. Ask, Avatar.
Makami hesitates before putting her hands around the fire to shade it from any impropriety in the dark.
MAKAMI
(whispering)
What am I missing?
The flame whirls in different colors, spreading out like a pool of psychedelic water. Within the pool now is Voso's face smiling over his shoulder at her with a piece of black licorice atop his lip like a moustache.
MAKAMI
Voso?
CLONE
Ask, Avatar.
MAKAMI
What am I missing with Voso?
The note comes into Makami's vision. She takes it from the clone's hand.
MAKAMI
Love? I'm missing...I'm missing out on love.
CLONE
Ask, Avatar.
MAKAMI
For what? The end of the world is my excuse, but...
CLONE
Say it, Avatar.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Maybe I'm running away from everyone because I...
CLONE
Ask it, Avatar.
She looks up at the clone, still wide-eyed in their stare.
MAKAMI
Can I do both? Can I be the Avatar and be me?
The water shifts again across Makami's faces during her time with her friends and family - all smiles for the most part - while her time as the Avatar looks much more dour and angry.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
I don't like who I am as the Avatar.
CLONE
Avatar. Ask.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Does...does the world need an Avatar?
The pool shows nothing - no answer to speak of. The clone's hand comes down atop the flame, smothering the light from the scene.
CUT TO:
INT HOSPITAL LOBBY
The throng of dignitaries now clog the lobby with Alrund meeting Toyo as he comes in.
ALRUND
Is he...?
TOYO
Who?
Makami comes over from behind, wiping at her eyes.
MAKAMI
Hey, what's everyone down here for?
TOYO
Voso's fine. Just needed to brush everyone out of the room.
They smile at one another.
MAKAMI
Was something wrong?
TOYO
No.
He looks up, catching Master Paya's eyes in the crowd. Paya smiles as he takes back a drink, looking decadent as Toyo looks conflicted and afraid.
TOYO
It was a false alarm.