EXT SOUTHERN METROPOLIS - EVENING
Makami and Toyo walk the icy streets with Akna.
AKNA
A fugitive, you say?
MAKAMI
More of a person of interest. You may well remember him from the news some months back - Pi-Ran?
They've come to a damaged section of the street, chunks of ice floating atop loose water.
AKNA
(groaning)
Would someone please tell those workers to block off this street before someone hurts themselves!?
(to Makami)
This is what I was talking about - melting. Everywhere with this melting. The water level is rising because of it all.
TOYO
The whole glacier is melting?
AKNA
Naw, just the weaker points we never bothered to check. We've got a team of divers that'll head down and freeze the glacier for hundreds of feet deep again.
MAKAMI
That just delays the inevitable, doesn't it?
AKNA
If you wanna give us that island you fly around on, Miss Avatar, I'd be happy to take it.
Akna wipes off a line of running water from a window sill.
AKNA
If'n you need to use the tunnel to the north, I suggest you do so in the next few days. Gotta close it up for the big freeze.
With that, the leader walks away, not even turning as Makami turns towards her.
MAKAMI
What about my person of interest?
AKNA
I ain't interested.
Makami sighs back, turning towards Toyo and the broken road as the crew work to block it off with large black, reflective cones.
TOYO
Door-to-door?
MAKAMI
I don't like how slow and inefficient that sounds. Akna gave me that room key. Wanna go check that out?
TOYO
Uh, sure.
CUT TO:
INT HOTEL ROOM - EVENING
The room is gargantuan with several dividers, a sunken circle in the center of the room surrounding a firepit, and a very blue aesthetic. Makami swings the doors inwards, immediately moving towards the center.
MAKAMI
I can try to find him spiritually.
Her bag plops to the ground as Toyo closes the door behind him. Visible from the bag is a brochure for those looking to buy an island titled 'So, you love island life?'
MAKAMI
Give me some time to meditate and I'll have a sense of where he is.
TOYO
An island, huh?
She looks back at him as he points to her bag.
TOYO
Don't you already have one of those?
MAKAMI
(smiling)
It was research for where to place it - furthest point from all other places sort of thing.
TOYO
Oh-ho, really going to challenge those phone company people to lay some serious line out to you, huh? I suppose you could Avatar from anywhere with that flying, mooing spirit thing you have, right?
Makami holds her eye contact with him for a moment.
MAKAMI
(slowly)
Actually...I was thinking about giving up the Avatar life after this is averted.
TOYO
(laughing emptily)
Ah, that's a good one.
MAKAMI
I'm still thinking it through, but...I'm leaning that way.
Toyo steps closer.
TOYO
You'd let this world take care of itself - this one, that we live in right now? And you've lived here how long?
MAKAMI
The Avatar has been involved in increasingly petty conflicts. I...everyone needs to learn to rule without me over their shoulder.
TOYO
(quietly)
Well, I don't...I don't know what to say.
She turns back and relaxes into the lotus position.
MAKAMI
Let's just see this through. Take the portable phone with you and I'll call you when I find him.
He pulls up his small shoulder satchel and slowly walks out of the room as Makami closes her eyes.
CUT TO:
EXT ADACHI'S HOUSEHOLD - EVENING
Abe very carefully, slowly, and considerately parallel parks in front of Adachi's house, unclicks their seatbelt, and turns off the car.
ABE
How was that?
Adachi is out with Kota, both moving up towards the house.
ADACHI
Much better, Abe.
Abe and Zura stay in the car, her clicking open the glove compartment to see the owner's manual. She touches it, her head cocking to the side.
ZURA
Did you know this car comes with a name?
ABE
A name? What is it?
ZURA
Petunia.
Abe nods approvingly.
Walking up the path, Adachi has his keys out.
ADACHI
And you are not to speak to your brother about this until I speak to Makami.
KOTA
Yeah, fine.
She stops and points at his ajar front door. Adachi sees it as well, taking his cane in both hands.
INT ADACHI'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
He pushes open the door slowly, stepping into the complete mess that is his first floor. He shoots over to his lower cabinet safe, which is open with no signs of bent metal.
ADACHI
(growling)
Someone's taken it.
KOTA
Taken what?
ADACHI
(angrily)
All the evidence I had!
KOTA
The lock's still intact - did they break the safe?
ADACHI
(growling)
No.
He stands up, looking for any clue around him.
ADACHI
(quickly)
It must've been him - I don't know how.
KOTA
Who, grandpa?
ADACHI
Your brother.
CUT TO:
EXT ADACHI'S HOUSEHOLD
Zura and Abe are reading some of the manuals from the glove box to pass the time. Hers looks to be a warranty while Abe thumbs through the user's manual.
ABE
Hm, this thing has cruise control.
ZURA
And if you get into a wreck, make sure it's the other person's fault.
ABE
Good advice.
Abe lowers the book.
ABE
You know why I love this hunk of water-gurgling metal? It fits me. Just today, I went from police-attracting fast to maternally-protective with my driving style. How many other things have that kind of flexibility?
ZURA
What about those bands on swimsuits?
ABE
...the elastic ones?
ZURA
(quietly)
Yeah those...those are cool...
ABE
They are cool. The way you talked about the car earlier, are you a gear-head too?
ZURA
(nervously)
Not...really. I touched the manual when you were talking to Kota and Nandy absorbed it all.
ABE
Who or what is a Nandy?
ZURA
(shyly)
The...spirit.
Abe nods and pans to look through the driver's side window.
ZURA
(quickly)
I didn't mean to hurt Adachi. It was scared and has some baddies trying to find it.
ABE
Mm-hm, well, I ain't one of them.
ZURA
I know that, and so does Nandy. I'd never let him hurt you.
ABE
And it wants to be friends?
ZURA
I don't think it knows what a friend is.
They turn back, holding up a fist.
ABE
Well, let's teach it a thing or two.
She looks at the fist like it's a present. She pounds it with both of hers.
ZURA
(swooning)
Yeah we will!
Abe's eyes drift up to see Kota on the stoop of the house. Her arms are crossed as she stares down to them.
ABE
(mumbling)
We should probably go inside.
The two exit the car, Abe moving up quickly to speak to Kota.
NANDAKA (O.S.)
(female echoing)
Zura or Zee, a query.
ZURA
(quietly)
Not a great time, Nandy.
NANDAKA (O.S.)
The rush of warmth when that stylish human touches you, what is that? Are you ill?
ZURA
(quickly)
Shut your curious hole! I'm not ill.
NANDAKA (O.S.)
Hm, I will inquire more later.
She comes up to the door with an awkward smile that neither Kota nor Abe return.
CUT TO:
INT SHII'S ROOM - DAY
Shii tosses and turns with sweat on his forehead. He's grunting as if in a nightmare.
He shocks himself awake into a coughing fit. A nurse comes forward to help him with his mask.
NURSE
(soothing)
It's okay, everything's okay. I'm sorry, I thought I was being quiet. I didn't mean to wake you, hunny.
His eyes are wide, scanning back and forth as he catches his breath.
SHII
(muffled)
Is...how long have I been asleep?
NURSE
(soothing)
I'm not sure, I just came in to check on you.
He closes his eyes and breathes as deeply as he can over and over.
CUT TO:
EXT SOUTHERN METROPOLIS STREETS - NIGHT
Toyo walks through a park of fountains swirling water in intricate shapes from one spot to another. He has the massive cellphone strapped to his shoulder and an unwieldy headset around his ears. Electric lamps buzz around him amongst the crowd.
TOYO
Am I colder or warmer?
MAKAMI (O.S.)
(electronic)
Warmer.
CUT TO:
INT HOTEL ROOM
Makami concentrates with her eyes closed and the phone off the hook in front of her.
TOYO (O.S.)
(electronic)
My cell plan is running out of minutes.
MAKAMI
I think he's trying to block me.
CUT TO:
EXT SOUTHERN METROPOLIS STREETS - CONTINUOUS
Toyo smells a bouquet of flowers a young man carries by him. He looks disgusted by the scent.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
(electronic)
You're definitely in the right area though.
TOYO
Great, I'll just pick a direction.
He pulls his woolen collar up to protect against the chill.
TOYO
(mumbling)
Maybe I'll find a direction towards a soup stand.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
(electronic)
Get some after.
TOYO
After what, exactly? I point at him, a chase ensues, and I-
A hand wraps around his mouth and yanks him through a cloth doorway.
INT STRANGE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Toyo elbows his way free, turning to see Kouichi with both hands up, backing away. He is in grey clothes with sunken eyes.
KOUICHI
Hello, Toyo.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
(electronic)
Toyo? Toyo!?
Toyo smashes his back against the wall, crushing the phone and ripping off the headset.
CUT TO:
INT HOTEL ROOM
Makami is leaned over the phone.
MAKAMI
(loudly)
Toyo!?
She tumbles over the back of the couch, ripping the door open without a jacket or shoes.
CUT TO:
INT STRANGE HOUSE
Toyo and Kouichi stand tensely for another moment as Toyo drops the broken equipment. The former leader sports tattered clothes, far away from his former robes of glory, but far more inconspicuous.
TOYO
Where's Pi-Ran?
KOUICHI
I don't know. I haven't seen him since I left Capital City.
TOYO
But...Makami's here looking for Pi-Ran.
KOUICHI
I'm the only one here. How close is she?
TOYO
She'll be in the square in a few minutes.
KOUICHI
And he sent you here too, didn't he? Are you here to finish the job before he finds out you let me live?
TOYO
I'm here to tell you you're bad at hiding, Kouichi. And to ask you to your face - did you sell us out to Adachi?
The look on Kouichi's face tells Toyo everything he needs to know.
TOYO
(bitterly)
You, of all people...
KOUICHI
I sold out Fuu-Ki. You two should get out while you still can.
TOYO
Why would we? We're helping to make the world a better place.
KOUICHI
No, Toyo.
He grabs Toyo's shoulders firmly.
KOUICHI
Fuu-Ki's promise of Ananta Shesha will destroy the world, not save it.
Toyo shrugs out of Kouichi's grip.
TOYO
What?
KOUICHI
He lied to us, Toyo. Whatever he's asked of you, ignore it.
TOYO
Did I hit you on the head too hard in our fight?
KOUICHI
Ask the Avatar. She knows what I'm talking about.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
(shouting)
Toyo!?
Toyo pushes Kouichi towards a back entrance.
TOYO
(whispering)
Get out of here and find a better hiding spot!
Kouichi pushes through another curtain. Toyo peers through the curtain.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
(shouting)
Toyo!?
He eyes an earthen pot in the room and sighs. Right after, he brings the full pot up towards his face at speed.
CUT TO:
EXT SOUTHERN METROPOLIS STREETS
Makami looks over to the house where Toyo emerges, dragging the equipment behind him.
MAKAMI
(relieved)
Toyo, there you are!
TOYO
(groaning)
Yeah, got hit from behind.
He moves his hand to reveal a large red spot on his head.
MAKAMI
By Pi-Ran?
TOYO
I didn't see. Are you...do you not have shoes on?
She looks down.
MAKAMI
I forgot.
TOYO
(laughing)
You? You forgot about something as science-y as frost bite?
MAKAMI
W-well, you wouldn't answer! I had to get out here.
TOYO
I'm fine, I promise. Let's get your feet some soup.
She chuckles sweetly before hugging him tightly.
CUT TO:
INT PRISON TOWER - NIGHT
The sweltering interior of the most secure space in the Fire Nation is lined with platinum. The walkway is painted black, showing the lines of heat coming up from the floor. From the doorway pours fire light as Alrund comes in. She steps quickly forward, sitting in front of the lone cell.
Inca, her sister, turns around, looking malnourished and sickly. Her glasses are broken and taped in a few spots, and her eyes are filled with a focused anger towards her sister.
INCA
(angrily)
I won't thank you for this new hole to sleep in.
ALRUND
I don't care, Inca. I need you to listen to me. Whether you believe me or not about Voso forcing me to launch those bombs, he is going to pay.
INCA
(bitterly)
Right, the Emperor and the Avatar - the most powerful couple in the world - are gonna be taken down by us. We merry few!
ALRUND
We're aiming for him, not her.
INCA
(angrily)
Oh, grow up! If you want to hurt one of them, you will have to destroy them both.
ALRUND
(quietly)
I don't think so.
INCA
(angrily)
Well, I don't care. You can paint the past any way you want, but if you shift blame onto Voso, you'll have to burn down the whole family.
Inca turns and lies down.
INCA
(angrily)
And you'll have to do it without me.
ALRUND
(quietly)
I wish I could convince you. This man is more powerful than anyone else, and is the only person to ever take us apart. The only way we'll ever come together again is with him gone.
She gets up and walks out, both of the sisters frowning heavily as they do.
CUT TO:
INT SHII'S ROOM - NIGHT
Shii is asleep again, his heart monitor methodically plodding along. The door slowly, quietly opens with Voso sliding in through a shadow. He approaches Shii's bedside and carefully touches his wrist.
VOSO
(whispering)
Don't wake up - did you retrieve the evidence?
SHII
(moaning)
Yes.
VOSO
(whispering)
Where is it?
SHII
(moaning)
Pillow.
Voso reaches beneath Shii's head and pulls out the small case with Adachi's evidence. He takes it into his other hand.
VOSO
(whispering)
I have one more task for you, Shii. Bring Zura to me. Do whatever it takes.