INT PRIVATE PLANE
Makami is in the back of the plane eyeing a plate of desserts in front of Zura. Baki and Al watch the clouds pass by while Toyo spins a metal top with his hand. The luxury of the plane's cockpit has everyone a little more at ease for the moment with tufted pillows and glass light fixtures above the fully-carpeted floor.
BAKI
Man, why doesn't Adachi use this bad boy more often? If my plane looked like this, I'd have taken you two to school in it.
ALRUND
I'm not sure. The logbook looked a little dusty.
TOYO
Ichiro used it once to fly in an emergency fruit shipment, but it was so full of juice and...uh, other stuff that it needed to be fixed. Hopefully they finished the repairs.
The utensils, plates, and glasses hanging on the walls rattle with sudden turbulence that turns Alrund and Baki white.
In the back, Zura's study continues on the small pastry log, beautifully dusted with white sugar and topped with glazed, red fruit. Makami is tying a belt around her shoulders to affix herself to the chair.
ZURA
What do you think is inside this thing?
MAKAMI
Didn't you order it?
ZURA
No, it was just sitting out here on the platter and it looked sooooo good, right?
MAKAMI
Mm-hm.
ZURA
C'mon, have a bite. When's the last time you had some tasty treats?
MAKAMI
That's not the tasty treat I'd have in mind to eat.
ZURA
Wait, why not? What's wrong with it?
MAKAMI
It's made of wood, Zee.
She flips the plate over, watching just a few grains of dust fall to the table. One of the pieces of fruit follows eventually.
Zura tosses the plate.
ZURA
What are you doing anyways?
MAKAMI
I need to commune with the Avatars, and that's a little dangerous to do on a plane. Oh, and Al?
ALRUND
Yeah, I'll make sure they do it right.
BAKI
(to Alrund)
Who's doing what?
ALRUND
You and Zura are going to have an adventure. Isn't that great?
ZURA
(to Baki, teasing)
Still paying for asking for more adventure, aren't you Mom?
BAKI
Oh, my naïve daughter, I've flown plenty of times. This is the type of adventure I'm ready for.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
Mkay, well, you all have fun.
Makami pulls a sleeping mask over her eyes, but pops up suddenly, her finger pointing to no one. Stitched into the black mask is white thread reading "Out Of Office."
MAKAMI
(sternly)
And be careful with the cargo!
She settles back and white light seeps from around the edges of the mask.
Zura and Baki look at Alrund expectantly, and she doesn't disappoint, holding up a parachute with an awkward smile. Baki looks over her shoulder to Toyo, who is swinging a second parachute and an odd harness.
ZURA
What's the harness for?
SMASH CUT TO:
INT PRIVATE PLANE
Zura and Baki now sport goggles and their parachutes in front of the open cargo door. Baki also has Makami strapped to her back, her mouth hanging open and drooling upon the parachute strap. Neither of them look happy with this situation as the wind swirls around the cabin.
Alrund comes close to them both.
ALRUND
(shouting)
Toyo and I are heading up to Forneus, but we don't have time to land and drop you two off. So, Makami found some parachutes.
ZURA
(shouting)
Where, exactly, are we landing?
ALRUND
(shouting)
As close to the Republic City portal as possible, then get in to Spirit Haven City!
ZURA
(shouting)
And why are we bringing her?
Toyo comes in with a smile he's failing to hide.
TOYO
(shouting)
She's going to peer into the hole in the sky, remember?
ZURA
(shouting)
Yeah, but she can flippin' teleport!
ALRUND
(shouting)
Here comes your drop!
BAKI
C'mon, Zura!
Baki takes her hand and brings them over to the door. Peering out, they're only a few hundred feet above the buildings, bringing Zura to snatch tighter against her mother's arm.
BAKI
(shouting)
Once you're free, count to five and pull the cord down, alright?
Zura slowly nods.
BAKI
(shouting)
Repeat it to me!
ZURA
(nervously)
Count to five, yank cord down.
She kisses Zura's cheek with a smile and dives out, giving a flip and a 'WA-HOO!' on her way out. Makami's arms flail from her tied position on Baki's back.
Zura scoots closer and closer to the edge until Alrund gives her a gentle push. Toyo gives Al a look as they close the door.
TOYO
Still pushing people to be their best, eh?
She narrows her eyes at him but can't hide a small smile.
ALRUND
She had to leave soon or miss the landing. Besides, she'll be fine.
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT SKY ABOVE REPUBLIC CITY PORTAL - MIDDAY
Zura's face is warped and wrinkled from the immense wind. She plummets with her arms and legs tight to her body, pushing her past Baki, who is much calmer with Makami on her back.
After a moment, she yanks down her cord, but nothing happens. She pulls it out over and over again to no effect, panicking in the sky. Finally, she pulls it at the right angle and the chute deploys.
Above her, Baki careens left to avoid her daughter, moving into an uncontrolled spin. She pushes back against her own momentum over and over until she is slowed enough to pop her chute.
By now, she floats amongst the tallest buildings, running on the windows of higher floors to keep herself from crashing. Finally, she and Zura are aimed at the line of people still trying to enter the portal.
BAKI
(shouting)
Zura, follow me!
ZURA
(shouting)
What!?
From above, Zura veers closer to her, but her sandal becomes caught in the chute and tears it. Baki struggles to maintain control, yanking hard on her cord.
From above, Zura sees the problem and loses her sandals to the wind. She reaches down with her toes and grips the chute tightly, holding both her mom and Makami up as they skirt overtop the line of people.
The three of them stay airborne long enough to enter the portal.
EXT SKIES ABOVE SPIRIT HAVEN CITY - CONTINUOUS
Crowds of people duck as Baki tries to pull herself and Makami above their heads.
BAKI
(loudly)
Duck - sorry! Thank you! Sorry again!
Zura's toes are tight on the fabric, but gravity is bringing them straight into the back of one of the bandaged large men Toyo fought. Baki and Makami slam into him, splashing his face into piping hot soup. Zura uses a very long, very crowded cafeteria table to stop herself, dancing as best as she can to avoid people's hot lunches.
Baki carefully moves off of the large man.
BAKI
(concerned)
I am so sorry, are you okay?
He lifts his head out, getting splashed in the face with water immediately by Zura. As it runs off, his skin is bright red and puffy, but he is nodding.
GANG MEMBER
I've never been hurt by anything so delicious! My compliments to the chef.
GUARD (O.S.)
(loudly)
Hey, you two!
Baki turns to face the unconscious Makami at the guard.
BAKI
Stuff it, junior, this is Avatar business.
ZURA
Yeah, we're the official...punchers of faces...at the Avatar's insistence!
Baki turns back around with a finger in the off-guard man's chest. Makami is up and stood like a sleeping marionette with her arm flopped around Baki's shoulder.
BAKI
That's right - OPOFTAI!
GUARD
(slowly)
Well, how...can I avoid that?
BAKI
Where do you keep your holes in the sky?
He points up to the ridge where Inca and others are keeping watch amongst a small show of force.
GUARD
Our acting president has a guard post up there. You should check in with them.
BAKI
That we will. OPOFTAI, move out.
Baki takes a step forward before her back audibly cracks from carrying Makami.
BAKI
(in pain)
Okay, maybe grab a sled or something for her?
CUT TO:
EXT THE APOTH
Makami moves her way through the crowd, still receiving nervous looks from the Avatars that move aside swiftly from her path. Roku walks alongside her.
She suddenly grabs her growling stomach.
MAKAMI
Oh man, I just got a hankering for sunburst soup.
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT EDGE OF THE APOTH
Aang looks up with his pupils constricting. Korra and Yangchen are in the background looking at him oddly.
YANGCHEN
What is it, Aang?
AANG
Somewhere, a stomach is crying out for help...
Korra makes the motion to signal that he's crazy to Yangchen, who giggles.
CUT TO:
EXT THE APOTH
Makami comes to the center of the Apoth, smiling to Roku, but then confused at the sight of Voso tied against Kuruk's statue.
MAKAMI
Voso?
Makami carefully slices the ribbon from Voso's mouth with Roku watching studiously in the background.
ROKU
This spirit was sent back here intentionally, we presumed?
MAKAMI
I wouldn't say that. We meant to combine spirits to battle Ananta Shesha.
VOSO
Forgot you were a really cool portal.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
Yeah, at the worst times.
ROKU
And this seedling?
Roku nods to the growing addition to Voso's back, which he still can't quite turn to see.
MAKAMI
That's the last of the Great Tree. I didn't know where it went, but apparently you two combined forces at some point.
VOSO
(quietly)
Me and my absorbing energy, right?
She turns to Roku and the rest.
MAKAMI
What's happening here? The air feels thicker.
ROKU
We are battling some of the dark spirits you've fought at our borders. They seem to be probing our defenses. We are defending in shifts to remain diligent.
MAKAMI
And everyone's okay?
ROKU
(smiling)
We are quite experienced at defending ourselves.
Voso pulls himself off the toe the rest of the way.
VOSO
Like I was asking earlier, why not use that experience to help out Makami and, you know, the rest of the human population?
YANGCHEN (O.S.)
(loudly)
Where is she!?
Aang and other Avatars land with Yangchen, cleaving a path towards Makami with a furrowed brow. As she comes close to Makami, she brings a finger up.
YANGCHEN
(angrily)
You bring him here, he nearly gives away our position, and all you bring is fauna!? I've got half a mind to-
Makami snatches her finger and twists it harshly. The other Avatars chuckle as Yangchen stares intensely at the finger.
YANGCHEN
(quickly)
My fingers feel no pain - no pain can touch them. My fingers feel no ouchies - no ouchie, ouchie, OUCHIE!
MAKAMI
Oh, would you all stop it!?
She pushes her away.
MAKAMI
(impassioned)
I am not here to absorb any of you, and Voso isn't here to endanger you! He's harmless!
VOSO
(quietly)
But helpful...what do we know at this point?
MAKAMI
(loudly)
He raises a fair question. Raava?
Raava seeps out of her body above them all.
RAAVA
(echoing)
I know what you are asking of me, but I must disappoint you with ignorance.
MAKAMI
What do you mean? How could you not know what's happened in prior cycles?
RAAVA
(echoing)
Nandaka revealed to me the truth - my existence may be ever-lasting, but my memories are wiped clean at the beginning of every new cycle. This is the first time I have chosen to bind to humans. The first time the timeline has been moved so drastically. I'm sorry, my friends, but I simply cannot offer you information I do not have.
MAKAMI
Fine, Raava.
Makami holds up the hand opposite of Raava.
MAKAMI
And Vaatu?
On command, the dark spirit flows out of her hand, bringing the other Avatars to a shocked state.
MAKAMI
Do you know anything?
KORRA
(growling)
What have you become!? Bringing it here!
AANG
Yeah, I don't like the whole...age of darkness concept being a few feet away from me.
RAAVA
(echoing loudly)
Enough!
Now, even Makami is shocked. Raava turns to Vaatu, the two now the same size.
RAAVA
(echoing)
Answer her, Vaatu.
VAATU
(echoing)
There is nothing more I've gleaned from the darkness of my prison than you and your...minions have from the light.
VOSO
Okay, but couldn't the other, uh, the others of those present help somehow? Roku and some of the others have already been in the world safely. Why wouldn't they be able to again?
RAAVA
(echoing)
The world has changed since then. If any of you were to leave this safe area, you would require an anchor. Otherwise, your energy would be pulled into Ananta Shesha's insatiable appetite.
VOSO
(grumbling)
Yeah, right, anchors...
VAATU
(echoing)
Ahh, I see now, Raava. Here we have the source of your weakness.
MAKAMI
What do you mean?
VAATU
(echoing)
Raava's power has been paltry since we agreed to fight together. That is because your attention is in both worlds - protecting all of these hapless spirits while trying to fight Ananta Shesha. How very foolish.
RAAVA
(echoing)
I will not leave them unprotected.
ROKU
Raava, is there hope for Makami to battle against Ananta Shesha and prevail?
RAAVA
(echoing)
I...I...
The air is quiet as the Avatars look glumly around to one another. Voso's eyes dance swiftly along the ground while Makami looks speared through the heart. Vaatu's hum comes like a growl.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
There's no hope? Nothing we can do?
VAATU
(echoing)
Whatever source of strength you pull from, you should prepare it to be mined dry in the battle ahead.
VOSO
What about that other god?
MAKAMI
Hamsa?
AANG
Who's that?
RAAVA
(echoing)
Hamsa is the Great Creator - the push to grow to Ananta Shesha's pull to destroy.
MAKAMI
Could we find a way to reach Hamsa? If the cycle is so out of balance that it's endangering the entire system, they have to step in to do something.
VAATU
(echoing)
If this Fuu-Ki was able to commune with Ananta Shesha, there may be a way to do so with Hamsa.
VOSO
(excitedly)
Okay, how?
AANG
If they are opposites like Tui and La, there has to be some reflected connection, right? Like, if you find one in the ocean, you'd find the other in the desert.
ROKU
Where did Fuu-Ki first find Ananta Shesha?
MAKAMI
Through a portal in the Great Spirit Forest when he was a young man. So, maybe the way to find Hamsa is in the Human World?
VOSO
Where was the portal?
MAKAMI
Uh, in the ground.
VAATU
(echoing)
Ananta Shesha used the strong energies of elder spirits to draw others towards him. A place in the human world where there is no life would seem most likely.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
He was in the ground, so maybe in the sky...?
Her eyes grow wide as she looks straight up.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
I know where to try.
Voso, then the other Avatars look up as well as the peach clouds part and darken, allowing them all to see into the deepest confines of outer space.
CUT TO:
EXT ABOVE THE CLOUDS - DAY
Toyo and Alrund loosely form stone couplings around the wings of the landed plane before they turn into the wind and make for the underground entrance on Forneus' back. They reach the tunnel entrance and descend.
INT CRESCENT MOON CAVERNS - CONTINUOUS
Toyo and Alrund look out amongst the huge gathering of Air and Earth citizens, co-mingling in good spirits. The elevator car comes to a stop and they exit, taking their time to absorb the clear hardships.
ALRUND
Need more tents.
TOYO
Or bed rolls at least.
ALRUND
Way too many people in here.
TOYO
Yep. So, what are we doing here, exactly?
ALRUND
Keeping watch. Communicating troubles. Beating up bad things.
TOYO
(through his teeth)
Great, yeah, sounds like a hoot.
ALRUND
Don't sound too excited about it...
TOYO
(in pain)
No, it's something else. I'm happy to help.
Alrund walks away, handing him the very large radio.
ALRUND
Then, go help.
She weaves her way through the camp, listening to the joyous songs and frowning at those too scared to get out of bed. She comes to a lazy guard in a hammock, lightly kicking him.
ALRUND
Who's in charge here?
GUARD 2
(sleepily)
No one. The old lady, I guess. I don't know.
ALRUND
(mumbling)
Old lady...oh, her?
He grunts and rolls away.
Across the crowd, Toyo slips through as well, watching some make bread using old fashioned mills. A small group of air bending masters, still clad in their torn, dirtied business suits watch with furrowed brows as he passes.
AIR MASTER 1
(whispering)
That's one of them. The Avatar's people.
ALRUND
(loudly)
Yo-Yo!
Toyo moves away from them, but their eyes stay locked.
Alrund speaks to Helga as she very slowly hangs-up the phone. Toyo arrives before her hand even lets go of the receiver.
ALRUND
Miss Helga, my name is Alrund and this is Toyo. Avatar Makami sent us here to help in any way we can.
HELGA
(slowly)
Makami? I just got off the phone from a very important meeting with her. Imagine that - me in a world leader meeting.
TOYO
(mumbling)
My goodness, she's somehow slowing down...
ALRUND
It looks like some people here don't have beds. How are your supplies holding out?
HELGA
(slowly)
I put air bender children in charge of our supplies.
She points over her shoulder to show lemurs dancing amongst open packages and the children all tied up. One of the lemurs appears to be setting a fire beneath the children, but stops and hides the flint when he notices them looking.
HELGA
(slowly)
I was going to review the situation.
ALRUND
(mumbling)
Right...
Al comes over and swats away the lemurs, freeing the children. She creates an earthen dome around the supplies and shoves it into the abutting wall until it's a rectangular hut of rock.
She spins back to the crowd, bringing up a small pillar from the ground beneath her feet.
ALRUND
(echoing)
Excuse me - hey, everyone?
Toyo eyes one of the metal pistons used in training and pulls it from the ceiling to strike it like a tuning fork. That silences everyone.
ALRUND
(loudly)
The time to work together is now. Anyone and everyone that is sleeping without a bedroll, please come up to me so I can get a proper count. Any guards, please approach him for assignment!
Toyo holds up a large stone fist with a jutting finger to make sure he's seen.
TOYO
(loudly)
Get ready to draw straws for bathroom attendant!
CUT TO:
EXT THE APOTH
Makami walks with Voso behind her. The Avatars rotate out in the background, leaving them amongst the sparse platform. He has some of the leaves of the seedling in his arms with an infatuated look. The bud has begun to bloom into further branches that glow the same emerald of Sidr-Lote along the seams.
MAKAMI
Because this is a safe haven.
VOSO
Not for much longer. You heard them - the borders are already being nibbled at by Shesha's pets.
MAKAMI
And the best benders to ever live are all guarding it. You'll be safe here while I try to find a way to communicate with Hamsa. So will the seed until we're ready to use it.
VOSO
Use it? How?
MAKAMI
It's your anchor now. I can't be anymore. A little crowded in my spirit right now.
VOSO
(quietly)
Ami, wait.
He steps ahead of her, turning to see his mistake across her crossed arms and stone face.
VOSO
(remorseful)
Sorry, Makami.
MAKAMI
(sternly)
Keep it professional.
VOSO
Of course.
(quietly)
There is another way for them to help. Maybe.
MAKAMI
(whispering)
Yeah, I know what you really wanted to ask Raava, but it's insane.
VOSO
It's drastic, I grant you, but it also fits the situation pretty spot on. Wouldn't you say that renting out your spirit to that Vaatu spirit was pretty drastic too?
MAKAMI
(whispering)
I would, but it had to be done. Your idea doesn't.
VOSO
(bitterly)
Because you can do it yourself, right?
MAKAMI
Because I don't have another choice.
VOSO
(emptily)
So this is my final stop? Waiting to be reborn as a bundle of vines? You never really wanted my help, did you?
MAKAMI
You have helped me, and now I'm trying to save you from non-existence. Don't try too hard to be the hero, Voso.
VOSO
I don't need to be the hero.
MAKAMI
(chortling)
Right, you've never jumped into a fight to save little ol' me.
VOSO
(sharply)
I was terrified of fighting before Adachi forced...
They both lean back, taking a breath.
VOSO
(calmly)
I have the tools that I have, and am the person I am. I can still be useful.
MAKAMI
And you will be after all of this is over.
Nodding ruefully, he moves out of the way and she walks by.
VOSO
You're excited about this a little bit, aren't you? Going to space, I mean?
Makami spins on her tiptoes, bouncing up and smiling widely for a moment before disappearing from the Apoth. Voso smirks and shakes his head. Aang, arms-crossed, stands in the background for a moment before coming forward and slapping Voso's back.
AANG
I know that look anywhere. How many pieces did she break your heart into?
VOSO
Other way 'round actually.
AANG
Ah, so you broke the unbreakable rule and ticked off a saber shark, huh? Well, lemme tell you a story about a man that sang about a secret tunnel...
CUT TO:
INT EMERGENCY BUNKER WAR ROOM
Abe sits lazily behind at a desk, flipping through one of the older books on the table. In the background, Kin welds something together on a table. In the far background, Rogi stands with sunglasses on, frozen, with finger guns out towards the room.
Kin stops welding and pulls up her goggles.
KIN
This one's done.
ABE
Why are you doing his work again?
KIN
Because he needs to charge.
ABE
I saw him eating puffs. Get'em a sandwich.
KIN
Those were to maintain the illusion of humanity. They're nothing but asbestos balls painted orange.
Abe gulps hard and drops the book.
ABE
(nervously)
And if a regular human were to have eaten one?
Pages fly out from the book while Kin puts down the torch.
KIN
If you haven't had any side effects yet, you'll be fine. Unless insensitivity is amplified by poison.
ABE
(sighing)
Look, I'm sorry that I said a dumb thing. An honest thing, but very dumb the way it came out of my mouth.
KIN
That's a sufficient apology.
ABE
Cool. So, tell me what these things are packin'.
KIN
You won't fall asleep?
ABE
I'm all napped up.
KIN
Very well. There are limited options for long-range weapons, but all of them were best suited for capture. I replaced the net with a substance called "Nulf".
ABE
And that does...?
KIN
Stops all force. Hence the name.
ABE
I don't get it.
KIN
And moving on, I've kept the extendable claws to pull people out of danger. Other than that, they are very skilled hand-to-hand combatants.
ABE
I'll say.
Abe turns as the radio bursts to life on the table.
KOTA (O.S.)
(through radio)
Shelter crew, come in.
ABE
Yep, whole happy crew here. What's up, girl?
KOTA (O.S.)
(through radio)
Just testing. We were getting some interference with the Spirit World team, but that might just be the distance. How's production?
ABE
Looks good to me. Charging up the building machine for one last push...
Abe looks down, their eye caught by a page on the floor.
KOTA (O.S.)
(through radio)
Let me know if you need anything alright?
Abe leans down and grabs the paper, their eyes widening as they look.
ABE
(quietly)
Shut. Your. Face.
KOTA (O.S.)
(angrily)
What did you just say, Nabendu!?
ABE
Uh, not you, Kota, The Cuddler of Worlds. I'll talk to you soon, and let you know, and...whoops a tunnel!
Abe flicks off the radio, leaving it on the ground as they stand, pointing the paper to Kin.
ABE
Please tell me we can build this?
Kin takes the page, adjusting her glasses several times as though she can't believe what she's seeing.
KIN
(slowly)
I...don't know if I could.
ABE
We - as in us three! You, me, and the hat rack.
KIN
You would help?
ABE
(excitedly)
Sure, how else would I pilot it?
KIN
This will be an extensive undertaking just to get the horns right. We might not have time to-
ABE
We're gonna need metal beef to slow down everything, right? This is the beefiest slab that we could send into any battle.
(sympathetically)
This is how I can help everyone like you and Rogi already have. Please, gimme this chance.
Kin looks between the page and Abe a few more times before sighing and removing the small pin from her pocket. She taps in a series of ten on a table and Rogi springs to life in the background.
ROGI
(yawning)
Was my pose super cool? Wait...
He pulls off the sunglasses.
ROGI
Why was I wearing these?
ABE
You sleep with your eyes open, man, it's creepy.
KIN
We've got a huge project, Rogi. Are you ready?
Kin holds up the paper and Rogi's eyes light up like stars.