INT CRESCENT MOON CAVERNS - NIGHT
Many people sleep around dying fires while a few guards stay watch, bringing blankets over bare shoulders.
Inside one of the side caverns, Toyo sweats profusely, gripping his shoulder above his missing arm. He rolls out of his cot with Alrund stirring nearby as he seethes through his teeth.
ALRUND
(quietly)
What're you doing?
TOYO
(in pain)
Nothing, I'm fine. Just...going to go patrol up top.
ALRUND
(quietly)
For what? Birds?
Toyo steps up and throws a thick jacket over his torso. He doesn't look at her as he moves out of the alcove. She watches after him, rolling out of bed as well.
He stumbles around the edge of the crowd with his face turning pale and his vision blurring. Eventually, he slams his shoulder into the gate to enter the elevator. He reaches out unsteadily, but a sudden jolt of pain brings his finger to claws, destroying the lift mechanism with his bending.
He groans and slides to the ground as Alrund comes over.
ALRUND
(concerned)
What in the world is happening to you? Is it your stomach?
TOYO
(seething)
It's my arm.
She reaches for it.
TOYO
(quickly)
No, my other arm.
She sits down beside him, staring at the space as he massages the shoulder muscles.
TOYO
(shakily)
It feels like it's still there, gripping something for hours at a time. It hurts.
ALRUND
(quietly)
When Fuu-Ki had control of your body, he was bending when you...made the cut. Your brain must not know it's gone.
TOYO
(seething)
A shiny gold piece to the first person that convinces it otherwise.
ALRUND
Let me.
Al's hands gently knead the muscle, hoping it will release. He grits his teeth and slams his head back.
TOYO
(seething)
This sucks a lot, Al.
ALRUND
(quietly)
I know, I'm doing what I can.
TOYO
Not the arm.
She glances up to him but refocuses on the shoulder.
TOYO
(quietly)
I miss you, Al. I miss talking to you - really talking.
ALRUND
We never really talked, Toyo.
TOYO
That's not true.
ALRUND
It is because I didn't let us really talk. You just kept poking your stupid nose into my business, and...you saw some of me through the cracks. I liked that you saw me. I still do.
TOYO
(sadly)
But it's not going to work, is it?
She slides closer to him, still massaging.
ALRUND
Not if-
A strong gust of wind sends them back into the metal grate and holds them there. Three air benders from earlier keep the stream of air constant.
AIR BENDER 1
(loudly)
Hold them still!
One of the benders dump out shards of metal and sharpened wood into the air cannon, all of them flying towards Toyo and Alrund.
Her hand slides to his wrist as he closes his eyes. She sinks them into the earth as the projectiles bounces off, clattering to the ground.
GUARD 1
(shouting)
You are all under-!
A fourth air bender sweeps the guards back off their feet.
AIR BENDER 1
(shouting)
Everyone stay back! This is for our leaders!
A few in the crowd cheer but most stare on as the wall roils into formed hammers that swing at the graceful air benders, missing them.
AIR BENDER 1
Stay back. They have to come out for air eventually.
Several earthen scythes emerge to send the benders scattering. Back in the elevator car, Toyo explodes out of the wall and drags his shoulder along the metal grate. As he does, he pulls up the metal, conforming it into a lengthy, uneven whip. By time he emerges from the shaft, he has a lash where his arm used to be, and he uses it to catch one of the air benders by the ankle.
He whips them into the rock where Al emerges just long enough to capture them before going back into the wall.
The remaining three benders split their attention between the wall and Toyo. One slices through the air for Toyo to block, his metal weapon flattening into a shield.
The metal spikes out into several lashes that snatch their four limbs and yank them down into the stone floor.
The leader of the group rips layers of shale from the wall using precise air blasts. As he moves forward, Alrund snatches his hands and ankles to sink him into the wall.
AIR BENDER 1
(struggling)
No, no, no!
Toyo slides backwards from an air blast from the last air bender in the fight. The bender leaps high with a wooden stake aimed at Toyo. Just before he is impaled, Alrund emerges and slams closed a cage of rock around the attacker.
Toyo pushes himself up from the ground with his new metal appendage while Al grabs one of the prisoners by the back of their head.
ALRUND
And your problem with the people trying to save you is...?
AIR BENDER 1
(angrily)
You two work for Makami the Reviled! She stole from us our two great leaders.
ALRUND
Oh, you mean the guy responsible for this whole mess and the largest wind bag of them all? Yeah, great duo they were.
AIR BENDER 1
(angrily)
You know nothing of Meelo-
TOYO
(sternly)
Fuu-Ki was his real name, and he manipulated Paya. That's just the start of the list too.
AIR BENDER 1
(weakly)
You lie!
TOYO
I wish.
PAYA (O.S.)
Enough.
Toyo, Al, and the benders turn as Master Paya pushes himself through the crowd. He looks malnourished, wrapped tightly in several robes beneath his wide, tired eyes. The bender rips away, dropping to their knees in front of Paya.
PAYA
(softly)
Trust me when I say, you wouldn't be able to sleep if you knew what you were defending in his name. Survive for your friends and family, or you'll regret every sleepless night you ever have.
The man lays his head upon Paya's shoulder and begins to sob quietly.
AIR BENDER 1
(sadly)
He would've led us through this.
Al and Toyo take a half-step towards Paya, but a glare moves them away instead.
TOYO
I'll fix the elevator shaft.
ALRUND
Might be better to just make the staircase wider.
TOYO
Yeah, fair enough.
ALRUND
Want to help me?
She waits for his response. All he does is shrug and smile awkwardly, walking with her to the stairwell.
CUT TO:
INT BA-SING-SE UNDERGROUND MISSILE SILOS - NIGHT
Pi-Ran and the other scientists are gathered around one of the refashioned missiles. Payloads have been replaced with cockpits and safety features while the chibi-art faces of several scientists are painted along the metal exterior. There is steam running from a few of the edges while various scientists and workers rush to their assignments.
A door opens inwards with Chui-Phun, the leader of the Earth Kingdom, stepping through followed closely by a wide-eyed Makami.
CHUI-PHUN
I'm a little surprised that you know so much about our supposedly secret thruster rockets.
MAKAMI
Well, in a weird little coincidence, the engines I used to study in my free time in college were the same ones the Fire Nation sold Inca.
CHUI-PHUN
Ah, a hobbyist then?
MAKAMI
Well, I did make a working replica on holiday break once. It nearly burned down my house. So, hardcore hobbyist?
PI-RAN
Avatar Makami?
Pi-Ran comes up with a wide smile, bowing deeply to her.
CHUI-PHUN
I believe you've met our lead scientist, Pi-Ran.
MAKAMI
By name only.
He rises and her eyes lock to his.
MAKAMI
And tell-all reputation.
PI-RAN
(nervously)
Yes, hah, an embarrassing time to have my name on such a widely-known book. I hope you don't think less of me for having to put that information out into the world?
MAKAMI
Not as a scientist, no.
She turns to the rocket.
MAKAMI
This is flyable?
PI-RAN
We are close. We've been working diligently since you called, but there are many, many more tests that need to be run.
MAKAMI
Nope.
She turns and walks into the control room. Pi-Ran and the leader look at one another before walking after Makami.
She is pushing her shoe into a larger boot. Behind her on a rack is a silver suit and a small, clear helmet.
PI-RAN
What do you mean by 'nope'?
MAKAMI
As in, nope, that isn't going to work. We're already on borrowed time, so you have about five minutes until I'm ready to fly. Then, I'll be in that cockpit and hitting the atmosphere a few minutes after that.
CHUI-PHUN
(chuckling)
With all due respect, Avatar, our scientists are quite thorough for a reason. You can't speed up safety.
PI-RAN
(quickly)
The main thrusters are in pieces, and that means we can't achieve escape velocity. I hope you understand what that means.
MAKAMI
I understand, yes.
PI-RAN
(exacerbated)
Then why are you continuing to dress in our only space suit?
She looks up while unbuttoning her blouse to reveal a tank top beneath.
MAKAMI
Madame President, would you agree that the Earth Kingdom has suffered several political setbacks of late?
CHUI-PHUN
(slowly)
Yes, I'd agree.
MAKAMI
And wouldn't you also agree that your space program would get an exciting boost by having an Avatar smiling like an idiot as she slips the bonds of gravity to the extreme?
CHUI-PHUN
I do, but that would require an intense amount of effort to corral press, move the eyes away from the looming disaster. Get the thing working at all.
PI-RAN
(aggravated)
The soonest we could possibly take off is three weeks from now.
MAKAMI
What if I could get you a crowd, and ensure the lack of thrust won't be a problem?
PI-RAN
(growing angry)
Avatar, you cannot change the laws of physics! The rocket will need-
MAKAMI
(quickly)
Force capable of propelling its weight over the threshold of the planet's gravity-
PI-RAN
(quickly)
In relation to the weight of the rocket, rider, and fuel, which-
MAKAMI
(quickly)
Will be decreased significantly if we start the launch from a much higher launch point.
She yanks the silver gloves around her fingers. Chui-Phun recognizes the look of opportunity in Pi-Ran's eyes.
PI-RAN
(calming)
How much higher?
MAKAMI
The lower edge of the stratosphere.
CHUI-PHUN
You can ensure that will happen?
MAKAMI
The only things I need are this suit, a sealed cockpit, and a half-valid guarantee that I can land the thing afterwards.
Pi-Ran is deep in thought for a moment before nodding slowly and moonwalking out of the room.
PI-RAN
(excitedly)
This might work.
CHUI-PHUN
(to Makami)
What's your plan for getting you that last bit into space?
MAKAMI
I'm hoping we have a decent amount of metal benders on Forneus, er, Crescent Moon Island.
CHUI-PHUN
Ah, the deadly omen that blots out the sun and terrifies my people is named Forneus, huh?
MAKAMI
(sheepishly)
He's my cuddly spirit friend.
CHUI-PHUN
(laughing)
Right, well, I must say, I'm surprised.
Makami has the helmet in her hands, both of their reflections smiling in the colored visor attached to the top.
CHUI-PHUN
All I'd heard from my constituents about you was about how slow and diplomatic you were, but you've turned out to be an Avatar of decisive action.
MAKAMI
Someone grossly misrepresented my ties to diplomacy, but I appreciate a situation where action is needed twenty minutes ago.
CHUI-PHUN
As do I. It gives me hope that you and I can work together after this darkness has passed.
MAKAMI
Well, this rocket is the start. To all of it.
CUT TO:
INT ADACHI'S OFFICE - DAY
Kota and Adachi's secretary have setup shop inside of Adachi's office as he rubs at his injuries behind his desk.
Kota hangs up the phone and turns to her grandfather.
KOTA
Abe's got something working up. I'll try to get ahold of Mako again.
ADACHI
Don't bother. Have Abe send the resources as soon as they're ready.
KOTA
You sure? We'd be letting our guard down on the homestead.
ADACHI
(chuckling)
Just like the Great Hamper War, hm?
Kota just stares at him with an eyebrow cocked.
ADACHI
You don't remember...never mind.
The secretary holds her hand over the receiver.
SECRETARY
Sir, the Avatar is asking how quickly we can send the reporter Uma and her team to the roof of Oorochi Tower?
ADACHI
For what?
SECRETARY
Her, uh, gentle sky beast will be swinging by to grab them.
KOTA
Tell her we'll have them there in a few minutes.
The secretary goes back to the phone for a moment while Adachi looks disappointed. Kota looks up another entry from a book as the secretary quickly presses more numbers on the phone pad.
SECRETARY
(excitedly)
I'll call them - I can't believe I'll have the chance to talk to the Uma again. Luckily, I have a good relationship with one of her camera guys. What do you think it's about?
KOTA
I don't know, but Makami gets what she wants until the world's nice and safe.
The secretary smiles as someone picks up on the other end of her line.
SECRETARY
(loudly)
Well, if it isn't the check-skipper himself, hm? Do you remember how much you left for me to pay that night!? No, no, don't worry, now you can sleep well again if you do one little thing for me...
Kota smiles and stands from the desk, looking over to Adachi, who is now at the open balcony door. Kota comes over to join him, both staring out with a dignified, familial look.
KOTA
I remember the stupid hamper fort, Oji. What I think you forget is why I made it in the first place.
ADACHI
It was...to...
KOTA
I made it the day after Mom and Dad died.
Adachi's face sinks into guilt.
ADACHI
(carefully)
I didn't see it until I was home from service.
KOTA
Two weeks later, yeah. I slept surrounded by the hammocks, pretending to fight a war against all my stuffed animals. Voso would slip in at night to give me food. I wouldn't let him near me when I was awake. By time you came by to see a little girl just having fun with her toys, I'd just buried it all behind smiles and laughter.
ADACHI
(quietly)
I never...took the time to notice.
KOTA
Well, that's good of you to say.
ADACHI
(quietly)
We haven't spoken about Voso.
KOTA
No, we haven't.
The two take deep sighs in and shuddering breaths out in unison.
ADACHI
I know those days of you and I being close enough to fight wars together are over. I'd hoped the resort would do the heavy lifting for me, but I was foolish. There's nothing wrong with us as we are. As long as you can tell me when you're happy and when you're unhappy, that is all I'll ever need.
Kota bites her lower lip, nodding gently.
KOTA
(quietly)
I'm unhappy.
ADACHI
Me too.
The two awkwardly try to hug for a moment before Kota just pats Adachi's shoulder a few times.
CUT TO:
EXT ROOF OF OOROCHI TOWER
Uma picks at her very casual outfit as though it's too tight despite the obvious bagginess. She has a cameraman, nervously glancing at his phone, and a producer around her. Both of them are bundled up tightly. Amongst them are glowing television antennas that whine with the breeze.
UMA
(groaning)
I'm not seeing a single news story up here. Not even a funny-looking cloud! Where'd you get this tip again?
Forneus' shadow and calming moo fills the air as the three of them stare wide-eyed. A ladder drops down in front of Uma's face.
TOYO (O.S.)
All aboard!
CUT TO:
EXT CRESCENT MOON ISLAND
Uma and her crew are hoisted up to the top of the island by Al and Toyo. Uma waves them off with wide eyes, walking slowly by into the shadow of the rocket.
UMA
(quietly)
Did someone steal from me?
TOYO
Huh?
ALRUND
No, we haven't-
Uma spins, bringing up dual peace signs on either side of her wide grin.
UMA
(loudly)
Because I'm about to report the roof off of this!
Toyo and Al smile warily while the rocket looms behind Uma. The producer comes over, powdering her star's face and tearing down her outfit. Once the camera is setup, several lights sprout up to reveal Uma's new outfit - now tight, business-casual, and with an abstract tie.
TOYO
(whispering)
You'd think this is a big moment or something.
ALRUND
(whispering)
It certainly feels like it.
PRODUCER
(to Uma, quietly)
We're live in three...two...
CUT TO:
INT ADACHI'S OFFICE
The secretary comes by with a remote in her hands, pointing it to the television in the opposite corner. Adachi and Kota rouse from their near slumber.
SECRETARY
I'm sorry, but you have to see this.
All three of them turn towards the television, showing a slightly-shaky shot of the rocket near the crown of the entire world. A single Uma stands before it, awe-struck while several dozen people stand around the base of the rocket in the background.
Next to the rocket is a long ladder made out of plane parts.
UMA
(through television)
Since first recorded history, humankind has had to play second-fiddle to a whole bunch of lights in the night sky. Now, today, moments from now, the very first of us will travel into space to show them who's boss!
KOTA
(quietly)
Makami?
CUT TO:
EXT SPIRIT HAVEN CITY OUTSKIRTS
Baki and Zura are holding hands while Mads stares into the television with wonderment. They are seated in front with several more people behind them. The crowd keeps shrinking together as it grows, the tiny monitor suddenly the most interesting thing in the world. Inca walks by in the background, not looking up.
UMA (O.S.)
(through television)
We are soaring on the back of Avatar Makami's spirit friend, uh, whom I've been told is, quote, "Most definitely not a sky monster".
ZURA
(excitedly)
Aw, Forneus' name is cleared at last.
INCA
(into walkie-talkie)
You're saying what, exactly?
SOLDIER 1 (O.S.)
(from walkie-talkie)
That the trees are gone, ma'am. We're out of cover.
INCA
Okay, fall back to the lines. No more scouting missions until Avatar Makami gets back.
SOLDIER 1 (O.S.)
(from walkie-talkie)
Where is she?
INCA
(chuckling)
Just listen to this.
She holds the receiver up, capturing the cacophony of synchronic echoes in the reporter's voice. Where she is now overlooks nearly all of Spirit Haven City in the square, listening and watching wherever they can this wonderous moment.
UMA (O.S.)
(echoing)
Avatar Makami has just closed the hatch to the cockpit. From what I'm hearing, the launch is set to take place in the next few minutes - yes, the countdown has just begun.
SOLDIER 1 (O.S.)
(loudly)
RUN!
Inca brings the walkie-talkie back down.
INCA
(loudly)
Say again?
SOLDIER 1 (O.S.)
(loudly)
Spirits - they're everywhere!
She spins back to the outskirts, watching with instant, icy terror as the hole in the sky spews forth waves and waves of malicious spirits.
Inca runs forward.
INCA
(loudly)
Get back here now!
She takes the receiver away, shouting to the guardsmen on the tower.
INCA
(shouting)
Do you have eyes on our team?
The soldiers slump as they shake their head sadly. Inca drops the walkie-talkie and runs to an air raid siren.
As she begins to turn it swiftly, the sound fades out. She spins and spins, bringing chaos out from every crevice.
CONTROL (V.O.)
Alright, Avatar, T-minus fifteen seconds.
The massive metal guard for one side of the city is brought up by police. Spirit Haven City's main hub is in chaos with people running for shelter. Swinging above them are more police, using their metallic lines to pull themselves towards the frontlines.
CONTROL (V.O.)
Ten...nine...eight...
Mako is coming over, using his electricity to ignite a generator that pops spotlights onto the battlefield ahead for miles.
CONTROL (V.O.)
Seven...six...
Mads and Inca stand side-by-side, ready for what's coming over the hills.
CONTROL (V.O.)
Five.
CUT TO:
INT ROCKET COCKPIT - DAY
Makami, in her full suit, stares ahead with determination from the inside of the rocket. Her hands are tight on the steering wheel, and her suit is signed in several places by well-wishers. Around her are an immense amount of instruments and panels, most taped over with warnings of "Do Not Touch!'.
CONTROL (V.O.)
Four.
CUT TO:
EXT CRESCENT MOON ISLAND - DAY
Toyo runs up to help many other metal benders send the ship into space. He passes Al, who nods and smiles at him as he slides into place.
CONTROL (V.O.)
Three.
She encapsulates his ankles in rock to steady him.
CONTROL (V.O.)
Two.
The metal benders all lean down in unison.
CUT TO:
INT ROCKET COCKPIT
Makami's eyes close.
CONTROL (V.O.)
One.
Her breath is the only sound for a brief moment. Then, all at once, she is yanked back into her chair and anything loose shakes with the force of the bending power at her back.
Her eyes snap open, looking out into the red-hot aura around the window as she very quickly pushes through the last layers of the planet.
MAKAMI
(electronic)
Losing momentum - engaging first thruster.
She leans forward to flick a single switch, and is thrown backwards again.
CUT TO:
EXT CRESCENT MOON ISLAND
Shading their eyes, everyone peers up in awe. Uma has dropped their microphone while keeping the camera angled exactly at the rocket at all times.
Toyo and Al smile at one another, the spark of discovery in their eyes.
CUT TO:
EXT CAPITAL CITY OFFICIALS BUILDING ROOF
Adachi has one arm over Kota's shoulder as they both gaze at the television. The secretary is a mess, blowing her nose.
SECRETARY
(sobbing)
This is just the best thing we've ever done, and WE DID IT AT THE END!
CUT TO:
EXT SPIRIT HAVEN CITY OUTSKIRTS
Zura and Baki approach Inca with medical satchels over their shoulders, giving her a shaky thumbs up. She nods them to a portable television with fuzzy reception at their feet. All of them watch Makami break into space with the last bits of hopeful wonder in their eyes.
SOLDIER 2 (O.S.)
(shouting)
HERE THEY COME!
Inca focuses up, patting Zura and Mads on the shoulder as she moves down the tiers with Mako.
CUT TO:
INT ROCKET COCKPIT
Makami holds tight as the heat at the edge of the windshield breaks away. She reaches forward to flick another switch, sending a loud reverberation through the cockpit. Around her, the pieces of the ship break away as the blue sky fade to black.
CONTROL (O.S.)
(electronic)
Detachment complete. Controls shifting to you in three, two, one.
The ship lurches as she takes hold.
MAKAMI
(shuddering)
Oh, okay, okay, got it. Left one's accelerator, right?
CONTROL (O.S.)
(electronic)
There are no pedals.
MAKAMI
(shuddering)
Just a joke - hey...
She leans forward.
MAKAMI
Are you seeing this?
CONTROL (O.S.)
(electronic)
You'll have to turn on the video feed.
MAKAMI
Right, sorry.
Another switch flicks up under her control, bringing on a small red light on her helmet.
Turned around, we see what she does - black emptiness. There are no more stars, nor planets. Just the sun and her planet remain in the entire visible universe.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Where are the stars?
CONTROL (O.S.)
(electronic)
Stand by.
MAKAMI
I can't, we're out of time. What I need is out there.
CONTROL (O.S.)
(electronic)
The capsule separation has malfunctioned, so you have no forward thrust. I repeat, you have no forward thrust.
MAKAMI
(softly)
I need to get out there and try to make contact.
CONTROL (O.S.)
(electronic)
Be advised, the hatch was not intended to be opened in space.
MAKAMI
This is important, Control. I have to do it.
CONTROL (O.S.)
(harshly)
Be advised, if you open that door, the craft will become unusable.
She's unbuckled, floating her way towards the back hatch that looks like a vault door.
MAKAMI
I'm aware of that. Is predicted re-entry over water?
PI-RAN (O.S.)
(electronic)
Avatar, this is Pi-Ran - if you do this, you condemn yourself, do you copy? There is no way you can-!
Makami switches off the audio feed, leaving her nervous breath to fill her ears.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
No other choice.
Her hands struggle with the door's wheel for only a moment before it releases. The release pops like a silent explosion that gives her access to the darkness of space.
All that can be heard now is her breathing as she flies forward in weightlessness.
MAKAMI
(electronic)
Hamsa? Can you hear me? My name is Makami. I'm...I'm with Raava and Vaatu - we're connected through a multi-generational spirit-human partnership that protects the world. We are called the Avatar. I know that you and Ananta Shesha are forces greater than just our planet, but ours is the only one we can protect. It is home to many mysteries and, yes, percolating energies.
She turns to gaze back down at the planet, focusing upon the whole picture as though for the very first time.
MAKAMI
(electronic)
It is a miniature universe, filled with collisions, births, rebirths, and energy flowing from one source to another.
She turns back to the void.
MAKAMI
(electronic)
If you can hear me, I implore you to stop Ananta Shesha from destroying this cycle early. One human's mistake cannot be enough to condemn us all.
Space is silent against her.
MAKAMI
(electronic)
Can it?
From the blackness of space, there is a shimmer. Then, planets and stars appear as though they're unfolding bit by bit.
She smiles and laughs in disbelief at first, briefly hoping that Hamsa had heard her plea. Then, as the black shimmer grows around her, her smile fades.
MAKAMI
(electronic)
It's you, isn't it? You've...you weren't...
From high above her, eighteen serpentine eyes snap open with constellations of black stars set against white irises.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
You weren't biding your time, were you? You were consuming the other parts of existence first.
She closes her eyes and tightens her fists.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
You were saving our planet for last, weren't you, Ananta Shesha?