AVATAR: EMPIRE OF ICE
BOOK 1: FAMILY
CHAPTER 12: A GIRL FROM TAIPAN
We fade in on the harsh desert sun. A gecko-bird flies by, screeching.
We pan down to Kato and Yamani at an oasis of water, beneath a palm tree. They both dip their glasses into the water and drink from it. Then they look disgusted, struggling to swallow it. But they shrug and take another sip.
Kato
Blech… Ok, so. Judging by the last full moon, we have about five days to get back to the capital before the Dance of the Flying Peacock. You think that's possible?
Yamani
Hmmm… Do we have a giant slingshot by any chance?
Kato
No.
Yamani
Then almost certainly not.
Kato
(Nods) Hmmm… (Looks to the side) Oh, I think that one is finally boarding.
They both take a final drink and put their cups down. Kato spits out a fish and the two run off.
We cut to a camelephant, sidled to its station. A group of people are walking up the stairs into the 3 carriages. Kato and Yamani run up to the man in front.
Kato
You're heading north, right?
Man
That's correct! And as it just so happens, there are exactly two seats still available. Looks like it's your lucky day!
Kato and Yamani smile.
Man
That'll be two silver pieces.
Kato goes through his empty pockets.
Kato
Uh…
As he looks toward Yamani, the camera pans over to her going through her empty pockets as well. The man frowns.
We cut to the last cabin door closing.
The camelephant walks off, leaving Kato and Yamani standing in the desert sand. Kato crosses his arms.
Kato
Shoot… What do we do now?
Yamani
(Scratching her chin) I think I have an idea.
We cut to Kato standing behind Yamani, grabbing onto her glider.
Yamani
Ready?
Kato gives her a thumbs up.
Yamani takes off into the air and then almost immediately tilts sideways and falls, crashing into the sand. The two stand up, covered in it.
Yamani
Well, that didn't work at all. (Looks at Kato) You are heavier than you look.
Yamani looks down at her glider and picks it up. The sail has been completely torn.
Kato
Oh... Sorry about that…
Yamani shrugs and tosses her glider to the side. The two end up walking in the direction of the camelephant.
We cut to the sun starting to set. Kato and Yamani are still walking. The town around them is thinning out.
Yamani
Can I ask you a question?
Kato
Sure.
Yamani
Does Ta know about your plan? Have you contacted her at all?
Kato
Nope.
Yamani
I see… Ok, here's another question. Do you know if Ta is still alive?
Kato
I… Do not.
Yamani looks at Kato with a grin. Kato looks back sheepishly. The two end up laughing.
Kato
Is this a terrible plan?
Yamani
I think the most romantic plans are often the least thought out.
Kato
Yeah! Wait… You didn't answer my question...
Yamani doesn't respond. The two keep walking for a moment before Yamani stops.
Yamani
Kato.
Kato
(Stopping) Yes?
Yamani
This is stupid. We can't walk out of this desert. It goes on for miles.
Kato scratches his head.
Kato
Yeah, I was afraid you'd say that… And, plus, I am already starving.
Yamani
Likewise...
Kato
Hmmm. So, we have no money and no way to travel… What does that leave us with?
Yamani
(Pointing at her head) Our wits.
Kato
(Pointing at Yamani) Ahhhh.
The two look around. There are a few small huts lining the road, then off to the side is a large inn carved into a rock formation. Kato and Yamani walk towards it.
They walk around to the front of the inn and see a caravan with a flame insignia on it parked outside. A dragon is leashed by the neck to one of the carriages.
Kato and Yamani both look at the dragon in awe. The dragon turns its head to look over at them, but gets stopped by its shackles. It looks rather sad.
Yamani notices the collar around its neck has a keyhole. Kato and Yamani look at it once more before looking at the sign.
Kato
'The Last Inn Before The End'.
Kato and Yamani look at each other before walking in. Inside, an old man named Shu is working the bar on the first floor. Kato and Yamani walk up to him.
Shu
I'm sorry, no rooms left.
Kato
That's ok. We were wondering…
Yamani
Could we work for you and possibly get a meal and some clean water?
Shu takes a long sigh.
Shu
Yeah, alright. I'll see what I can rustle up for ya.
We cut to Kato and Yamani in the backroom, washing dishes. Kato is smiling slightly at what he's doing while Yamani is expressionless.
Kato
So... Why didn't you tell Jang that you're his daughter?
Yamani thinks for a moment.
Yamani
We talked about this, right? (Kato shakes his head) Oh. (Shrugs) I don't know… I wanted to meet him, and I met him.
Kato nods. They keep working.
Yamani
(Imitating Jang) Oh, you're my daughter? That's really great, but I've got a mission to do! A very important mission!
Kato chuckles. He puts the clean plate on the rack and grabs another dirty one.
Kato
No kidding. Honestly, between you and me? A giant weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
We cut to a close up of Yamani. She narrows her eyes slightly and grabs another plate.
Kato
Him and his mission...
Yamani
But you must feel bad, right? After everything he's done for you.
Kato
(Pause) Well, yeah, I mean… Of course I feel bad.
Yamani
I remember you said he was practically like family to you. So for you to just ditch him like that. Must have really hurt.
Kato looks at Yamani, confused.
Kato
Why are you saying this?
Yamani
Oh, I'm just thinking out loud. Ignore me.
Kato nods and grabs another dish, cleaning it while deep in thought. Yamani is aggressively rubbing a stain off of a bowl.
We cut to the next morning. Kato and Yamani are sleeping on the floor of the backroom. Shu walks in, banging two pots together.
Shu
Hey, ragamuffins! It's morning!
Kato and Yamani both open their eyes and get up, groggily. Shu puts the pots down and looks at the kitchen.
Shu
Alright, I suppose you two have earned some breakfast. Come on out.
Shu leads the two out of the backroom.
We cut to a low angle shot looking up at a playing card. The playing card gets put down and we see a fancy looking man, Muzo, looking off to the side.
He watches as Kato and Yamani walk out and get handed a roll of bread by Shu, then he looks back down at his hand.
Kato and Yamani dig into their rolls of bread. Kato looks at Yamani.
Kato
So... How are ya?
Yamani shrugs as she devours the bread.
Kato
Any ideas for how we... Proceed?
Yamani is looking at the card game Muzo is playing. Muzo wins and takes the money on the table.
Yamani
Perhaps.
Yamani finishes her roll and stands up, walking over to Muzo and the table.
Yamani
That dragon out there. She yours?
Muzo
(To his flunky) Why do I hear someone talking?
Bao
I don't know, boss. Hey girl, why you talkin' to Muzo? He's a very busy man.
Yamani
It's a simple question. She yours?
Muzo puts down his cards and slowly looks at Yamani.
Muzo
Yes. She's an unruly beast. Much like yourself. But with a little breaking in, I'm sure you'll both fetch a decent price.
Yamani
Hmm. I see you're playing Hanan Dao. Could I join you?
Bao
She keeps talking!
Muzo
Yes, she does. (To Yamani) Perhaps you'd like to join my harem, instead?
Yamani
No, that sounds awful.
Muzo
(Snickers) Then I have no use for you. Walk away, little peasant girl.
Yamani
Sounds like you're scared of losing to a little peasant girl.
Muzo's entourage 'Ooh''s at this.
Muzo
Listen here. I never lose. But you have nothing to bet.
Yamani brazenly shoves the guy across from Muzo off of his chair and sits down. Then she grabs the cards and starts shuffling the deck.
Guy (Who got pushed off)
Um. Ow!
Yamani
I'll tell you what. Put some money on the table. If I win, that money is my next bet. If you win, I'll join your little harem.
Kato
Yamani!
Yamani finishes shuffling the cards and hands them to Muzo.
Yamani
What do you say?
Muzo
(Smiling) I'm gonna enjoy breaking you in.
Kato watches nervously as Muzo deals everyone their cards. Then he sees Yamani's face. She looks utterly confident. Kato shrugs and looks over at a group of earthbenders to his right. They raise their glasses to him. He waves back, and they invite him over.
We cut to Kato shaking hands.
Daiyu
Greetings, friend. The name's Daiyu, these two scallywags are my brother Deng and my sister Jinhai.
Kato
Nice to meet you. I'm Mushi.
Deng
That's an interesting name. You don't meet a lot of Mushi's.
Kato
Heh, well… It wasn't my decision. If you know what I mean.
The three nod.
Jinhai
(Looking at Yamani) You two make a cute couple.
Kato
Oh, Yamani? No, we're just friends. On the road together.
Deng
Yamani. That's an airbending name, right?
Kato narrows his eyes. Daiyu shoves Deng, who looks back at Daiyu.
Deng
What?
Daiyu
(Sighs) To tell you the truth, we're not siblings. We just say that.
Kato
Why?
Jinhai
It makes it easier to travel together. Garners sympathy. Though, by the look of you, I don't think you pose much of a threat to us. No offense.
Kato smiles wryly and looks down at the rags he's wearing, then he looks back up at the group.
Kato
None taken. So, where are you traveling?
Daiyu
Wherever there's work, friend!
Jinhai
We have three rules. Stay on the move, never work for free, and avoid the bluecoats.
Kato
The bluecoats? (Realizes) Oh… Right, of course...
Deng
What about you? Where are you two headed?
Kato
Up north.
The 3 look at each other
Daiyu
Why would you want to go there?
Kato
(Pauses) To save a girl.
Daiyu
Ahhh. A romantic.
Jinhai
Otherwise known as a crazy person.
Kato
(Smiles) You may not be wrong about that.
Daiyu
Come on, let us buy you a drink.
We hear Yamani in the background. She puts down her hand.
Yamani
So, you never lose, huh? I guess there's a first time for everything.
Muzo looks completely stunned by his defeat.
Bao
She must've cheated, boss! There's no way some girl dressed in a burlap sack is gonna beat the great Muzo!
Muzo
Bao? Can you do me a favor?
Bao
Yeah, boss.
Muzo
Can you stand in the corner and keep your little monkey mouth closed?
Bao
(Lowers his head) Yeah, boss...
Muzo looks up at Yamani, tapping his finger on the table, then he slides his bet over to her and starts shuffling the deck.
Muzo
We're playing again.
Yamani raises her eyebrows twice in succession at Muzo. Groovy music starts playing.
We cut to the desert sun, high above the inn. Then we see a montage of Yamani beating Muzo over and over as the sun sets in a time lapse.
Muzo's reactions to losing get more and more cartoonish as the montage goes on, and we see the pile of money in front of Yamani get bigger and bigger.
We also see Kato drinking beer with Daiyu, Deng and Jinhai, watching Yamani do her thang.
We cut to Yamani laying down her final hand. The camera pans up to Muzo, who looks down, infuriated. The music ends.
Yamani
Welp, I guess that settles it, huh?
Muzo slams his fist down on the table multiple times in succession, and then aggressively shoves the pile of coins towards Yamani.
Muzo
Take your money and get out of my face!
Yamani
Don't mind if I do.
Muzo crosses his arms and looks down while Yamani shovels all of the coins into a sack and stands up. The camera stays on Yamani as she walks away, but in the background, we see Muzo's leg bouncing up and down.
Muzo
Wait! (Yamani smiles) One more game.
Bao
Boss, come on. Be reasonable!
Muzo
One. More. Game.
Yamani slowly turns around and looks innocently at Muzo.
Yamani
But, you already gave me all your money. What more is there to bet?
Muzo
(Looking down, shamefully) I'll give you Shira.
Yamani
(Hiding her smile) Deal.
Yamani sits back down as Muzo shuffles the cards like an addict.
We cut to the desert underneath the moonlight. A lizard crawls up a rock, but then the rock turns out to be a gray scorpion, which grabs the lizard.
We cut to Muzo looking down at his cards, sweating.
We cut to Yamani looking down at her cards with no expression at all. Muzo brings his hand to the deck to grab another card, but hesitates, and then looks at Yamani. Yamani gives him nothing. He decides not to go for it and lowers his hand.
We cut to the earthbenders. Kato is finishing another glass of beer.
Kato
Ok, I'm wrong. This stuff is pretty good.
Deng
It's crazy that you've never had beer before. It's beer! And you're an earthbender!
Kato
I haven't had a lot of things...
Daiyu
Where you from, Mushi?
Kato
(Has to think before answering) Kangaroo island.
Jinhai
No way, that's where my family is from!
Kato
No kidding… You know, I don't remember it much. I left when I was pretty young...
Jinhai
It's beautiful there. You should go back sometime. While you still can.
Kato
Yeah, maybe...
Deng slams the table.
Deng
Kangaroo Island! I know why that sounds familiar! They wrote my favorite song over there. Oh, what was it called?
Daiyu
A Girl from Taipan. Why do I know that and you don't?
Deng
Oh, A Girl from Taipan… What a great song...
Daiyu and Jinhai both remember this.
Kato
I haven't heard it.
Deng
Shame… It's part of your history!
Kato
Well… Why don't you sing it for us?
Deng
(Blushing) No…
Kato
Come on, right guys?
Jinhai
Yeah, come on, Deng!
Deng
Ahh… What the heck. Okay.
Deng downs the last of his beer and sets the cup on the table.
Deng
It's about a great, classic romance. I think...
Deng starts singing the song, whatever it is. Soon enough, Daiyu and Jinhai join in. Shu the owner joins in as well.
Kato smiles as he listens to the song. But as the camera slowly zooms in, we see his expression change, becoming troubled. His look becomes distant. The 4 people singing slowly turns into a crowd of people chanting.
Crowd
Prince Kato! Prince Kato!
We cut to a flashback that plays out in slow motion. Kato is 6 years old, standing on the palace bridge. He's waving his hand to the crowd.
Kato is then bumped by a guard. He looks over and that guard and another guard are dragging an elderly earthbender across the bridge out of the palace.
Kato and the earthbender look at each other for a moment. Then the earthbender loses his grip and falls. Kato watches as the guards kick the earthbender in the ribs repeatedly.
Then all the sound goes out, and we see the shot of Batua staring at Kato in disgust.
We cut back to the present. The song comes to an end and we see a close up of Kato, lost in thought. Then we see a hand shake Kato's shoulder and he turns to look at Deng.
Deng
Well? What do you think?
Kato
(Distant) Oh yeah, I agree... That's a really beautiful song...
Kato looks down and the 4 of them shrug at each other.
We cut back to Yamani, who puts down her winning hand. Muzo's entourage is in an outrage. We cut to Muzo, who is looking down, shaking his head.
Yamani
Welp… Guess there's a twenty eighth time for everything. I'll take those keys now.
Bao
No! She's gotta be cheating, boss! I've never seen you lose once! And now you lose twenty eight times in a row? I ain't buyin' it!
Muzo
Bao, settle down. She beat me fair and square. (Muzo digs through his pocket and produces a key, then tosses the key on the table towards Yamani) Congratulations. She's all yours.
Yamani
Thank you very much.
Yamani grabs the keys, grabs her money sack, and then stands up and walks away.
Yamani
(Whistles) Mushi! Let's go!
Kato hops off his chair, and waves to the earthbenders. They give him a hesitant wave back.
Kato and Yamani walk out of the inn.
We see Muzo look at his entourage. Muzo nudges his head toward the door.
We cut to Kato and Yamani outside, walking towards Shira the dragon.
Kato
I'm running out of ways to say it. You're a genius. You're amazing. You're unstoppable!
Yamani
I don't know why you're so surprised. Aren't you used to people bending over backwards for you?
Kato
Whoa, hold on.
As she gets to Shira, Yamani takes out the key and holds it up to its lock.
Yamani
(Shrugs) Don't worry about it. I'm just some airbender. You can toss me aside when you're done with me, too.
Kato
Yamani, wait. You're clearly upset at me about-
The two look over as the door to the inn slams open.
Kato
-Jang...
Muzo and his entourage step out of the inn.
Muzo
You two are in a hurry.
Kato and Yamani glance at each other.
Bao
Hold on, there. Why don't you let us show you how to untie her?
Yamani narrows her eyes.
Muzo and the group start casually strolling towards them, before Muzo throws a fireball. Kato and Yamani duck out of the way before another fireball heads their way.
Kato's shirt catches on fire. He screams and then drops and rolls around in the sand. Yamani turns to Muzo.
Yamani
You're a sore loser!
Bao
No! The boss never loses!
We hear a folksy, twangy, earthbendery fight score.
We cut to Yamani bending wind in a clockwise motion. Bao flips around, his head landing in the sand.
Yamani then ducks, avoiding several fireballs coming from behind as 4 more guys run at her. She knocks two of their heads together, then dissipates an oncoming fireball with airbending.
We cut to a moving shot. The camera circles around Yamani as she battles all 4 of them at once, giving 'em the ol' wind treatment like a pro. She uses a breezy (Pun intended) style of fighting that infuriates the firebenders.
We cut to Kato, who is watching Yamani with awe. A fireball just misses his head and he turns to see another guy approaching him.
Kato looks around, not knowing what to do. Then he looks with anxiety at all the things around him that he can bend.
After dodging another fireball, Kato throws a punch, but the guy takes Kato's arm and twists it behind his back, then he heats up his finger and jams it into Kato's forearm, burning him.
Kato growls in pain, then he elbows the guy in the gut to get out of his grip, but the guy throws another fireball at him, and then another. Kato goes and hides behind a rock.
The guy walks over to Kato, who throws a handful of sand at him.
Guy
(Chucking) Pathetic.
Kato
I know, okay!?
The guy then picks Kato up by his hair and starts dragging him through the sand.
Kato wriggles around a bit. Then he gets a deadly serious look on his face. The camera zooms in as the anger builds, and then suddenly, Kato lets out a warcry!
Kato
AAAAAHAHGHGHGHGHGAHAHAHGH!
Kato grabs the guy's arm, then hoists himself up and takes a big bite.
Guy
Ah! What the?
Kato tears a chunk out of the guy's arm and spits it out, his mouth dripping with blood.
The guy is about to bend more fire when a stream of sand pummels him in the face. He screams and grabs his eyes.
We cut to Kato, looking freshly feral, as he peers down at his hands, and then down at the sand below them.
Kato
Yes.
The guy angrily looks at Kato, gathering more fire.
Guy
You little savage!
Kato smiles with adrenaline and wallops him again with sand. Another guy is coming at him, and Kato raises an 8 foot tall wave and brings it down on the guy, then sandwhips another guy.
Yamani looks over and sees Kato.
Yamani
Yes! Kato! I mean Mushi! Sandbending slice!
Kato looks over at Yamani and grins. Then he gets punched in the face. Yamani gasps, before Muzo grabs her in a bear hug. She tries to airbend but she can't land a shot on him. Another guy grabs Kato.
Muzo gets all up in Yamani's face.
Muzo
Looks like you're joining my harem after all, little peasant girl. As for him? (Looks at Kato) I'll sell him to the bluecoats for cheap.
Kato struggles to get free. Yamani thrashes around, growling, as Muzo carries her over to his wagon. Then she and Kato share eye contact.
Yamani winks at him, then she bends a huge amount of air towards herself and compresses it into a little ball. She squeezes the airball as tightly as possible, then she claps her hands.
The airball pops, causing a pressure change that pops everyone's ears, violently. All of them, including Kato and Yamani, fall to the ground in pain.
We hear a loud ringing noise.
As the sand settles and the ringing noise fades down, We see Shu and the earthbenders running out and trapping Muzo and his gang in stone.
Shu
(To Muzo) The lady won. You need to accept your loss and move along, got it?
Muzo looks at Yamani with Anger. Yamani smiles and does a double eyebrow raise at him, before turning to Kato. They both have blood trickling from their ears.
Yamani
(Sticking her hand up) Hey, up top!
Kato high fives her, then rubs his ear in pain, before Yamani shoves him.
Yamani
That was amazing!
Kato
I know! I was earthbending! I was moving the earth with my hands!
Yamani
Took you long enough!
Kato nods, before looking weird for a second.
Yamani
What?
Kato projectile vomits all over the sand and then passes out, collapsing. Cut to black.
We see from Kato's POV. He opens his eyes and sees the starry night sky, the moon off to the left. Then he looks up and sees Yamani petting Shira, upside down.
Yamani
(To Shira) Listen. I don't own you like that jerk, Muzo. You're free to do whatever you want. So, the choice is yours. You wanna fly me and my friend to the capital?
Shira looks at Yamani, and wavers before making a grunt that sounds like 'Yeah, sure, why not?' Yamani smiles and looks at Kato, raising her thumbs.
Kato stands up. He stumbles dizzily and looks around.
Kato
Where is everyone?
Yamani
The innkeeper and the 'siblings' are asleep. Muzo rode off. Him and his gang of sore losers. They're lucky I let 'em leave in one piece. (Punches her palm)
Kato nods and walks over to her.
Yamani
And yes, I am angry at you…
Kato
Yeah, it was pretty obvious. (Yamani smirks, Kato sits next to her) But why? Because I ditched Jang?
Yamani
Maybe? (Sighs) I don't know. (Pause) I never knew my dad. But I heard about him. The great, mysterious Jang. I wanted to meet him my whole life. Then I met you, and it turns out that not only did you have two dads, but one of those dads was supposed to be my dad! (Chuckles) And then there's mom… Now that is a whole different story. (Pause) You know, when she left, my mom, I followed her over to the cliff that she flew off from. Then I couldn't find my way back home. I was stranded in the forest for two months before they found me. Eating nothing but woodmice and crickets.
Beat.
Kato
I'm so sorry, Yamani.
Yamani
Ah, who cares. The point is, I'm not gonna accomplish anything by redirecting my mommy issues at you.
Kato nods and the two stand there for a moment.
Kato
In the spirit of honesty. Can I share something kind of strange with you?
Yamani
Duh. Always.
Kato
You know how I play this Mushi character? Well, sometimes It's not just playing... Sometimes I feel like I am him. Like... I have two people living inside my head.
Yamani looks at Kato awkwardly.
Yamani
Yeah… I kind of figured that out…
Kato
(Raises his eyebrow) How?
Yamani
Do you remember that day? When Jang and I found you in the forest?
Kato looks down, furrowing his brow.
Kato
Some of it… Kind of...
Yamani
Well… You were definitely someone else that day. You didn't even realize we had met before.
Kato looks up at Yamani, suddenly concerned.
Kato
Seriously?
Yamani nods. Kato sighs, then he looks up at the stars.
Kato
I don't remember that at all...
Beat.
Yamani
So... Who is Mushi?
Kato thinks for a moment.
Kato
He's... The earthbender.
Yamani
Okay. And who's the other guy?
Kato
...He's the prince. (Rolls his eyes) Well, he was...
Yamani nods and thinks for a moment, then looks back.
Yamani
My friend, you are one crazy koi. And I like it.
Kato blinks.
Yamani
We should get going, huh? If we wanna make that dance of the seagull festival.
Kato
The Dance of the Flying Peacock.
Yamani
Yeah, whatever dumb name the bluecoats gave it.
Kato smiles. Yamani hops on Shira. Kato is about to follow when he remembers something. He opens his bag and bends a bunch of desert sand into it. Then he joins Yamani on top of Shira.
We cut to a wide shot. Shira flies off into the sky, becoming a silhouette over the moon.
We hear Kato and Yamani humming 'A Girl From Taipan'.
TO BE CONTINUED...