AVATAR: EMPIRE OF ICE
BOOK 2: TRADE
CHAPTER 8: KANGAROO ISLAND
We fade in on a pair of hands crocheting something out of yarn. As the camera zooms out, we see that the hands belong to a flamboyantly regal man. On his chest, there is an emblem featuring the symbol for earth surrounded by a circle.
This man is sitting on a very familiar throne in a very familiar throne room, but it's unfinished, under construction.
He continues focusing on his process, before a familiar face walks through the door. Ziri, the firebender teenager we saw 2 episodes ago.
Ziri
Tang?
Tang
(Eyes remain down) Mhm?
Ziri
Your friend is here.
Tang looks up, then narrows his eyes in thought before nodding.
Tang
Send him in.
Ziri nods, then she leaves for a moment, before returning with another familiar face, King Yao, accompanied by two guards. We get a close up of one of the guards and see that he has blue eyes.
King Yao bows towards Tang, and Tang bows back.
Guard
Should we stay?
Yao
(Nervously) No, you can go.
The two guards look at each other, then casually walk away while keeping their eyes on Yao. Then Tang stands up.
Tang
King Yao, what a surprising and unexpected visit.
Yao
Tang. It's um… Nice to see you again.
Tang
It's Emperor Tang.
Yao
(Wide eyed) Oh… Okay. (Scratches his head) When did that happen?
Tang
(He gesticulates with his hands) When did the sun first rise? When did the grass become green? Hmm? It didn't happen, it always was.
Yao looks down, hiding his expression, then back up again.
Yao
Of course.
Tang then sits back down on his throne.
Tang
So, my friend, why are you in my court?
Yao
(Clears throat) Tang… Emperor Tang… As I'm sure you know, my… Kingdom has been on the rise, economically speaking, and like a new wife, my people want nice things. Oh, how their tastes grow! (Mechanically smiles) One particular attraction, as of late, is jewelry made from a peculiar species of colorful coral. And once the noblewomen were caught wearing it, well, the craze spread like an… Invading force. (Swallows) And um… (Pause) I understand that this species of coral is found only in one place. Your voluminous Lake Laogai. (Bows)
We cut back to Tang, who has an inscrutable, intense expression.
Tang
...Tell me what you want.
Yao
I simply wish to set up a small, very small, um… Mining operation in your lake, my good friend. Get all of that valuable coral while the trend is hot! And don't worry. I promise to send an envoy every month with a cut of the profits. Say, forty percent? You don't even have to do anything! Just sit back while the money rolls in! How great is that? So what do you say, Tang, old buddy? Will you… Let me do that?
Tang takes this all in, then he turns to the side. For a moment, he looks at the empty chair besides Ziri, then at Ziri. She looks back at him and nods her head. Then Tang turns back to Yao.
Tang
Can you do me a favor, Yao?
Yao
(Shrugging) I suppose. What is it?
Tang
(Motions with his finger) Can you turn around for me?
King Yao blinks, caught off guard.
Yao
I beg your pardon?
Tang
Turn around. Let me see your hind quarters.
Yao looks utterly perplexed. Then he hesitantly begins to turn around.
Yao
If you insist…
Yao faces the door, catching sight of his two guards. Tang perks up, scratching his beard.
Tang
My friend! I never knew you had such a gifted tailor!
Yao
A gifted… Tailor?
Tang
Yes, incredibly so. Why, he managed to almost completely conceal the puppet string coming right out of your ass!
Yao turns around, looking embarrassed.
Yao
What? Puppet string? What are you-
Tang
You know damn well what I'm talking about, you fiend!
Tang stands up and starts walking imperiously towards Yao.
Tang
How dare you come into my palace reeking of koi fish? Who turned you? Was it the Thirteenth Legion? Was it Tarakano's battalion? Who?
Yao shakes his head, his eyes wide, his mouth unable to form words.
Tang
You're too afraid to talk. (Narrows his eyes) You know what this means, right Yao? Don't you?! They're coming for me next.
Yao stares at Tang and slowly nods his head.
Yao
They… They took everything… My kingdom is gone…
Yao falls to his knees, weeping. This angers Tang.
Tang
Oh, get up you miserable wretch! (Yao looks surprised and stands up) Get out of my court! And tell your new masters that you couldn't seal the deal!
Yao
Please, no.
Yao's two guards walk in.
Guard 1
(Brooklyn accent) You heard him, Yao. He doesn't want to do it.
Then the guards grab him, dragging him out of Tang's court.
Yao
Please!
Yao gets dragged out and the doors close behind him dramatically. Beat.
Tang starts pacing in thought. Ziri walks up beside him, waiting with wide eyes.
Ziri
Well?
Tang stops pacing and stares at Ziri.
Ziri
Is it happening?
Tang nods solemnly. Ziri narrows her eyes and inhales. Then she puts her hand on Tang's shoulder.
Ziri
(Passionately, yet calmly) We've prepared for this. We can take them.
Tang stares at Ziri for a moment in thought, before he nods.
Tang
I have no doubt, Ziri. Still, I find myself overcome with various emotions…
Ziri
Which?
Tang
Primarily, anger. (To some military men) Somebody told the fish-heads about my lake! I want you to find that traitor and bring him to me!
Man 1
Sir?
Tang
He's a fisherman on Lake Laogai. Find him.
The men nod and exit the room. Tang angrily sighs and turns back to Ziri.
Tang
It sits upon a useless patch of grass. That was the lie which founded peace in my empire. Now that they know of our treasures, I suspect the fish-heads won't stop until it truly is that useless patch. (Ziri nods) Tell me something. Where is your beloved?
Ziri
(Gloating) I received a communication just the other night.
Tang
Really?!
Ziri
Yes. And I believe her return is imminent.
Tang
I'm shocked. Shocked! (Ziri looks at him with her eyebrow raised) I thought I would be the first one she called…
We cut to Yamani, who is submerged in a large pond. She's blowing bubbles on the surface of the water.
We hear a splash and see Kato in the background in his underwear. He fishes his clothes out of the water and hangs them on a tree branch nearby, along with Yamani and Baka's clothes.
In the background, Baka is holding a stick and doing forms, something between training and goofing off.
Kato goes back in the water and lies down on the surface, spreading out. We see him from above, as he drifts aimlessly.
Suddenly, Yamani creates a whirl of water suspended in air and sends it towards Kato. It acts like a sprinkler, splashing him repeatedly.
Kato
Hey! Cut it out!
He spits some water out and swims over to Yamani, who looks at him with glee.
Kato
You know who you are? Sa-Zhong.
Yamani laughs, and starts playing with a ball of water suspended in air.
Yamani
How am I like Sa-Zhong?
Kato
You always need attention. You're good at bending. You anger the spirits with your constant hubris.
Yamani
Psh…
Kato
You're Sa-Zhong.
Yamani
If I'm Sa-Zhong, you're Yin Wei.
Kato
Ha! No… Yin Wei?!
Yamani
Actually, it's perfect. (Starts counting on her fingers) Disgraced prince. Had a secret nobody knew about, although his was sexual. Betrayed by his brother. Identity issues! You're Yin Wei!
Kato rolls his eyes.
Kato
That does fit pretty well…
Yamani lies on her back and drifts on the water in thought. Beat.
Yamani
Speaking of which… We haven't seen your little friend in a while.
Kato scratches his neck and nods.
Kato
Oh yeah… Him.
Yamani
Where'd he go?
Kato
I don't know… I haven't seen him since…-
We flash back to Kato sleuthing through the Capital late at night on his mission to rescue Ta. Then we cut to Kato in the underground jail cell, talking to Batua. Then we cut to Kato and Batua sitting across from each other in the ice cave, all of these in a quick succession.
Back to Kato in the present.
Kato
Since I saw Batua.
Yamani continues to drift along.
Yamani
Probably a good thing. Not seeing him anymore.
Kato
Yeah… Probably…
Baka runs and kicks a tree, falling over in the process. Yamani looks at Baka as he stands up.
Yamani
He's Babu.
Kato's eyes widen and he covers his mouth, trying not to laugh.
We cut to later that night. An old man is asleep on the back porch of his home. He snores. Suddenly, we see the silhouettes of Yamani, Kato and Baka tiptoeing behind him. The camera follows them.
They tiptoe out to the shore, where there are several canoes tied to the dock.
We cut to a close up of Yamani, as she begins untying one of the knots. Kato and Baka wait for her to finish before they start pushing the canoes into the water.
Then they jump aboard and sail out into the sea.
We cut back to the old man. He opens his eyes and grunts.
Old man
Hey! Where's my… Hickory sticks?
He promptly falls back asleep.
We cut to Yamani, Kato and Baka, paddling the canoe under the moonlight. Then we see Baka narrow his eyes in thought.
Baka
How am I Babu?
Yamani and Kato look at each other and grin, then they look back at him.
Baka
…Is it because I'm a stiff?
Kato
What? No! What?
Yamani
Yes… And because you and the forest are at each other's throats.
Baka sighs. Then we cut to a montage of Baka in the forest, set to a jaunty tune.
Baka has a very Wan experience. Everything in the forest is trying to kill him or disgust him in some way.
Back to Baka in the present.
Baka
I grew up in a palace!
Yamani
Kato grew up in a palace. And look at him now.
We cut to a close up of Kato, who is absolutely filthy.
Baka shoots Yamani a look. Kato then puts his hand on Baka's shoulder.
Kato
Hey. When I first left the Capital, I was just like you. I didn't know what I was doing. In fact… I… Kinda went a little crazy.
Baka
What? But you were always so… (He looks down, beat) You were refreshingly sane, for a prince.
Kato
Well, I was no Atakami the Blessed. But, yeah, I lost my mind in that forest.
The camera pans over to Yamani, who nods.
Yamani
Ask Jang.
Baka turns to Yamani.
Baka
You know Jang?
Yamani
(Chuckles) Yeah. I know Jang.
Kato chuckles. Baka raises his eyebrows.
Baka
What's so funny?
Yamani
I'll tell you when you're older.
Baka narrows his eyes, frowning.
Baka
The mystery continues.
Yamani and Kato look away from each other, nodding. Suddenly the scene becomes very awkward.
Baka
Oof. Did I hit a nerve? (Beat) Where are we, anyway?
Kato
I believe this is the Serpent's Pass. Right?
Yamani
Mhm.
We suddenly cut to a wide shot of their small canoe in the vast expanse of water.
Baka
Why do they call it that?
Then an uprising, splashing sound is heard.
Kato
(Whispering) Come on!
We cut to a shot from behind the trio, watching as a large reptilian head rises from the deep.
Baka jolts back, terrified, but Kato grabs his arm. Kato then turns to him and puts his finger up to his mouth.
Kato
Shh.
Then a close up of Baka, lit by the moonlight. He gazes up, terrified of the sea serpent, and he takes a loud gulp.
A long moment passes and we hear the serpent grunt, but we only see Baka's terrified expression.
Then we cut to the majestic beast, narrowing its eyes on the trio.
Like statues, they pass silently by. No music, just the occasional grunt and the ripple of water.
Then we cut to a flashback. Baka in his studio. He's meticulously carving something out of ice. He puts the finishing touches on the tail of a large sea serpent statue.
We cut back to the scene, to Baka, who looks more calm now.
As the trio get further away from the serpent, it lowers its mighty head back into the water.
Baka
(Quietly) I carved a sea serpent once…
On cue, the serpent's tail rises out of the water and smacks their canoe like a tennis ball. Into the air they go.
The trio is flying through the air, screaming. Then we cut to a close up of Yamani. She rolls her eyes and bends a giant wind-ball to protect them from the impending crash.
Then the oar slides out and hits Yamani's head, knocking her out. The wind-ball disappears and they end up crashing.
We hear the creepy, off-tune twang of a zither and slowly fade in on Kato, face down in the tall grass. There are flowers and insects buzzing left and right and other animal shrieks in the background. The ambience is almost prehistoric.
Kato eventually lifts his head and wipes his face off. We follow him as he stands up and looks around at his surroundings.
Kato is in a thick forest.
He blinks, and then looks around in sharp fear.
Kato
Yamani?! Baka?!
Nothing. Kato lurches over in fear, grabbing his chest.
Kato
No. Not again.
Kato starts running through the forest, screaming out and nearly tripping on several roots.
Kato
Yamani! Baka!
Then he comes face to face with a strange bird-insect-dinosaur hybrid. We see it straight on as it stares in curiosity, and Kato starts to back away.
It goes for him, beak-first, and Kato nearly gets pecked. He starts screaming again and runs away from the bird-thing. Then he trips and falls to the ground.
The bird-thing looms over Kato. It looks ready to strike, when suddenly, a gust of air hits it from the side, knocking it away.
Kato gasps and turns around, before he hears a voice.
Jang
Kato!
Kato is shocked. He looks over to the side and sees Jang's face through a thicket of branches. We never quite see Jang's face clearly.
Kato
Jang?!
Jang motions for Kato to follow, then he walks out of view.
Kato
Where are you going?
Kato starts following him through the dense foliage. He can see Jang through the leaves. Jang is walking briskly through the forest with panache.
Kato
Wait!
Jang
There's no time, Kato. Camp's this way.
Kato continues to push his way through the forest, finding himself surrounded by it.
The crunching of dry leaves fades into the crackling of a fire. It's dark now.
Kato can see Jang across from him, but the heat from the fire warps Jang's face.
The two just look at each other for a while, until Jang finally speaks.
Jang
You should've come with me.
Kato looks down, feeling guilty. But Jang shrugs it off.
Jang
I thought for sure you were dead.
Kato
Yeah, yeah. Everyone did… (Narrows his eyes) What are you doing here? Where did you even come from?
Beat.
Jang
You know.
Kato
Right… (Scratches his head) Did you find her? Avatar Miyuki?
Jang nods.
Kato
…And did you assemble your army? Are you marching on our homeland? My homeland?
Another beat, as the fire crackles.
Jang
We will.
Kato raises his eyebrow.
Kato
Even when you're this angry at me, you still help me. Tell me how that works.
Jang takes a bite of fruit and chews on it.
Jang
…It works like anything else…
Kato
(Confused) Okay…?
Jang
I'm not angry at you, Kato. (Takes another bite of fruit) I'm ashamed of you. (Chews)
Kato's eyes widen.
Kato
…Wh-… Why?
Jang finishes eating the fruit and throws the core off to the side.
Jang
(Shrugs) Eh… Have you seen Kyana?
Kato blinks in surprise.
Kato
Mom? Is here? How did she… (Kato narrows his eyes and looks at Jang) Where are we?
Jang
(Chuckles) You don't know? We're on Kangaroo Island.
Beat. Then Kato starts laughing.
Kato
Wait till Yamani hears about this. (Looks back at Jang) Hey.
Beat. We cut to Jang, who raises his eyebrow. Kato leans in, curiously.
Kato
Why do they call it Kangaroo Island?
Jang points off to the right. The camera pans in that direction and reveals a kangaroo just standing there. Then Kyana walks in from behind it. She's carrying a basket with a quilt covering its contents.
Kato
(Starry eyed) Mom?
Kyana
Kato! (She drops the basket) What happened to your hair?
Kato stands up, tearfully. Kyana grabs Kato and brings him in for a hug.
Kato and Kyana break away from their hug and look at each other. Kato has tears in his eyes.
Kato
I don't even know what to say…
Kyana
(Giggles) Me neither.
The two giggle for a moment and then come to a rest.
Kato
How's the Capital?
All the sound stops.
We cut to a straight on shot of Kyana, who stares directly at Kato (And us). She also looks like somebody else now. Her smile transforms very slowly into a terrified frown. She grabs Kato by the shoulder.
Kyana
You left them all to die. You left them all to die faceless deaths. You left them all to die faceless deaths!
We cut back to a normal shot as Kato steps away from Kyana.
Kato
No…
Kyana
(Nods) In the silver mines. Your brother, too. He wasn't on the boat that morning.
Kato keeps retreating until he hits a wall of foliage.
Kato
No.
Kyana
And what do you think happened to Yamani and Baka?
Kato doesn't know. He shakes his head.
Kyana
(Imitates stretching a rope) Like the gardener.
We hear the chipper sounds of morning, and cut to Kato's eyes opening. He blinks and rubs them for a moment.
Then he looks to the side and sees a tall tree. Yamani is halfway up, collecting fruit in her bag.
Kato then turns to the other side. He sees Baka, meditating in the grassy plain. Baka opens his eyes and smiles.
Baka
Kato! You're awake.
Kato furrows his brow and sighs.
We cut to Kato walking alongside Yamani and Baka. Yamani is showing him a map of the area.
We cut to the map, Yamani is pointing to the middle of the sea, near the serpent's pass.
Yamani
We started here.
Yamani then moves her finger to the right, into the earth continent.
Yamani
But we ended up here. So, the serpent actually knocked us closer to our destination. How crazy is that?
Kato nods and looks down at the ground, sadly. Yamani shrugs and rolls up her map.
The trio continues to walk across the grassy plain. Beat.
Baka
You know what? I thought about it, and I decided I'm okay with being Babu.
Yamani looks over incredulously at Baka
Yamani
Is that so?
Baka
Yeah, in fact. I love it. He has the happiest ending. So go on, keep calling me Babu. I'll live on an island, thinking about how I saved all those air bison.
Yamani
He opened the cage by accident.
Baka shrugs.
Baka
Still...
Beat. Then Yamani nudges Baka and directs his attention towards Kato, who is clearly glum.
Baka
Hey buddy, how ya doing?
For a moment, Kato doesn't respond.
Kato
I'm sick of walking.
We cut to a bag of rice, landing on a scale, making it wobble. The old woman who we've seen before, looks at the scale, which is just a notch past 4.
Woman
That'll be eleven kue.
Batam, the guard, slams his hand on the table. Then he leans in, looming over her.
Batam
Are you insane? It says four right there.
Woman
Prices have gone up. There's a blockade at the ports, not sure why. I got this rice smuggled in by an insane pirate.
Batam frowns.
Batam
I did hear there was some commotion at the palace. (Shrugs)
We cut to Jin, who opens her coin purse. She sticks her hand in, poring through them. Then she looks at the old woman.
Jin
I don't have eleven Kue.
Woman
(Taking the sack) Well, then I don't have your rice.
We cut to Jin and Batam walking out of the marketplace. Jin ponders something for a moment, and then turns to Batam.
Jin
So… What happened in the palace? Do you know?
Batam blinks in surprise, then looks at Jin with his eyebrow raised.
Batam
No, I don't… You're talking to me.
Jin nods her head.
Jin
…Perhaps I'm trying to distract myself from the fact that I'm going home empty-handed.
Batam
Ah… Yes… Master Sarik.
Jin
He will not be pleased.
Beat. The two continue to walk down the street, passing by a large monument. Suddenly, Batam stops, and Jin stops along with him.
Batam
I can save you, Jin.
Jin looks back in horror, stepping away slowly.
Jin
…What?
Batam
We can run away together. Just you and me. I can save you from Sarik!
We cut to a close up of Jin, and a scary bit of spidery music creeps in. She looks to the left and sees several noblemen and servants staring at her and Batam. Then she looks to the right and sees the same thing.
Batam
Well?
The noblemen whisper to each other. Jin starts breathing heavily, hyperventilating.
Jin
I have consumption!
Then she runs away from Batam at top speed. She disappears around a large gate.
We cut back to Batam who stands there with a dumbfounded expression. Then he realizes everyone is looking at him.
Batam
…Pfft! It's a joke, dummies.
Batam walks away, looking sad. A group of city guards runs down the street in front of him, heading for the palace. . We hear the sounds of their boots hitting the ground.
The sound of their running fades into the sound of earth shaking.
We cut back to the trio. The quaking sound bursts forth from beneath Kato, and the ground he's walking on lifts into the air. He screams and falls off of it.
Yamani busts out a large stick, readying it. The boulder continues to rise into the air, precariously over their heads.
Then we hear a woman's voice.
Woman
Who goes there?!
The trio stands there for a moment, unsure of what to say, but ready for action. Then Yamani grins.
Yamani
The Kamakoi. (Giggles)
Baka
Yamani! What are you doing?!
Yamani
Oh, come on-
Woman
Are you serious?!
Yamani
No! We come in peace. We're just trying to go home.
Woman
(Shakily) …I don't believe you!
Yamani
Then why did you ask?
Woman
Why did you lie?
Baka
Yeah, good question!
Yamani rolls her eyes and starts walking forward.
Yamani
Look-
Woman
Hey! Don't you move! Don't you dare move or we will destroy you with this boulder!
Yamani
'We will destroy you'…
Woman
Yeah!
Yamani
Let someone else from your group talk.
Beat.
Woman
(Male voice) Hey, back off, chumps! I'm warning ya!
Yamani smirks at Kato and Baka, then she starts marching towards the voice.
Woman
(Male voice turns back to normal voice) Hey! Stop walking over here!
The boulder drops from the sky, almost hitting Kato, and we see the woman run out from behind a hill. Yamani uses air power to quickly catch up and grab her shoulder.
We cut to Yamani looking at the woman with recognition.
Yamani
Do I know you?
We cut back to Kato and Baka, watching from afar. Yamani comes out from behind the hill, dragging the woman behind her.
We flash back in time, to Muzo in profile, sitting in the barroom of the desert tavern. He stares at his cards. A bead of sweat drops down the side of his head.
Yamani
(Offscreen) Well?
Muzo
Don't rush me!
Muzo licks his dry lips. The camera slowly pans across the barroom, past the barkeep and Deng and Daiyu and lands on Kato and Jinhai in the far corner. A subtle bit of music is heard.
Jinhai
I don't know, you seem… Different.
Kato takes a long sip of beer and eyes Jinhai.
Kato
Different how?
Jinhai shrugs.
Jinhai
I don't know, maybe I've been hanging around with these clowns for too long. (Motions to Deng and Daiyu) I forgot what a real man is like.
Kato
(Raising his eyebrow) A real man?
Jinhai smiles and then shoves Kato.
Jinhai
Stop questioning every little thing I say. (Grabs his beer) And give me this. (Drinks)
Kato
Sorry…
Jinhai finishes her sip and sets the cup down on the table. Then she looks at Kato with a flirtatious smile.
Jinhai
Oh yeah? How sorry?
We cut to the present. Jinhai lands on her knees in front of Kato. She has a black eye and tattered clothing.
A wind sweeps across the grassy plain as the trio stares down at her.
Jinhai
…Mushi?
TO BE CONTINUED…