AVATAR: EMPIRE OF ICE
BOOK 2: TRADE
CHAPTER 9: GRADUATION
We hear the familiar but quiet electrical hum, then we cut to a close up of Kamui's shoulder wound. The Chief Medic is carefully closing the hole, and the healing glows blue.
Suddenly, Kamui lurches forward and we cut to a wider shot.
Kamui
What?!
He grabs his shoulder and groans in pain.
Chief Medic
General! Please!
Kamui sits back down as the wound reopens and blood spills out. Then we pan across to the Commander of the Palace Guards, Mukoa.
Kamui
(Offscreen) Are you telling me we lost the whole corridor?!
Mukoa
Um, well…
We cut to the CM, who looks frustrated as she goes back in with her healing power.
CM
You want a permanent scar, just keep it up.
Kamui flashes the CM an apologetic look, before glaring at Mukoa.
Kamui
Well?
Mukoa
The Library was the chokepoint, sir… And you know I was never any good at reading.
Mukoa grins stupidly. We cut back to Kamui, whose eyes narrow in disappointment.
Kamui
Neither books nor the room. Ato! What about you? Where are your men?
The camera cuts back to Mukoa. Behind him is General Ato, wearing ornate regalia on his uniform.
Ato
Sir, if I may-
Kamui
Step out of the man's way, dummy!
Mukoa
Oh! Whoops, sorry! (He awkwardly shifts out of frame)
Ato
(Stepping forward) Sir, I'm working with less than a third of my numbers. All of my men caught the vicious purple plook that's been going around.
The MC looks up, concerned.
MC
Really?
The camera pans down to Kamui.
Kamui
The purple what?
Ato reaches behind the doorframe and grabs his lieutenant, a scrawny guy with purple boils all over his face.
Ato
Boils, sir. All about the face region.
We cut to a closeup of the boils on his face.
Kamui
(Disgusted) You brought this grape faced boy to my office? (He stands up) I- AGH! Fishhook!
CM stands up and shoves Kamui forcefully back in his chair.
CM
Sit down!
Kamui pauses, then he turns and glares at the CM.
Kamui
You don't speak to me like that. (CM stares back, unwavering. Kamui finally rolls his eyes) Fine. I'm sorry!
CM
Apologize to your knife wound.
She begins working on it again, patching it up and covering it with bandages.
Kamui
Kyana…
CM
Lie down. Now.
We cut back back to Kamui, who sighs and then lies down, deep in thought.
Kamui
Hmm… I know who can turn the tide.
We cut to Tahno, in closeup. He's listening to his unit commander speak. Tahno looks surprised and a little scared, but also excited.
Commander (Offscreen)
Cadets, your mission today is to gain back control of the main corridor in the east wing! Batua's forces have squeezed us out, but he doesn't know who he's messing with, does he? Now suit up!
Cadet
(Scared) But, commander, we're still in the academy!
Commander
Then consider this your graduation!
We cut back to Tahno as a couple of airbenders equip him with official guard garb. The commander walks up to him.
Commander
Tahno, seeing as you're top of the class, you will lead this battalion.
Tahno
Right… Of course, Sir. (The commander nods) Um, are we… What is our goal here? Are we trying to kill Batua?
Commander
Kill the Emperor?! That would be treason!
Tahno
Then what are we trying to do?
Commander
(Looks confused) I just told you! Securing the main corridor in the east wing!
Tahno
But-
Commander
Troops, move out!
We cut to a stream of water hitting a block of ice. The city guards are holding up the entrance to the library while the military men, Tarakano's military men and the turncoat city guard are attempting to breach it.
Guard (B)
Hold the line!
A military man's foot slips and he gets knocked back from the recoil. He bumps into a bookcase and a couple of scrolls fall on him. He rubs his head and then opens one of the scrolls up.
MM
'Techniques for maintaining your spice garden'. What a find! (He looks around, then slips the scroll in his pocket)
We cut to another couple of guards, who are stationed at the south doorway.
Guard 3 (B)
What is Kamui thinking? Does he really want to upend three hundred years of tradition?
Guard 4 (B)
Eh, tradition, smagician. This is what happens when a military guy takes over a domestic role. They end up treating the palace like a damn earth colony!
Guard 3 (B)
That's why I'm loyal to the emperor.
Guard 4 (B)
Yeah, yeah, to the end. I gotta say, though… Kamui rocks a mean beard. (He combs his fingers through his nonexistent beard)
Suddenly, a military officer from Tarakano's squadron and his men cut through with ice daggers and ice shields. Guards 3 and 4 are tasked with holding them back. Their ice shields scrape and grind against each other.
Guard 3
Kani?
Military man (Kani)
Soto?!
Guard 3 (Soto) and the Military man (Kani) face each other, looking shocked.
Guard 4
What's going on?
Soto
That's my cousin!
Kani
Soto, what are you doing here?! I thought you were guarding that fancy guy on Kiyuga!
Soto
I was reassigned! Great icehole! Nana's gonna be so mad when she hears about this!
Kani
And that's why she won't! (They continue to struggle, their ice shields clinching back and forth) Why are you defending Batua anyway, huh? He's got such a punchable little face!
Soto
Hey! You weren't here, but… This place was way better before Kamui came! It was nice! And now it's all crazy!
Kani
You're crazy!
Soto
No, you are!
Guard 3 looks at the two of them with his eyebrow raised.
SCENE 4
We cut to Hakoi and Umi being led through a small secret corridor by two guards. One of them has grabbed onto Hakoi's hand, pulling him along. Suddenly, Hakoi shakes him off angrily.
Hakoi
Don't touch me!
The guard rolls his eyes and continues to escort them through the corridor. Then he hears something and stops, motioning for Hakoi and Umi to back up against the wall.
They do this quietly, and the two guards ready their water as we hear footsteps approaching from around the corner. For a moment, the footsteps continue, but they don't turn the corner, instead they go off in the other direction. The guards exhale and motion for Hakoi and Umi to follow them again.
Then a trapdoor opens in the ceiling of the corridor and several of Batua's men jump down and surround them.
The camera circles around as H and U's guards get into a scrape with Batua's men, as ice daggers hit ice shields, Batua's guards resort to using brute force and conk H and U's guards with their ice shields and they go down.
Guard 1(Batua)
I knew that map of the palace would come in handy! So many secret tunnels!
Then Umi hides behind Hakoi.
Umi
(Whispering) Do something!
Hakoi
Like what?
Umi
I don't know! You're a soldier, aren't you?
We cut to a close up of Hakoi, wide eyed. One of Batua's men raises his ice dagger. Hakoi clumsily raises his, and he goes for the guard. The guard easily side steps Hakoi's attack, then he hooks Hakoi's hand with an ice grapple.
Hakoi
No! I'll take you all on!
Guard
Mhm…
Hakoi struggles against the ice hook. He raises a dagger with his other hand, but a second guard comes in from behind and subdues him.
Hakoi
We do not yield! Umi, help!
We cut to Umi, who shrugs, baffled. Then we cut back to Hakoi, who is forced to his knees as they tie his hands behind his back. He has a tear rolling down his face.
Hakoi
(Despondent) Fishhook…
We fade to a little bit later Batua's guards finish tying up the men who were escorting Hakoi and Umi. The camera then pans over to the siblings, who are also tied up, facing away from each other. Umi looks defiant, while Hakoi just gazes downward.
Umi
Do you have any idea who we are? Hmm?
Guard 2 (B)
Um, yeah. We know exactly who you are.
Umi
Then you know exactly how much trouble you're gonna be in for tying up the Empress! …And my brother. (Chuckles) Oh boy, you are going to regret this.
The guard rolls his eyes, then yanks on the rope, leading Hakoi and Umi out of the corridor.
Hakoi
(Under his breath) Your brother…
We cut to a wide shot and the guards and H and U leave the hallway, but we linger on the guards who are tied up. One of them looks down at the floor, sadly.
Guard
Come on, guys…
We cut to the world map on the wall of the war room, then we pan over to Kataia the elder, sitting at the table.
Kataia
Say this works, and you somehow make it through and catch him with his pants down. What happens next?
We cut to Batua, who stares down at the table in thought.
Ahlaq
It's a good question, your majesty.
Ahlaq and Kyana are also sitting at the table. Batua taps the table, and then looks up at Kataia.
Batua
All I know is that he needs to be punished.
Ahlaq narrows his eyes.
Ahlaq
Punished…
Kataia
What do you mean?
Batua
Maybe we throw him in jail for… A year? Hmm… Umi is not going to like that…
Ahlaq and Kataia look at each other and then back at Batua.
Kataia
Your plan is to punish your uncle? I don't understand.
Ahlaq
Kyana attacked him in cold blood. (Looks at her) No offense. (We briefly cut to Kyana, who is rubbing her face in regret) Kamui had every right to retaliate, just as you have every right to retaliate right back.
Batua
No. I'm not punishing him for that. He killed my brother.
Kataia
(Blinks) You killed your brother.
Batua pauses, then he looks over at Kyana, who nods at him. He looks back at the elders.
Batua
It's a little more complicated than that…
We cut to General Suikama, the old man from 2.2, pacing back and forth. He glances up and looks across the room at Batua, who is still talking to the elders.
We cut back to Hakoi and Umi, still being carted down the hidden corridors of the palace. The guard who captured them is staring at Hakoi with a malicious smirk.
Guard
Hakoi, Son of Kamui, Son of the Serpent. I've heard about you.
We cut to Hakoi, who looks back, unsure, and raises his eyebrow.
Hakoi
Yeah?
Guard
Mhm. I heard you were a fierce warrior, just like your old man. (Hakoi grins slightly) But to tell you the truth, I never believed it. (Hakoi then frowns) I thought, how could a royal who spent his whole life in a palace possibly know how to fight?
Hakoi shakes his head, then we pan to Umi, who wears an ever so slightly amused expression.
Guard
Thanks for proving my point!
We cut to Kamui, who is resting his eyes while the Chief Medic watches over him, scrawling something down in a scroll.
Then we cut to the scroll. The CM is doodling a goofy looking dragon flying through the air. Then the door opens and Tarakano comes in, grinning and rubbing his hands together.
Tarakano
(Sing Songy) Kamui…
Kamui opens his eyes, annoyed, then he sees Tarakano and smiles, sitting up.
Kamui
Yes? Tell me.
Tarakano
Your plan has come to fruition. As we speak, a legion of strapping young killers, fresh from the academy, is marching inside to dispatch some justice.
Kamui
Excellent. (He lies back down with a smile) Excellent.
Tarakano goes and pours the two of them a glass of wine. Ato, who has been lurking in the background, grabs a glass for himself, but Kamui clears his throat.
Kamui
No, no, no. Your men have the purple plook, remember? No wine for the sick.
Ato looks down sadly. Tarakano hands Kamui the glass, then drinks from his own, swishing the wine around in his mouth before swallowing.
Tarakano
When we get to the war room and capture your nephew… What would you like to happen?
Kamui looks down in thought, before he too takes a sip. Then he looks at Tarakano.
Kamui
I'm going to teach him a lesson.
We cut back to Suikama, who is warily gazing at Batua and Kyana from across the room.
Then we cut to Batua and Kyana, who are speaking away from everyone else.
Kyana
I'm so sorry I did this, Batua.
Batua
No, I'm sorry. For everything.
Kyana
I just… I don't know… I felt so powerless…
Beat. Batua shakes his head.
Batua
(Almost giddy) You stabbed Uncle Kamui.
Kyana
(Giddy also) I know! What would your father think?
Batua continues to shake his head, not knowing.
We cut back to Suikama, who is still watching them. Then Suikama hears a commotion and turns to the doorway to see guards 1 and 2 dragging Hakoi and Umi behind them.
Suikama raises his eyebrow, then recognizes the two royal brats. He shuffles over with worry.
Suikama
What is the meaning of this?
Guard 1 (B)
Look what me and the boys caught. Two royal koi.
We cut to Hakoi and Umi. Hakoi looks humiliated, while Umi has a slight grin and narrow eyes.
Suikama
You idiot. Umi is the Emperor's wife, not a bargaining chip!
Guard 1
(Surprised) But-
Suikama
And her brother retains… Some of that privilege.
We cut back to Hakoi, who looks down.
Guard 1
But I thought we could-
Suikama
No we can't, and we won't. End of discussion. Now get these two back to the north wing before the Emperor sees them!
Guard
(Beat) Ok…
The guard turns around and begins to lead them back out.
Suikama
And untie them.
Hakoi blinks in surprise, then he looks uneasy.
The guard frowns, then sighs and begins to untie the ropes around Hakoi. Then he moves along to Umi, untying her as well. He finishes untying the knot around her feet, then the camera follows as he stands back up and we land on Umi's satisfied face.
Umi
Told you so.
We cut back Batua, who looks across the room at General Suikama with a confused expression. Then he shrugs and looks back at the Kyana, before the elders walk back over to him.
Ahlaq
We've been talking…
Kataia
Emperor, truthfully, I see this ending one of two ways. You or him.
Batua sighs and looks down at the floor. Then Jantsi, his steward, comes back with a cup of tea and a Laka fruit on a plate. She hands them to Batua.
We cut to Suikama, who is then handed a message from a courier. He reads it, then quickly walks over to Batua and hands it to him. We stay on Batua. The camera slowly zooms in as he reads the message.
Suikama
They've brought in the kids from the academy. Your old class actually.
Batua's eyes widen. Beat. Then Batua gulps.
Batua
(Reading) Cadet Tahno? (Batua takes a sip of tea and burns his tongue) Ow!
We cut to Kani and Soto, whose ice shields are still locked together in the corridor, but they aren't exactly fighting…
Kani
No, you're stupid!
Soto
No, you're stupid!
Kani
No, you're stupid!
Suddenly, Tahno and his cadets roll in and reinforce Tarakano's battalion. A young cadet stands alongside Kani and pushes Soto back, disrupting their shield formation.
Another Cadet comes in from the side and gets Soto with an ice dagger to the throat.
The cadet fistpumps in glee, before the camera pans over to Kani, who is mortified. He lets out a high pitched scream and grabs the cadet by the neck, shaking him.
Kani
He was my cousin! What did you do?!
Cadet
I'm on your side!
Then Kani coughs up blood and falls to the floor. The city guard who stabbed him then falls to the floor right next to him. Tahno reveals himself, wielding a blood soaked ice dagger. He looks at his fellow cadet and grins half-heartedly.
Tahno
All that training really paid off.
Another of Batua's men comes for Hakoi, but Hakoi easily dodges the attack and then plunges a long ice dagger through the soldier's chest.
Kamui
Yes! Oh, Batua… You poor boy, you never were a strategist. Impulsive is what you are. Just like your mother.
Kamui stands in his office, staring out the window as Tarakano stands behind him. Kamui then turns around to look at his friend.
Kamui
Do you know when I first met the Empress? (Tarakano shakes his head, not caring) It was at a formal dance, many years ago. They brought Kyana out all dressed up, wearing a ceremonial robe with all the trappings, because they were trying to pair her up with my brother. And he took one look at her and it was done. (Kamui pauses and takes a sip of wine, before he inhales to complete his thought) I think-
Then the door bursts open, an Imperial Courier standing in the frame.
Courier
General Kamui!
Kamui
(Annoyed) I was in the middle of a story.
Courier
I'm sorry sir! …Do you want to continue?
Kamui
No, you idiot. Just… (Sighs) What is it?
Courier
(Looking down at a scroll) Sir, Captain Tyuk, the one who found the false prince… He just left the capital.
Kamui angrily growls, forming an ice dagger and then stabbing the wooden table. He glares at the courier.
Kamui
How did you even get in here?! There's a battle outside!
Courier
I walked here, sir.
Kamui narrows his eyes.
Kamui
Then walk back the way you came before I stab you in the eye.
The courier nods, terrified, then he runs away. Kamui sighs and then sits down, flicking at his beard.
Kamui
Damn it to Koi… I really wanted to see the captain die by Pong's hand…
There is another knock on the door.
Kamui
Seriously?
Kamui looks over. General Ato is standing there, sheepishly.
Kamui
(Scratching his face) This better be good.
Ato
It's not. (Chuckles, then clears his throat) The airbenders have picked a side.
Kamui
Yes? (Narrows his eyes)
Ato
Yes. They picked Batua.
We cut to a group of airbenders, marching through the hallways of the east wing, carrying buckets full of rice balls. They set the buckets down and start distributing them to Batua's city guard. We hear the familiar funky associated with airbenders making rice balls.
We cut to Kamui's soldiers, who are trying to get into the kitchen. The airbenders have barricaded the door, taking away their access to the dining hall, which leads to the main entryway of the palace. Batua's guards happily eat their rice balls as several soldiers reinforce the door with ice.
While Tarakano and Kamui's soldiers are struggling with the door, we pan to the soldier who found the scroll about maintaining your spice garden. He reads it, enthralled, and nods his head as he learns some surprising information about paprika.
We cut to Jantsi, who talks in the corner with another airbender. Jantsi nods, and then walks over to Batua. She grabs his teacup.
Jantsi
Would you like a refill?
Batua
No. What did your friend tell you?
Jantsi
My friend? Hmm. Ok. (She puts the teacup down) She told me that the airbenders have chosen a side.
Batua nods, leaning in.
Jantsi
They picked you, Emperor Batua.
Batua blinks, then he raises his eyebrow.
Batua
…Why?
Jantsi taps her fingers together, looks away for a moment.
Jantsi
If you really want to know, we appreciate your stance on earthbenders.
Batua looks confused.
Batua
My… Stance?
Jantsi shifts her own stance, looking uncomfortable.
Jantsi
Yes. You reminded the earthbenders of their place. We found this very reassuring.
Batua
Because…
Jantsi
Because, in your brother's efforts to uplift the servant class, he forgot that which us airbenders have known all along.
Batua
And that is?
Jantsi leans in and whispers in Batua's ear.
Jantsi
We are safe only as long as they are at the bottom.
Jantsi retreats from Batua's ear and looks away, sadly, then she looks back at Batua.
Jantsi
Do you understand?
Batua looks back with a mix of emotions. Queasiness being one of them.
Batua
Yes… I do…
Jantsi
(Holding Batua's teacup) Would you like a refill?
Guard
Are you sure this is the right way?
We cut to Hakoi, Umi and Batua's city guard walking through the hidden corridors again. This time Hakoi and Umi are untied and leading the Guard back to their chambers.
Hakoi
Yes, I've been through these tunnels a thousand times.
Umi
Why are you still following us?
Guard
(Rolls his eyes) Suikama entrusted me with your safety. (Umi snickers, then the guard looks at Hakoi, smirking) Unless the son of the serpent wants to try to get away again.
Hakoi sighs and shakes his head.
Hakoi
I'm not gonna fight you.
Umi
Why not?
Hakoi
Because it's beneath me, Umi! I don't even care about him, he's just some peasant!
Umi looks at the guard, waiting for his response. The guard narrows his eyes.
Guard
I don't need this. You can get back on your own.
The guard turns around and walks away, muttering under his breath.
Guard
I could have been an admiral…
We cut back to Hakoi and Umi, who continue to walk down the corridor. Umi looks at Hakoi with a hard to read expression.
We cut to the hallway of the royal chambers. We wait for a moment before a large square of the wall separates from the rest of the wall and moves sideways. We see Hakoi and Umi, who have just bent the large square out of the way, step into the hallway. Then they bend the square back into place.
We cut to Kamui, who is sitting at his desk with a sour expression, reading some more of Yamani's journal. Then another knock on the door. Kamui looks up to see Hakoi and Umi, a little worse for wear.
Umi
Hi. Bye.
Umi steps out of the doorway, leaving Hakoi. Kamui looks at Hakoi for a while, before he closes the journal and puts it on the desk.
Kamui
I heard you were captured.
Hakoi
Yes.
Kamui
And now you're here.
Hakoi
Yes.
Kamui nods, rubbing his beard.
Kamui
Tell me about your daring escape.
We cut to a city guard, lying on the floor. His chest is punctured full of holes and blood pools around his body. We cut to a wider shot. Batua's forces have been curb-stomped by the cadets.
The camera pans across the carnage and lands on the cadets and what is left of Tarakano's military men surrounding the door to the kitchen.
We cut to Batua's guards on the other side of the door, keeping it sealed.
Then we cut to Tahno, looking up at the ceiling. Him and his team are carving an entryway into the ceiling.
Tahno looks up at his idea and smiles proudly.
We fade to the moon, low in the sky behind the palace. Then we fade to Batua in silhouette, picking at his Laka fruit.
We fade to Kyana, who is lying down, looking worried.
We cut to Hakoi. He is looking down at a scroll. We cut to the scroll, which depicts Kamui's family when they were younger. His wife, Hakoi's mom, Lakoa, is standing next to Kamui. Her hand is on Hakoi's head.
Then we cut to Umi, who is lying down. A servant is sitting beside her, painting her toenails and humming. Then there is a knock at the door.
Umi
Come in!
The door opens and Hakoi steps in, looking gloomy. He sighs and then looks up at Umi and the servant.
Hakoi
(To the servant) Um… Can you leave?
Umi grunts and then nods at the servant, who awkwardly stands up and walks out. Hakoi watches her leave, then he sits down across from Umi, who remains lying down.
Long beat. Hakoi stares at the floor not knowing how to start. Finally, Umi sits up and crosses her arms.
Umi
Well?
Hakoi
I need to talk to you. (Umi nods) And you can not repeat a word of this to anyone ever! Not dad. No one! Understood?
Umi
(Snapping her finger) Yes. Yes. Spit it out.
Hakoi shakes his head and looks down at his leg in shame.
Hakoi
Tell me I'm as good as I used to be.
Umi
(Expressionless) …What.
Hakoi
You can't do it, can you?
Umi rolls her eyes and sneers at Hakoi.
Umi
What kind of stupid-
Hakoi
Tell me I haven't lost my edge, Umi! (Umi blinks, then looks away) See? You can't, because I suck now! (He grabs his face)
Umi
Ugh! Don't be weak! What is wrong with you?
Hakoi
I don't know! Something happened!
Umi slowly looks down at his leg.
Umi
That crazy nomad chopped your leg in half, that's what happened. And it was disgusting. (Cut to Hakoi, looking down, remembering) Don't you remember? Your bone was, like, literally broken in two. (Cut back to Umi, who shudders) I can't even…
Hakoi looks away.
Hakoi
Yeah, you can't, because nothing like that has ever happened to you. Your life is perfect.
Umi
Pfft.
Hakoi
You never defended this empire. You never fought a day in your life. All you do is decorate your nails! And you get to be the Empress?!
We cut to Umi, who stares at Hakoi incredulously. The camera slowly zooms in on her. We cut back to Hakoi, who shakes his head. Then he sighs.
Hakoi
I'm sorry. I just-
Umi
You know what, Hakoi? (Grabs his hand) You need to stop looking at this as a bad thing. Because it's really not.
Hakoi
(Confused) What are you talking about?
Suddenly, the score is a fluttering of quiet chaos.
Umi
(Shrugs) All my life I wanted a younger sister. Someone who I could go shopping with and talk about boys. Now I finally have one.
Hakoi suddenly stands up, staring daggers at Umi.
Hakoi
Shut up. That's not funny.
Umi
Oh, I'm very serious. If you're going to keep whining, at least embrace your new lifestyle. Make the most of it.
We cut to a close up of Hakoi, whose eyes are wide as a storm of emotions crashes behind them. He blinks, then he turns around and walks out of the room.
We follow Hakoi for a moment as he walks through the hallway and the chaotic crashing of instruments builds up. We cut to a close up of his hand, which slowly balls into a fist. Then the music stops.
Hakoi takes a deep breath and walks out of frame.
Then we cut back to Umi, still lounging on the couch. She is looking down at her nails, blithely humming a tune. Then she sighs in boredom and lays down on the couch.
We cut to an overhead shot as Umi stares at the ceiling. After a moment, she flicks her earlobe with her finger, then furrows her brow.
Umi stands up and yawns. The camera lazily follows her as she walks out of the room and into the hallway. Another piece of music slowly builds up, this one is more sinister. We continue to follow her as she makes her way to Kamui's new office.
We cut to Kamui, who is lying down, finally getting some rest. Then Umi knocks on the door and opens it. Kamui is very annoyed.
He slowly turns his head towards Umi.
Umi
Hi dad. I was just wondering…
Kamui
…Yes?
Umi
(Fiddling her hands) So, um… Remember those earrings you promised me?
Umi smiles sheepishly. We cut to a close up of Kamui as the music reaches a crescendo. Then he narrows his eyes and smiles.
TO BE CONTINUED…