AVATAR: EMPIRE OF ICE
BOOK 2: TRADE
CHAPTER 12: TRUST
With a bombastic, brassy entrance, we fade in on the monk statue from the ice tunnel in the Capital, but it's different. It's younger.
An ancient artist whose name has been lost to history is in the process of sculpting it, using earthbending. The camera pans over and the monk himself is revealed. He sits motionless, posing for the artist. All around the monk, earthbenders and waterbenders bow down in prayer. This guy is clearly someone important.
In the background we can see a very different Capitol. The Capitol from 300 years ago. The monk is wearing the original pendant, made of a red wood and decorated with turquoise circles.
The sculptor makes sure to include the pendant.
Suddenly, we hear the galloping footsteps of a gang of eelhounds. A group of waterbenders sweep through the city attacking the earthbending citizens. The artist and the monk are caught up in this. They futilely earthbend to defend themselves, then they end up running.
We cut to the monk sailing away from the capital on a small wooden boat.
Then we cut to the monk several years later. He is on the earth continent, and he now has long hair and a beard. He is living in poverty, but he still has the fancy pendant around his neck.
He meets a woman in a small village and they have a son.
We cut to the monk and his son hunting down a yak-goat to survive.
Then we cut to the former monk hand the necklace to his son. His son ties it around his own neck.
The necklace gets passed down through the generations. Many different people wear the necklace, and in the background, we can see them building a new society, and getting richer in the process.
Finally, the last person in the chain is Emperor Tang, standing in his administrative office. He holds the necklace up for Kato to see.
Kato
That is incredible!
Tang
(Nods) Yep.
Tang briefly appears pensive, then he looks back at Kato.
Tang
You want to hear the most incredible part?
Kato
Yes!
Tang walks towards Kato, puts his hand on his shoulder, and pretends like he doesn't want anyone else to hear.
Tang
I made the whole thing up.
Kato blinks, then he furrows his brow.
Kato
What?
Tang steps back and gestures with his hands.
Tang
it's all a big fat lie, Kato! I don't come from some ancient earthbending Kamakoi bloodline. I don't even know where I come from! (He holds up the pendant) Someone sold this to me for two silver pieces and a rabiroo. (Tilts his head back and moans dramatically) Oh, it feels so good to finally tell the truth!
Kato narrows his eyes, then he starts to pace, thinking about this.
Kato
I see. It's just a story.
Tang
Yes. I think it gives my people courage.
Kato looks back at Tang, sizing him up.
Kato
So you don't really know what it's like. To feel the weight of a lineage on your shoulders.
Kato then looks down in shame.
Tang
Hey. Listen. (Kato looks back up) Now you know one of my secrets. We're even.
Kato acknowledges this, nodding. Then he looks back down at the pendant, glancing at the writing on it.
Kato
Do you know what the writing says?
Tang
(Looking down at the pendant) On this?
Kato
Yes. Do you have any idea? I ask because there was a statue back in the capital. And the man in the statue was wearing a necklace which looked very similar to this one. (Tang reacts to this) I brought it to all my learn'd men, but none of them were able to crack the code.
Tang
Gee, those geniuses back at the capitol couldn't crack it?
Kato
…I know you hate my people. But can you answer the question?
Tang grabs the pendant, looking down at it.
Tang
Yes. I know what it says.
Kato raises his eyebrow.
Tang
If we manage to defeat your people, I'll tell you what it means.
We cut back to Kato. The camera slowly zooms in.
Tang
Anyway, can you leave? I'm very tired.
Kato
(Awkwardly sprouting up) Yeah, yeah, sorry.
Kato walks out of Tang's office, then he looks up at the wall above the door. The camera pans up from the door to a cryoglyph carved into the wall. It depicts the ancient battle Tang mentioned in his story, then depicts the monk moving to the earth continent and having children.
Kato looks at the etched story in thought. Then he walks out of the room. The camera stays on the cryoglyph, panning across the image of men fighting.
We fade to a cross section view of the palace. As we pan up the various floors, we see Kamui's men and Batua's men continue to fight. On the top floor, Tahno and his team of cadets are close to making their way into the east wing, where Batua and his team are hiding. Then we pan over to the right and land on Batua, Kyana and Ahlaq running down a secret corridor.
Batua (As he runs)
Are you sure we can trust this guy?
Ahlaq
My boy, it takes a lifetime to trust someone. A lifetime and a half!
Batua
What?!
Ahlaq
I don't know. Sometimes you think you know the world, Batua, and then she smacks you across the face like a wet mackerel! Why, I've known… I've known many people…
We cut to Batua, who is looking at Ahlaq in deep confusion as they continue to run down the long hallway.
Ahlaq
Many people…
Batua
What are you talking about?!
Ahlaq
I don't remember.
Batua
Can we trust this guy or not?!
Ahlaq
Yes! Yes! I assure you we can trust Captain Kuan. He's the best. And a huge supporter of your dynasty.
Batua nods. Then he looks over.
Batua
Mom?
We cut to Kyana, who is running alongside them. She has a thousand yard stare.
Kyana
I've never left the capital without your father…
Batua
Don't worry. This guy is gonna get you somewhere safe. And then…
Kyana
And then?
Batua
Um… (Shrugs) I win?
Kyana
Okay, sure. Let's go with that.
We cut to a small door on the side of the palace. The trio runs out of the door, past the barricades and towards the shipping docks.
We see Captain Kuan readying his ship, before he looks over at the approaching group. Ahlaq walks over and shakes his hand.
Ahlaq
Kuan. I trust you can keep this a secret?
Kuan
(Nods) For the Emperor. (He looks Batua) Maybe you want to join her?
We cut to Batua, who looks at the ship, then he looks at Kyana. He is clearly very tempted.
Ahlaq
Might be for the best. You can come back when this is all over.
Batua continues to look at Kyana, then he looks back towards the palace and sighs, shaking his head.
Batua
No… I can't.
Batua walks up and hugs Kyana, who hugs him back.
Kyana
Good luck.
Batua
Thanks, mom. You too, I guess…
Kyana nods at Batua, then she climbs aboard. The Captain follows.
Batua watches the ship sail away, then he faces Ahlaq. Ahlaq gazes back, seeming impressed, before he nudges his head.
Batua gulps. He turns to the side and looks.
And with a low, droning string, we cut to the palace.
The music turns rhythmic as we then cut to a surface of ice. We watch as a small circle forms, being sawed out through waterbending.
Tahno has carved a hole into the exhaust vent of the kitchen. He uses some water to cool the vent, and then he climbs up. His team waits below.
On the other side of the door, the airbender kitchen staff and a few guards are holding the line.
Tahno carves another hole in the ceiling, above the kitchen. We see his face looking through the hole, but nobody in the room notices.
We cut back to the hallway on the other side, towards the left, there is a fountain which features a giant Koi vomiting water onto a platform. Water begins to rise from the fountain.
Tahno's team is bending a massive stream of water out from the fountain and up into the hole. Tahno catches the stream.
We cut to an airbender, nervously eating a rice ball. The stream of water starts pouring onto his head.
Guard
What the!
AB1
Come on! Is there a water bender in the room? (He tries to use air to push the water back up)
Two guards nod their heads and then start to bend the stream back into the hole, but the stream resists their effort. Tahno looks like he's barely trying.
Tahno (From the ceiling)
Only two waterbenders? Okay.
Air Bender 2
Forget this!
The airbender grabs a kitchen knife and throws it at the hole. Tahno freezes the water and the knife gets lodged in the ice block, before Tahno sends the ice block back down into the kitchen, continuing to flood the room with water.
More small holes are carved into the door and wall and water pours in. The airbenders and the guards are trying to plug the holes, but it's becoming out of control.
Tahno
Ready to talk?
Water continues to pour into the room, increasing in speed. The water is waist high now.
A burly guard starts rising along with it.
BG
Okay, fine! Fine! Tell us what you want!
Tahno
Open the door and let us through.
BG
And what are you gonna do if we do that? Hmm?
Tahno
We just want to talk to the Emperor. Promise!
BG
And I should believe you?
Tahno
Yeah, why not?
BG
…Because you're a bloodthirsty little cadet boy, green as the day is long! I can feel it in my bones!
Beat. The water keeps rising.
Tahno
In your bones, huh? Fine. Have fun drowning in a kitchen.
The water continues to rise. Then the airbenders holding the door look amongst themselves, before looking at the guards.
AB2
Sorry!
We cut to the cadet team outside of the kitchen. The door bursts open and a wave of water pours out. The cadets start moving in, chopping down the guards, but leaving the airbenders unscathed.
One of them takes a rice ball from the table. Tahno jumps down through the hole and salutes the airbenders.
Tahno
Dagger and scepter, fellas.
The airbenders look down at the floor awkwardly. Tahno has finally made it through to the other side of the palace. He leads his team forward.
We cut to Yamani and Ziri in bed, early in the morning. Ziri is positioned very neatly, while Yamani is sprawled all over the bed, snoring.
Knock knock
Ziri raises her head in a jolt, then looks at the door.
Ziri
…Really?
She opens the door and sees Kato standing there. Her eyes widen, then she smirks.
Ziri
Good morning, Mushi. (Winks)
Kato looks into her eyes, then he facepalms.
Kato
You know.
Ziri
(Nods) Why are you here at this ungodly time?
Kato
I need to talk to Yamani.
Ziri
Are you aware of the concept of boundaries, Kato? I'm sure you grew up without any, but I assumed you would have learned in the last six months.
Kato
(Caught off guard) Wow. Not a morning person, huh?
Yamani yawns and wakes up in the background.
Yamani
Hey, earth boy. Ready to start training again?
Kato
(Almost singsongy) Yamani…
Yamani stands up and scratches her back.
Yamani
Yes?
Kato
Why did you tell Emperor Tang my secret? Not to mention why did you tell Ziri?
Yamani
(Walking over to Ziri and hugging her) I tell Ziri everything, Kato. 100% honesty.
Kato
Okay. And Tang?
Yamani
Come on… I had to tell Tang.
Kato
Why?
Yamani
Because you're both Emperors!
Kato
Yeah, well, he almost killed me!
Ziri
What?
Yamani breaks off from Ziri and looks at Kato.
Yamani
Seriously?
Kato
He held a rock the size of a carriage over my head.
Yamani
And then?
Kato
And then he put it down… (Groans) It doesn't matter. You know how he feels about my people. What if we lose? Is he gonna take it out on me? Or maybe he'll give me up to save himself! Maybe I'm just a bargaining chip!
Ziri
It sounds like you think we're gonna lose.
Kato looks at Ziri and then sighs.
Kato
It's the Kamakoi Empire…
Yamani
Don't worry, Kato. He's not interested in doing any of those things. That's not how his mind works.
Kato
Because you know him so well. Having been here for the past three years.
Yamani's eyes narrow.
Ziri
I think it's time for you to go.
Kato
Fine… But I think this was a bad idea, Yamani. (He turns around and starts to walk out, before turning back to Yamani) Don't tell Jinhai.
Yamani nods. Ziri closes the door behind him.
We cut to Kato walking out of the cave complex and onto the main road.
Then we flash back to a year ago. Kato walks into the war room and is greeted by Emperor Atakui. He takes his seat beside him, and Batua takes the seat after that. Our focus shifts to Batua.
Atakui
Let us begin the proceedings.
Batua gets distracted as people start talking, he picks at a chip in the table with his finger.
Kato
General Suikama. How goes the campaign in Taku?
Suikama
Oh, my word! You would adore the landscape, my prince. And you too, My Grace, it is simply marvelous.
Another General seems intrigued.
General
Do tell.
Suikama
Oh, it was a feast for the eyes. Snow-capped mountains. Magnificent foliage. There were bushes of pineberry lining every road.
Batua raises his eyebrow.
Batua
Pineberries? I don't think they grow in Taku. It's too warm.
The General narrows his eyes at Suikama.
General
He's right, General Suikama. There are no pineberries in Taku.
Captain
You don't even know what kind of fruit grows there, old man?
Batua
(To himself, quiet enough that no one hears him) Of course, you can grow pinecone-berries down there. Which look very similar…
Soldier 1
Did you even go down to Taku?
Soldier 2
He probably didn't even leave the tent.
Soldier 3
Hey everyone! Suikama's afraid to leave the tent!
Everyone laughs. We cut to Atakui, who is on the verge of cracking a smile.
Suikama looks devastated, then he glares at Batua with contempt. Batua shrugs obliviously in response.
We fade to General Suikama in the present. He is leading the last remaining soldiers down the hallway to face off against Tahno and his team.
Suikama has a scowl on his face.
Suikama
Remember, men. We need to be decisive.
A soldier whips up an ice dagger, readying himself.
Suikama
Not so fast.
All the way across the hallway, we can see Tahno and his men slowly make their way from around a corner.
Suikama motions for his men to stop.
Suikama
(Shouting) We shall meet in this hallway, cadet! If your men lay down your weapons, I promise mine will do the same!
Beat.
Tahno
You know we could wipe you off the map.
Suikama
I have no doubt. But it is not cowardice that drives me.
Tahno
Okay. (Shrugs) Talk.
Suikama
I believe the great Koi has endowed me with a gift. The ability to see right into a man's soul, and know what his future holds. And right now this ability is screaming in my ear.
Tahno
Really? What does it scream, praytell?
Suikama
Emperor Batua must be stopped. Before he does any more damage to the throne.
We cut to a close up of Tahno. He smiles.
Tahno
That's interesting. My boys and I are trying to find Batua.
Suikama
Really? How… Coincidental.
Tahno
And he wasn't in the war room like they said.
Tahno readies his weapon and starts marching down the hall towards Suikama. His team follows.
Suikama
Wait!
Tahno continues marching towards him.
Suikama
I'll take you to Batua. I'll lead you right to him!
Tahno stretches the weapon back into water, then he puts his arm around Suikama's shoulder, leading him forward.
Tahno
Let's go.
We cut to Batua's brother, Kato. He looks forlorn, riddled with anxiety. Then Kato gets hit with a blast of air and falls over.
Yamani
You're supposed to defend yourself. Otherwise I'm just beating you up.
Kato stands up and wipes the dirt off of himself.
Kato
Yeah, sorry…
Yamani
Don't sorry me. What's going on?
Kato
I'm just thinking.
Yamani
About…
Kato goes over to a tree and picks a leaf from it.
Kato
You do realize we're about to face off against the Kamakoi, right? This is insane. We can't win.
Yamani
You really think that?
Kato
My people are savages. It's like they were bred for war. And with a first strike like this, you don't even want to know what they do.
Yamani
(Narrowing her eyes) Tell me.
Kato
I remember reading about it the night before it all happened.
We flash back to Kato and Ta in Kato's bedroom in the palace. Kato has various informational scrolls lined up on his bed. He is holding one up for Ta and himself to read. As Kato in the present talks, we see Kato in the past saying the same thing.
Kato
It's called a 'Humiliation Campaign'.
Ta, tears rolling down her cheeks, turns away.
We cut back to the present.
Yamani
Is that what it sounds like?
Kato
They attack fast and hard, then they offer you a choice. If you surrender now, the fighting stops and all they want is a tribute. But it's a trick, to get you to open the city gates. That's where the real campaign starts. They go in. They loot. They rape. And they do business with whatever is left. They don't want a partner. They want a slave state.
Yamani looks down, grimly contemplating this. Then she looks back up.
Yamani
You didn't know that your own army was doing this?
Kato
They never put it in the reports.
Yamani looks down and groans. Then she looks back at Kato.
Yamani
I knew this was a bad idea. But Ziri and Tang, and the rest of my people. They are obsessed with this idea that we need to take down the Kamakoi! I should have been here. (Yamani takes a branch and snaps it)
Kato
What would you have done? Allow them to tap your lake? You know what happens next. First it's just your lake, then it's your farms, then it's your caves and your minerals, and soon enough-
Yamani
We're in the exact same position. Except, they have a lay of the land.
Kato
Exactly.
Yamani
(Sighs) Maybe this was inevitable. Still… I think we could have done better than actively goading them into war.
Kato
It's like Tang has something to prove. He acts all big and scary, but deep down…
Yamani
Deep down he's not a warrior. He's a trader. It's all about image with him.
Kato
Image…
Yamani
Maybe that's how we win.
Kato
Huh?
Yamani goes to a bush and starts taking sticks and leaves and covering herself with them. Then she approaches Kato like a deranged forest creature.
Yamani
(In a ghostly voice) I am a forest spirit, turn back now! (Regular voice) We scare them up the river and they never even get close. You know how terrified they are of the forest.
Kato
Yeah, maybe…
Yamani sheds the forest getup.
Yamani
Maybe we put the biggest, meanest men we can find right on the border. And we say that they are just the beginning, there are loads more scary guys right around the corner! And then I get my flying machine working again and we attack them from the sky!
Yamani flies up, before she airily lands on a large boulder. Now her feet are dangling down from above the frame. Kato looks up at her.
Kato
Kind of the opposite of what you did yesterday.
Yamani
When?
Kato
When we first arrived. You pretended those ruins were your town. Jinhai thought she was gonna have to sleep in a sand-filled hut.
Yamani
Oh yeah. (Chuckles) Good times…
Kato smirks up at Yamani, then he grabs another leaf from the branch. He plays with it in silence for a moment.
Beat. The camera slowly zooms in on the image of Kato standing on the left and Yamani's feet dangling down on the right. Then she kicks the boulder she's sitting on.
Yamani
Wait a second. That's it.
Kato looks confused.
Kato
What do you mean?
Yamani continues to sit above the frame, her feet kicking in realization.
Yamani
I have an idea.
Cut to Ziri, who is walking around the crystal catacombs. She is muttering to herself.
Ziri
The yellow has to be all the way around. And with three triangles. Or four. The triangles are good, triangles are solid, stable, pyramids. One side of a pyramid, made of brick. A pyramid made of golden bricks. Seven golden penumbras on a pantheon of pernicious pysma.
Suddenly Ziri stops on a bridge over the canal. She sees Baka from afar. As she gets closer, she sees that Baka is crying.
Ziri stops and nods her head.
Ziri
Hello.
Baka turns towards Ziri and wipes his face.
Baka
Um. Hi…
Ziri
I heard something interesting about you, sir. (Baka raises his eyebrow) Come with me.
Ziri motions for Baka to follow her.
We cut to a lock. Then we hear a bit of firebending, and the heat activates a switch which turns the lock. Then the door opens.
Baka walks into the room. We are in a large warehouse full of enormous pieces of art.
He walks around in awe. Ziri watches him with a creepy smile on her face.
We cut to Batua, Kataia, Takai, Ahlaq, and Pong hiding in Pong's studio. Batua notices an unfinished sculpture of Kyana wielding a knife.
The door is locked up tight.
Knock knock knock… Knock.
Batua nods and looks at the elders, who look back.
Batua
Suikama?!
Suikama
(From the other side of the door) Yes, your majesty!
Batua
You're back already? What happened?
Suikama
We were victorious. Now please let us in so we can tell you all the details.
Batua once again looks at the elders. They shrug and nod, so Batua gets up and walks over to the door.
Batua
Okay, fine.
Batua undoes the lock, before he slowly opens the door.
The door gets slammed open and a low droning string starts up again. Batua walks back in shock as Tahno enters the studio.
Tahno
Well, look who it is. Mister Emperor.
Batua
(Terrified) Tahno.
Batua keeps backing up in terror as Tahno approaches, moving through the long room full of artworks. As he backs up, he tries to defend himself with Pong's sculptures, but Tahno knocks them away each time and they shatter.
Pong
No! My Babies!
Batua finally hits a wall behind him and he stands there, facing his old training buddy.
Batua
(To Suikama) What the koi?! You said we were victorious!
Suikama shrugs.
Batua's eyes widen, then he shakily raises a wave of water. Tahno quickly slaps the wave out of his hands. Then he moves up close.
Tahno
I'm sorry to tell you this, Batua, but your General flipped.
Batua gasps, shaking his head.
Tahno
Yep. No fight, no nothing. I didn't even have to raise my ice before he offered you up. Seems like he really hates you…
Batua glares at Suikama with shock and betrayal. Suikama glares back.
Batua
How could you do this to me?! You are so dead, old man!
Suikama
I think you have it backwards.
Batua goes to take a swing, but Tahno and another cadet hold Batua back. Batua then looks back at Suikama and growls.
Suikama
Don't look at me like that. You think I forgot?
Batua
Forgot what?!
Suikama
(Mocking Batua) There are no pineberries in Taku, I'm Batua and I can't keep my damn mouth shut! You stupid little spoiled brat. One little comment from you and my career was history! Well, you can take your botanical buffoonery and your bad attitude and shove them down your-
Suikama starts coughing up blood as Tahno slits his throat with an ice dagger. Tahno's team all draw ice daggers and hold them to the throats of Suikama's men. Suikama falls to the floor, dead.
Batua blinks and then looks back at Tahno, before recoiling back.
Batua
Hey…
Tahno walks up to Batua, then he drops the ice dagger at Batua's feet, before kneeling.
Batua
(Awkward) Um… What are you doing?
Tahno
I am at your service, Emperor Batua.
Batua looks confused. He looks towards the elders, who are just as confused as he is.
Batua
But you hate me!
Tahno stands up and then he looks Batua in the eyes with an unreadable expression.
Tahno
The throne is yours. Are you really going to let your uncle take it away from you?
We cut back to Batua. He looks into Tahno's eyes, then he shakes his head.
Batua
No.
Tahno
So what are you gonna do?
Batua's face scrunches up in thought, then he looks back at Tahno with an idea.
We cut to Kamui in his office. The Chief Medic is leaning over, examining his shoulder.
CM
See? See what happens when you give it time to heal?
Kamui
(Sarcastic) The human body is a wonder.
CM
Yes. Now we can get these stitches out and you can continue to endanger yourself.
Kamui glares at the CM.
Kamui
Endanger myself? The woman stabbed me with no provocation whatsoever.
CM
Killing her son probably didn't help…
We cut to a close up of the stitching. We see the CM's prongs getting close to the string, then clamping down on it, before-
Knock knock knock!
We cut back to a wide shot.
Kamui
Yes?
The door opens and General Ato steps inside, holding an envelope.
Ato
We have received a letter from Batua's camp.
Kamui
(Rubbing his hands together) Excellent. A letter of surrender, no doubt. The cadets must have done a number on them. Hand it over.
Kamui stands up and takes the envelope, before using an ice dagger to open it up. He tosses the seal aside and unfurls the scroll as Ato, the CM and some other military people stop and listen. While Kamui reads the letter, his smile slowly turns into a scowl.
Kamui
'Hey Uncle. You messed up sending in the cadets because Tahno is now on my side. Ha Ha. Come and see for yourself, if you dare! Now here is the new deal: You can either give up now and surrender, or you can continue to plot against the EMPEROR and the THRONE and be destroyed. Your choice. P.S. I am the reincarnation of Atakami the Blessed.'
Kamui looks down and sighs. Then he shreds the letter apart with his hands. We see all of the little bits of paper fall to the ground.
Kamui then walks towards the window, looking down at the plaza.
Kamui
Ready a scroll. I have my response.
TO BE CONTINUED…