AVATAR: EMPIRE OF ICE
BOOK 2: TRADE
CHAPTER 15: MIYUKI
We're thrust into a picture book story once again. This time the narrator is Jin, the earthbending woman who lives in the Capitol with her 2 sons, Han and Shin. The style is watercolor and simple.
Jin
Avatar Huang laid down the mighty boulder and cried, 'None shall pass!' And the warriors stopped in their tracks. He looked among them, saw their faces. 'Why, you shall be weeping soon' He told them, 'For you have broken the sacred pact. And this not even the spirits can forgive.' The chief Hua Sun laughed in Huang's face. He boasted that nothing could stop him and his army, not even a mighty spirit. 'We shall find out soon enough.' Huang declared. 'For I am a spirit on earth!' And with the help of his people, Avatar Huang summoned an earthquake so large that the warriors rumbled and tumbled and bounced all the way home. The village was safe once again. When they got back home, Prince Buram threw the Avatar a giant celebration with colorful lights and dancers and singers, but Huang was happy just to be with his friends again. Prince Buram married Princess Sachi and they all lived happily ever after. The end.
We cut to Jin and her two sons, sitting in their little home.
Han
What happened next?
Shin
Where is the Avatar now?
Jin
Avatar Huang lived a long time ago. Before you were born. Before I was born.
Shin
Oh… Is there a new Avatar?
Jin looks off to the side.
Jin
There was when I was a girl…
Shin
Who was it?
Jin
Avatar Miyuki.
Shin
Huh?! Who's Avatar Miyuki?
Han
Is she going to save us, mama? Like Avatar Huang saved his people?
Jin takes a moment, then shakes her head.
Jin
I don't think so… Nobody has seen Avatar Miyuki for twenty years… She disappeared… (Jin holds her sons tight) That's why we earthbenders have to look out for each other.
Han
Why did she disappear?
Jin shrugs, thinking about it. Then she turns to him.
Jin
It's a lot to ask of someone, I suppose. To be the savior.
Han nods his head.
Han
Yeah…
Shin
Where did she go?
Jin looks out the window, shaking her head.
Jin
Nobody knows…
We fade from Jin to Jang, 5 months ago. He is in the Kamakoi outpost, looking out the window at the grand ancient air temple atop the mountain. We hear the eerie music again as Jang gazes up, fear in his eyes.
Then his expression changes and he stands up.
We cut to a shot of the floor. Jang steps over the unnamed, unconscious Kamakoi soldiers. Then he heads for the exit, opening his glider.
We see the craggly cliffside. Jang gets a running start, then he glides off towards the air temple with a SWOOSH.
We cut to Kato in the present, still frozen in shock. Jinhai's hand waves in front of his face and he snaps out of it.
Kato
Um… Hi.
Jinhai
Hi…
Jinhai looks baffled.
Kato
What happened?
Jinhai
Well… You would think it was Koh the Face Stealer that just tried to kiss you. But no, it was me…
Kato starts to babble incoherently, shaking his head.
Kato
I… I, um… The…
Jinhai puts her hand over his mouth.
Jinhai
Stop.
Kato nods his head.
Jinhai
(Long sigh) Maybe I misread the situation. I'm sorry if I-
Kato
(Taking her hand off) No, it's not that.
Jinhai
Okay…
Kato sighs, he leans in and talks quietly.
Kato
It's just… I've only done this once before, and… (We flash back to Ta slapping Kato across the face) It did not go well… And that's just the beginning.
Jinhai
(Nervously chuckles) I understand.
Kato smiles, and so does Jinhai. Then Kato takes Jinhai's face in his hands and plants one on her. She giggles in surprise.
Kato
Listen… There's something I have to tell you.
Jinhai
What is it, Mushi?
Kato
That's it, exactly. I'm not-
KNOCK KNOCK
Jinhai and Kato turn towards the door. Beat.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Yamani
(From behind the door) Open up!
Kato and Jinhai both look confused. Then Kato stands up and walks over. Behind the door, he finds Yamani looking distressed and wet. Then Kato looks behind Yamani.
The camera pans over and reveals Jang standing behind her.
Jang and Kato make eye contact, before Kato exhales and takes a step back.
Kato
Jang?!
Jang waves sheepishly and looks down. Kato is in fight or flight mode, backing up against the wall. Then Jinhai stands up with concern.
Jin
What happened?
Yamani
I'm sorry, Jinhai.
Yamani walks in and grabs Kato by the shoulder, pulling him out.
Yamani
Family meeting!
The door shuts in Jinhai's face.
We cut to Kato behind a crackling fire. He looks warily to his left side. Then the camera starts to swivel to the right, That 70's Show style. First we see Yamani, looking down in uncomfortable silence. Then we see Jang, also looking awkward. Then we finally land on Ziri, who is staring at Jang with a huge grin.
There is a long, long, excruciating wait before Ziri finally breaks the silence.
Ziri
So, you are Yamani's father!
Jang looks at Ziri and nods, then he looks back at the fire. Ziri stares at him with big eyes, then she turns to Yamani.
Ziri
I didn't know that was him.
Yamani looks at Ziri strangely. She also nods.
Yamani
That's him.
Then Yamani looks back at the ground. She sees a cater-fly, inching along the dirt. Ziri then looks at Kato.
Ziri
And who is he to you?
Kato's eyes go wide, then he looks at Jang. Neither Jang nor Kato can look each other in the eyes. Jang then turns to Ziri with a smirk.
Jang
He's a spoiled brat.
Kato
What?!
Ziri looks back at Kato.
Kato
(Yelling) You are a deranged, manipulative-
Ziri
Okay! I can see there's some tension here. I think some roasted vegetables might make this go down a bit smoother.
Kato
It's the middle of the night, I don't want roasted vegetables!
Jang
What kind do you have?
Kato then shoots Jang a look.
Ziri
Carrots and potatoes.
Jang
(Surprised) You have carrots? They don't grow up north!
Ziri
We've got a silo full of carrots.
Jang
My word… And who are you?
Ziri
(Snorts) Yamani didn't mention me?
Jang
…No?
Ziri
Oh… (Turns to Yamani) Really?
Yamani looks up at Ziri. Now the cater-fly is crawling along Yamani's hands.
Beat.
Yamani
I don't know what to say…
We cut to a wide shot of the four of them.
Then we cut to a large pan standing over the fire. Some downbeat music accompanies the carrots and potatoes sizzling in the pan.
Kato looks surprisingly satisfied with the decision, munching away happily. Ziri watches him and smirks with the knowledge that she was right.
Ziri then walks over and talks to Yamani privately.
Ziri
Hey. Talk to me. How are you feeling?
Yamani looks over at Jang, then back at Ziri.
Yamani
I didn't want to see him again.
Ziri
(Nods) Do you want him to leave?
Yamani takes a moment, considering this, then she shakes her head.
Yamani
No. This is bigger than me. (Fake smile) I'll get over it. (Ziri raises her eyebrow, then Yamani nudges her head to the side) Look at those two, Ziri.
Ziri does this, and we cut to Kato and Jang from Yamani and Ziri's POV.
Yamani
It's been a long time coming with them. We need to stand back and let them hash this out.
Ziri
Who are they to each other, anyway?
Yamani
That's a complicated question. In all the time I traveled with them, I never knew which one had the upper hand.
We shift focus to Kato and Jang. They are both eating happily, looking away from each other in silence. Finally, Kato turns slightly in Jang's direction.
Kato
So, did you do it?
Jang
…Do what?
Kato
Did you assemble your army?
Jang takes a moment and chuckles, popping another carrot in his mouth.
Jang
I'm sure you already know the answer to that question. (Kato shrugs) If anything worked out like I hoped it would, I sure wouldn't be here talking to you.
Kato
No, you would be in the Capitol, leading the parade with my brother's head on a spike.
Jang
(Concerned) Is that what you think I am?
Kato takes pause, looking up at the crystals.
Jang
We have the same goals, Kato. When are you going to realize that?
Kato
You're wrong. I don't have any goals.
Jang furrows his brow. Kato eats some more vegetables, thinking about something, then he turns to Jang.
Kato
Where have you been all this time?
Jang
I told you I would fly south to find her. And that's what I did. I flew south.
We cut to Yamani, listening carefully. Jang slowly turns his attention to her, flashes a knowing glance.
Jang
And I found her.
Yamani freezes. We can almost hear her heartbeat.
Ziri
Who? Your-
Yamani nods.
Jang then motions for Yamani to join them. Yamani shakily walks over and sits down. Ziri follows her, unsure of what's happening. Kato takes a seat next to them. All three of them wait for Jang to continue.
He looks down and shakes his head with a small smile, then he begins.
With a discordant slam of percussion, we cut to Jang flying towards the grand ancient air temple. The music is mysterious and terrifying.
Suddenly, Jang hears a low, booming snarl. He turns to the left and sees a flying bison heading straight for him.
Jang
AH! (Groans) Stupid noble beast.
The bison almost gets Jang with its horns, but he evades at the last moment.
Jang dismounts in front of a temple monk, Song. Song bows to Jang.
Song
Peace be with you, brother.
Jang
And uh… With you. (Bows awkwardly)
Song
How may I help you?
Jang
If you would just- (Pushes past Song) -Thank you!
Jang walks into the temple. Song looks surprised and then runs in front of Jang, stopping him.
Song
I apologize! Do you have an invitation?
Jang
(Waves around his glider) I'm an airbender, so-
Song
A member of this temple must vouch for you if you want entry.
Jang takes a step back, incredulous.
Jang
Well, that's not very brotherly.
Song
(Nods) Yes, but these are dangerous times for our faith.
Jang
(Rolls his eyes) I couldn't agree more.
Song
However, if you need a place to sleep, my associate Bo Lau can assist you.
Jang grabs Song by the collar of his robe.
Jang
I don't need to talk to Bo Lau. I need to talk to Miyuki.
Song's eyes widen. Beat.
Song
She is not taking visitors, I'm afraid.
Jang
And I'm afraid you have no clue what you're talking about. So, excuse me.
Jang pushes past Song and walks deeper into the temple, looking up at the grandeur of it in awe and dismay.
Jang
(To himself) Why are you here?
Song
(Running after him) Brother!
Jang turns around and sends Song sliding across the floor with an air blast. Then Jang runs into the main complex.
A chorus of voices begin quietly.
We pan across the murals and mosaics and ancient artifacts littering this grand institution.
We see murals of ancient airbender societies, flying bison, armies traversing through the skies. Jang can't help but look at these murals warily as he walks by them.
Then he walks past a group of men with very long beards, discussing something privately. They watch Jang with distrust as he walks past.
The chorus of voices becomes louder and louder as Jang makes his way through the temple. Then he finally arrives at the inner sanctum.
Jang walks through the door and slowly looks up with an uneasy hesitation.
The chorus reaches its crescendo and then stops, replaced by a faint, queasy whisper, and Jang curdles into a state of confusion and disappointment.
We cut to a pair of feet, hovering high above the floor. Way below in the background, Jang is staring at the owner of the feet.
Jang
…What is this? What's become of you?
Glacially, the camera pans up above the woman's feet. Past her beige robes and her clasped hands is a head full of curly hair. Her eyes are shut.
Jang lets out a sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
Jang
Miyuki. Look at me.
We cut to a close up of Miyuki's eyes. She slowly opens them and her pupils are rolled back in her head like a lizard. After they descend, she still only looks at the sky.
Miyuki
Jang.
Jang looks up at her with a complicated expression.
Miyuki
Yours is a voice long absent from my ears. I hardly recognized it.
Jang
Yeah. I missed you too…
Miyuki hovers for a long time without responding.
Jang
You were always in my thoughts. Every day for twenty years, you reminded me of our mission.
Miyuki
And this is why you've returned? To remind me?
Jang
What? No… I was always going to come back. I… I had to lay the foundation, you understand?
Miyuki
Yes, I remember.
Jang
And such a thing takes time.
Beat.
Miyuki
Time…
Jang looks down and smirks to himself.
Jang
That's right! (Pause. Looks up) I'm old now. And so are you.
Miyuki
I am what I've always been.
Jang
(Chuckles) Well, that's certainly not true. (Jang takes a few steps towards her) You used to walk around in the dirt with the rest of us. You used to do many things that I'm guessing you no longer do…
Beat.
Miyuki
Yes.
Jang
Come down and talk to me.
No response. Jang frowns.
Jang
All these years… All this time… (Voice raises) You're not even going to ask?
Miyuki
About what? Your life?
Jang
No… (Laughs) Oh, Miyuki… Perhaps your cruelty has remained after all these years. I would hope it was that, because to think you would treat me this way without malice is too much to bear!
Miyuki hovers for a while.
Jang
Well?!
Miyuki
You speak of our mission from so long ago.
Jang
Aren't you the least bit curious?
Miyuki
Curious why you left for so long? I have severed all ties with the material world. Whatever curiosity I once had has all been washed away.
Jang
(Scoffs) I don't believe you.
No response.
Jang
This is pathetic.
Miyuki
I agree.
Jang angrily takes another few steps forward.
Jang
What happened to you?
Miyuki
I have accepted the soothing wisdom of your people.
Jang
(Unraveling) And you really ran with it! You always had to be the best at everything, didn't you?
Miyuki
I make no claim that-
Jang
You are the AVATAR! Have you forgotten?!
Miyuki
I forget nothing.
Jang
You are the dreaded one! You are the fire of the north! You could destroy those bluecoats and their whole empire with a… With a flick of your pinky finger!
No response.
Jang
Say something!
No response.
Jang
SAY SOMETHING!
Miyuki begins to rise higher into the air, the camera slowly zooming in.
Miyuki
I'll tell you what I know. Empires rise and fall. Cities are built and destroyed. Armies gather in force and in the end are reduced to weight on the scales of chance, and all of this no louder than a sandcastle crumbling on the beach.
Jang
(Shaking his head) So that's it?
Miyuki
I can't change anything.
Jang
You have all the power in the world! And this is what you choose to do with it. You are weak.
Jang turns around and marches out of the room.
Miyuki
Wait.
In the background, Miyuki drops an inch lower. Jang stops, still facing the door. He narrows his eyes, then he slowly turns around.
Miyuki is finally looking at him.
Miyuki
Don't leave me again.
Jang looks back with barely contained despair.
Jang
…Why?
Miyuki
I found peace here, Jang. My only wish in this life is that you find it too.
Miyuki lowers another inch towards the floor.
Jang looks back at Miyuki for a while, then he sneers, shaking his head.
Jang
You're not an airbender, Miyuki. No matter how much you pretend to be.
Jang once again turns around and walks out of the sanctum. Miyuki sighs, then she closes her eyes and lifts up into the air again.
Miyuki
Ommmmmmmm…
We cut to Jang sitting in the shadow of a grand pillar. Tears stream down his cheeks and he rubs his hands over them, trying to wipe it away.
Song approaches from behind a corner and looks down at Jang with disappointment.
Song
Brother, I'm going to please ask you to request next time before you enter the sanctum.
Jang looks up at Song with sad anger.
Jang
I'm not your brother.
Then he stands up and walks away, but Song follows.
Song
We're merely cut from the same-
Jang interrupts Song by slamming him against the wall by his neck.
Jang
What did you do to her?
Song
(Choking) My good fellow-
Jang
What did you people do to my best friend?! You carved it out of her like pulp from a melon!
Song
Please…
Jang watches Song suffer for a moment, then he lets go of him and shakes his head.
Jang
I don't even know who she is…
Song catches his breath.
Song
The Avatar came to us in her hour of need. Perhaps you can relate to that?
Jang
Oh, I see what you're saying. I see. (Still unraveling) You know what's most sick about all this? You think you helped her! You think she's better off now than she was before!
Song
She was in pain. I hope you, the man who claims to be her best friend, can understand this.
Jang grits his teeth, eyes tearing up again. Then he blasts Song into the wall with airbending.
Jang
You have no idea what's really going on!
Song reels over and coughs, before looking up at Jang.
Song
Please. Do not attack me in the sacred temple.
Jang
(Narrows his eyes) You know what I think about your temple?
Jang walks over to an ancient mural and undoes his pants. We cut to Song, who winces as he hears the stream hitting the floor. Then the camera pans up to the mosaic of an ancient airbending Avatar, who is watching the situation unfold.
We cut to Jang sitting on a rock outside the temple. He is attempting to meditate, but he eventually peeks out of one eye.
The group of bearded men are all glaring at him with disdain. In response, Jang rolls his eyes and gets up.
Jang walks around the brook which surrounds the temple. The brook leads to a waterfall at the edge of the cliff. On the other side is a meadow full of trees.
Moments later, Jang sees Miyuki hovering towards the branches of a tall tree.
We cut to a closer shot. A squirrel frog jumps in surprise as Miyuki reaches the branch, then it scrambles away in fear.
Miyuki pays it no mind and grabs an apple off of the branch, taking a bite.
Jang watches all of this, but as soon as Miyuki turns toward him, his eyes dart away. He looks down at his own hands for a while. Then Miyuki hovers into frame, sitting cross legged in the air, chomping on her apple.
Miyuki
They tell me you urinated in the temple.
Jang can't help but smile deviously.
Miyuki
So, you really are in there.
Jang
(Surprised) Is that what you think of me?
Miyuki takes another bite of the apple.
Miyuki
Before this mission, before everything… You were just… That rude boy on the shore.
Jang looks up at Miyuki and smiles warmly, but the expression becomes complicated.
We hear the waves roll in. Then we cut to Koakono beach, many years ago. A 20 year old Miyuki is sitting in the foamy water, sobbing deeply.
We cut to a close up of the tide, rolling back out. Miyuki bends some water out of it and forms a sharp ice dagger. Then she holds the dagger to her wrist.
A 22 year old Jang suddenly cries out to her.
Jang
Don't do it!
Miyuki turns around in surprise.
We cut back to Jang in the present. He looks into Miyuki's eyes. She looks back and she almost lands on the floor, but she stops herself, diverting her eyes from him. He returns the favor.
Beat.
Miyuki
I know it may not seem like it, but I am glad to see you.
Jang
Yeah? You could have fooled me.
Miyuki
It's complicated. You're an attachment, and I don't really have those anymore.
Jang shakes his head, then he looks over at her.
Jang
I can't believe you still carry all that guilt. When are you gonna let it go, Miyuki?
Miyuki
I can't let it go. It's the only thing that's- (Pause) …I must atone for my actions.
Jang looks confused and a little bit creeped out, but he says nothing.
Miyuki
Tell me what happened… With the prince.
Jang
Really?
Miyuki nods. Jang rubs his hands across his face, then he looks to the side in remembrance.
Jang
I flew by night, landing on a servant vessel headed for the Capitol. I pretended I was like all the others…
We fade to the sun behind the grand temple. As time passes, the sun gradually creeps to the side until the temple completely eclipses it.
Jang
-But he didn't want to.
We cut back to Jang, who looks down with hurt in his eyes.
Jang
Kato felt like all I had done was manipulate him his whole life. Which is just… (Tears up) I cared for that boy! I protected him! (Sniffles) But in the end, he decided to follow his own path… And I have to accept that.
We cut to Miyuki, who looks down at Jang with pity.
Miyuki
I'm sorry.
Jang
Ah! (Waves his hand. Pause) I still think Yamani talked him into it.
We see a close up of Miyuki's eyes. She blinks.
Miyuki
Yamani?
Jang
(Chuckles) This bizarre woman who followed us to the library. Maybe an orphan or something… She was from my hometown.
Miyuki
I see…
Jang
Actually… She reminded me of you a bit. (Looks at Miyuki) Same crazy hair.
Suddenly, a bit of antsy music creeps in.
Miyuki
Do you know what happened to this 'Yamani'?
Jang
(Shakes his head) Last I heard, they hatched some cockamamie scheme to save the princess. More of a suicide mission, really.
Miyuki looks down, processing this, then she looks at Jang, while floating ever lower to the ground.
Miyuki
Jang… Do you remember the night before you left?
Jang
Of course. It was the last time I saw you.
Miyuki
Do you remember what we did?
Jang
(Confused) Yes… We came up with the plan I was just talking about…
Miyuki
No. What we did after that.
Jang furrows his eyebrows.
Jang
What do you mean?
Miyuki
What did we do after?
Jang
(Gulp) …We made love.
Miyuki nods. Jang continues to look up at Miyuki.
Jang
And? (Then he understands)
Miyuki
I was pregnant.
Jang looks away. He can't face her.
Miyuki
Nine months later, I gave birth to a daughter.
Jang stands up, shaking his head.
Jang
No. No.
Miyuki
And I named her Yamani.
Jang
No!
Miyuki
And as soon as she could speak, she wouldn't stop asking question after question after question.
Jang turns around in a state of shock.
Jang
It was her. It had to be! I can't believe it! (Breathing shakily) I have a daughter!
Suddenly, Jang almost unintentionally sends out a spiritual signal. We see it emanate from his heart and travel across the air like a wind chime.
On the other side of the world, Yamani is with Shira on the island of dragons.
The wind chime is heard again, and the spiritual signal hits Yamani like a ton of bricks. She inhales sharply.
We cut to Yamani in the present, sitting across from Jang. The momentous music reaches its peak.
And Yamani exhales.
Kato then slowly turns and looks at Yamani in surprise.
Kato
Your mom is Avatar Miyuki?
Yamani
No. (Looks at Kato) Not since she left.
Kato looks down and nods. Then we cut back to Jang. He takes another carrot and munches on it.
Beat.
Ziri
I already knew all this. What happened next?
We cut to Miyuki floating through the various rooms of the temple. Jang is following closely behind her on foot, shouting his lungs out.
Jang
Not one message, not one sliver of communication for twenty years! And don't tell me 'It was the Capitol!' You could have found a way!
Miyuki
You were on an important mission.
Jang
IT WAS FOR YOU!
Miyuki keeps hovering forwards, and Jang keeps following her.
Jang
But you appreciate nothing! You run away from everyone who comes near you! You abandoned your daughter!
Miyuki
We have that in common.
Jang furrows his brow in anger, then he takes out his staff and bends a wave of air in Miyuki's direction. Miyuki turns back in surprise.
Then time stops.
Miyuki flicks her hand to redirect the wind, but she tears it in two. The air ripples out like a sonic boom and all the windows shatter.
The gust sends Jang sliding across the tile floor with such force that he blacks out upon hitting the wall.
Moments later, he opens his eyes to see Miyuki hovering above him, holding his glider.
Miyuki
So… Will you try it with me?
Jang sighs, then he rubs his head, groaning in pain. He nods reluctantly.
We cut to Jang and Miyuki back in the temple. She has taken him back to the inner sanctum. Jang is sitting on the floor, while Miyuki hovers to the side.
Jang & Miyuki
Ommmmmmmmmm… Ommmmmmmmmmmm… (Continues)
This goes on for a while, and as it does, the camera slowly zeroes in on Jang, boxing him in. Then arrives a sudden moment where he can't take it anymore. He opens his eyes.
Jang
I can't do this.
Miyuki
Jang…
Jang stands up and dusts himself off.
Jang
Come on. You know this is never gonna work.
Miyuki
Stop.
Jang
I can't do this! I can't just be here with you and my own thoughts!
Miyuki
(Shades of annoyance) Why not?
Jang
Because it's too painful! Don't you understand?! Please tell me I didn't waste twenty years degrading myself in the company of those vile people! Tell me I didn't waste twenty years without you.
Miyuki closes her eyes and shakes her head.
Miyuki
You did what you thought was right. That's all that matters.
Jang
Not to mention, I let this become of you. This joke.
Miyuki looks hurt. She narrows her eyes.
Jang
(Snickers) The Great Miyuki! She found peace in the scribblings of a savage! The Empire is laughing at you.
Miyuki
(Shrugs) It doesn't bother me.
Jang
You know what? (Brief pause) Maybe I shouldn't have stopped you all those years ago.
Miyuki blinks. Then she slowly turns towards Jang.
Jang
Yeah! Maybe you had the right idea. You clearly don't want to be the Avatar, so why don't you step aside and let the next one take over?
We cut to a close up of Miyuki.
Miyuki
The day I die, the Empire will find every earthbending baby they can and put them to the dagger. Is that what you really want?
We cut back to Jang, who hadn't considered this.
Jang
…You're right. (Calm) You're right. But it only proves my point.
Miyuki
Hmm?
Jang turns and walks out of the room.
Miyuki
Jang. Stop.
Jang stops, but he doesn't turn around.
Miyuki
Don't chase this thing to the bitter end.
We see the back of Jang's head. He stands there, processing this for a moment. Then he walks out of the room and out of Miyuki's sight.
She looks at the empty doorway for a while, before she closes her eyes and ascends higher into the air.
Miyuki
Ommmmmmmmm…
We cut to Song in the hallway, mopping up the mess Jang made. Jang walks by Song in a huff.
Song
Be well, brother.
A moment passes, then Jang comes back into frame and kicks Song's bucket, spilling the soapy water all over the floor. He turns around and then walks back out of frame.
Song sighs. He picks the bucket back up and resumes mopping, and soon his face is just like it was before.
We fade to the Kamakoi outpost near the grand temple.
Inside, Soldier 1 is rubbing his red, peppery eyes. Then he blinks several times.
Soldier 1
Hey! I can finally see again.
We pan across to Soldier 2, who is rolling gauze carefully over the left side of his face.
Soldier 1
Who's gonna fish Sokua out of the lake?
Soldier 2
Come on… (Looks at Soldier 1) You think that poor bastard is still alive?
Soldier 1 shrugs. Suddenly, the door bursts open. Guess who?
Soldier 2
No! Not you again!
Jang shuts the door behind him and walks across the room towards the cowering soldiers. S1 dives behind the table and starts chucking cabbages at Jang.
Jang
Oh, please!
Jang air slices the cabbages in two and continues forward until he gets to the table and sees a half finished scroll. He picks it up.
Jang
'Report number seven hundred and thirteen. She remains in the temple like always. Can I be reassigned, please?' (Smirks and continues reading) 'Report number seven hundred and fourteen. A crazy air pushing maniac just broke in here and assaulted us. He threw Sokua in the lake. Can we get some backup?' (Laughs, then he tilts his head in mocking sympathy) Aw, poor soldiers…
Jang crumples up the scroll and walks closer to the two, who retreat.
Jang
Your messages have been intercepted, that's how I found you two. Well, you three. (Glances out the window towards the lake)
S1
Somebody help us!
Jang
Hey! Relax! I'm not gonna hurt you.
S1 and S2 glance at each other.
S1
So what do you want?!
Jang
I'm gonna do something your superior officers don't have the guts to do.
S2
Huh?!
Jang
I'm gonna reassign you. (Jang stuffs the scroll into S2's mouth) The Avatar is no threat to the Empire. In fact, she might as well be dead. You can go home now.
S2 and S1 look at each other, both waiting for what might happen next. Then they sigh in relief as Jang steps away and out of the room. He shuts the door behind him.
We cut to Jinhai, in the present, the next morning. She is sleeping soundly in bed.
Then we cut to Muzo's gray, petrified face, before a mound of dirt is bent on top of him. All of the volunteers are getting buried as a sad stringed instrument plays in the background.
Tang is standing in front of his people, looking properly mournful.
Tang
This morning, I stand here basking in the freedom that these brave volunteers paid for. And they paid dearly. Let us all remember the sacrifice made by- (Holds up note) Sha Rong, Ulo the Smith, Muan, Gansek the Third, Muzo-
Tang's voice fades to the background as we cut to Yamani and Ziri, standing in the audience. They both have complicated expressions on their faces. The camera pans down to their hands, held together.
Then we see Jang, standing off to the side of the amphitheater. He walks away from the proceedings and approaches the giant hole in the center of town. He peeks over the edge and his eyes go wide with interest. Then he hears Kato approach from the side.
Kato
I bet that warms your heart.
Jang looks over at Kato, then he looks back down the hole, before shrugging.
Jang
I wish I had been here to see it.
We cut to a close up of the soldiers, bloody and contorted at the bottom of the pit.
Jang
I told you we have the same goals.
Kato
Offense versus defense… They came to our house.
Jang
I see… And this is your house?
Kato pauses, then he looks at Jang, nodding.
Kato
Yeah. I like it here.
Jang
…Then I'm happy for you.
Kato
(Narrows his eyes) Really?
Jang
Yes. Really.
Kato looks at Jang and his expressions softens. Then he snaps out of it.
Kato
Tang is going to want to meet you. You're a great fighter and he could use that.
Jang
Well, I suppose I should get a taste of being used, huh?
Kato looks at him with a smile, then he nods.
We cut to a close up of the smokeables burning up in Tang's bone pipe. He takes a deep inhale, then he fills the screen with gray smoke.
Tang
Come in.
We hear Kato struggle, and the stone door slowly lifts up and opens. Kato lets go and walks into Tang's office, breathing heavily.
Tang
Hey, you got it this time!
Kato nods and Tang pats him on the back, hard. Kato then sees the pendant hanging off of Tang's neck.
Kato
Are you going to tell me what it says, now?
Tang
Huh? (Looks down, holding up the amulet) Oh, this.
Kato
Yeah. You told me you would share your secrets after we won.
Tang narrows his eyes.
Tang
Have we won?
Kato raises his eyebrow.
Tang
Kato, this was just the first battle. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Kato
(Repeating in confusion) The first battle? (Then he flashes a sly smile) Did you really crack the code?
Tang chuckles, patting Kato on the arm before he looks across the room.
Tang
Who's your friend?
Kato turns around to look at Jang, who steps inside.
Kato
This is Jang. Back in the Capitol, he was kind of like my advisor.
Tang
Huh… (Sizes Jang up) An airbender advising the Kamakoi prince. That explains a few things… (Impressed) Nice to meet you, Jang.
Jang
(Proudly) And you as well, Emperor Tang.
Tang outstretches his hand.
Tang
Put 'er there.
We cut to a close up of Tang's hand. Jang reaches out and shakes it.
TO BE CONTINUED…