[Maya and Saito got off from the rubble]

[Saito coughs, clears throat] I feel like someone dropped a cliff on me. [groans] Where are the others?

[Maya] It seems like Xiao Jun's forces troops took as many prisoners as they could carry. They got Kiro, Zyna and Hok.

[Saito in disbelief] Oh, no.

[Maya] And half of those Red Lotus nutjobs.

[Saito, sighs] Oh no… our proof… it's gone. [Throws the destroyed device away]

[Maya] So, what do we do now?

[Saito] Kiro was right.

[Maya, in confusion] About what?

[Saito] Everything. Look at it. Look around. This is a disaster. It's all my fault. I should have stayed on protocol. And because of my actions, I got you demoted and Kiro is going on a dark path.

[Maya sighs] Listen to me. I really want you to hear this. Are you listening? [Saito silently nodded] I'm better than you.

[Saito] Ok… I get that a bit.

[Maya] I'm better than you in every way, except you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jax. You snuck up to the Spirit World to find the Tree of Life and to bring back harmony to both humanity and spirits.

[Saito, chuckles weakly] Yeah, and how'd that work out?

[Maya] My point is, that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a reason. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices, that are also extremely stupid, and that is what I admire about you the most.

[Saito] First time giving a pep talk? But I got us into this mess, Maya. I don't think hope is enough this time.

[Maya] Hope got us out of worse troubles. You underestimate its power, Saito. You're inspiring. You can envision a better future that no one else can see. And if we ever want to see Hok, Zyna and Kiro, that is the Saito that we need right now. Listen to me. We can do this.

[Saito takes a deep breath, letting Maya's words sink in. The weight of his failures still lingers, but her encouragement ignites a small spark within him. He looks around the ruins, determination slowly replacing his despair.]

[Saito] (nodding) You're right, Maya. We've been through worse. And if there's even a small chance we can get our friends back, I'm not giving up. Not now.

[Maya] (smiling) That's the Saito I know. So, what's the plan?

[Saito] Those trains containing Spirit Energy will be heading back to Republic City. If we intercepted one…

[Maya] Hell yes, I can reroute it. What else do we need?

[Saito] Well, my bold instincts tell me we have to recruit some nutjobs. [Looking at the remaining members of the Red Lotus]

[Maya] I was afraid you'd say that.

[Saito] Uh, Janek, Baashi You in the back. In order to save our captured friends, we have to act now.

[Janek] How about I blast you back to Republic…? [Maya then punches him, which he reacted with a pained grunt] [Saito silently: Damn…] Oh! She punched me in my eye!

[Maya] Everyone, shut up! All of you. Listen to him.

[Saito] Most likely, our friends are being held captive at the top of Xiao Jun's tower. A surprise attack would give us a chance to rescue them.

[Baashi] Impossible. We do not have enough soldiers or a way inside.

[Saito] Maya will get us in, and I will get more troops.

[Janek] Why should we follow you?

[Maya threatens Janek with punching in the face again.]

[Janek, scared as hell, reluctantly accepts] We will follow you.

[Baashi] Attention everyone, prepare for battle. What is our next move?

[Saito, whispering serious] We roll out.

[A Red Lotus member in the distance] What?!

[Maya, whispering] Louder.

[Saito] Let's bend a train and roll out!!!

[The remaining members of the Red Lotus cheer with a mix of adrenaline and reluctance, their morale bolstered by Saito's audacious plan and Maya's fierce determination. The ragtag group begins gathering weapons, supplies, and anything they can salvage from the wreckage to aid in their rescue mission.]

[Maya takes a few steps closer to Saito, watching as he rallies the Red Lotus members with an unexpected blend of charisma and urgency.]

[Maya] (smiling) Well, that was surprisingly effective. Maybe there's a leader hiding in there somewhere.

[Saito] (smirking) Don't get used to it. I'm making this up as I go.

[Maya] (laughs) Aren't we all? But for what it's worth, I think you're doing a pretty damn good job.

[They both share a moment of camaraderie, an unspoken understanding passing between them. They might be an odd team, but they know they can rely on each other. With the plan set and allies—however reluctant—on board, they move forward with steely resolve.]

[Back at Republic City, in Xiao Jun's tower where Kiro, Zyna, Hok, Amos, Xaolon and most of the Red Lotus on their knees.]

[Hok] I don't understand… why are still alive?

[Zyna] Beats me.

[Xiao Jun] Look at this rowdy bunch: the Red Lotus! You know, you guys are tough to find; every trip outside the city, I've been searching for you...

[EVAC] Tracking the miners in the cave led me right to them.

[Xiao Jun] Oh, you captured Xaolon!

[EVAC] It was what you may call… "easy".

[Xaolon, defiantly lashes out] I'M GONNA RIP YOU APART, PIECE BY PIECE, SO THAT YOUR DEATH IS PAINFUL! And you'll regret the day you went...

[Xiao Jun] Ha ha ha ha! You sound ridiculous! It's weird. Oh Amos, what a tragic story you've been: a highly respected military officer, and secretly a traitor.

[Amos] I'm not the traitor. You're the traitor.

[Xiao Jun] Nuh uh. You, all of you, are traitors. You've been working with the Oni to sabotage my expeditions! You're the reason why I haven't brought back spirit energy to Republic City yet.

[Hok] None of that is true!

[Xiao Jun] Oh, trust me, it'll be very true when I'm executing you in front of all of Republic City. Because down here, the truth is what I make it.

[Kiro stands up in defiance of Xiao Jun]

[Xiao Jun] Well well, what's this about?

[Kiro, silently responds] I'm not kneeling in front of you.

[Xiao Jun] Hmm. Feeling like you're the bigger man… are you?

[Kiro] You don't scare me. You wanna know why?

[Xiao Jun] Please…

[Kiro] Because I got nothing left to lose… you took that away from me.

[Xiao Jun] I sure did.

[Xiao Jun knocks out Kiro effortlessly, much to the shock of Zyna, Hok and Amos]

[Zyna] Kiro!!!! Please don't hurt him!

[Xiao Jun] Oh Avatar Kyoshi. [Snatches Kyoshi sticker from Kiro.] Of course you're a fan, Kyoshi was the coolest Avatar! The biggest, the baddest, the toughest! Funny story by the way, on one of my trips, on Kyoshi Island, I bought her fans as trophies for my collection.

[Kiro, furious] She was greater than you'll EVER BE!!!!

[Xiao Jun] I don't know, I'm pretty great. But I can understand why you'd want to wear her sigil over mine. Here [Places sticker on Kiro's chest, let's make sure it doesn't come off. [Then used a torch to scar Kiro's chest to burn the Kyoshi sticker, while the latter screams in pain of the torture, much to the horror of Zyna and Hok and the anger of Amos.]

[Meanwhile, Saito came to Republic City and plans to recruit his former teammates from the mines, as he saw how deep the mines are, he is a little nervous but determined]

[Saito, nervously] Okay. [sighs] [stammers] I can do this.

[Saito then used his Sandbending to create a cloud of sand to float to safety.]

[Sahad] You can't be serious. We just worked 22 shifts without a break! These miners need rest and time to heal their wounds and…

[Gongmen] Xiao Jun wants more Spirit Energy. So get back in the mines before I make you get back in the…

[Saito then summoned a boulder that knocked out Gongmen cold where he stumbled on a arcade machine.]

Who was that? Did you see who that was?

[miner] That can't be him.

[Jax] Is that…?

[Miner] It can't be.

[Jax] Saito?

[Saito] Jax?

[Jax] Is it really you?

[Saito] Yeah, I know I, uh, look a little different.

[Jax] Little? You knocked out Gongmen with a single, but powerful punch.

[Sahad] How is this possible?

[Jin] Xiao Jun told us you died from your race injuries.

[Saito] Xiao Jun is a liar. Look, I know how this will sound coming from me. I was never the most focused miner. But as you can see, everything is different now. [Then used Sandbending to his friends to showcase he has the ability to bend, much to their awe.] I went to the Spirit World and I learned the truth. My friends, we were all born with the ability of bending. and then Xiao Jun, he stole them from us, he took away our ability to make our own decisions, he stole our freedom. But now, I'm offering you your first real choice. You can work a 23rd shift and mine yourself to death, or fight back against Xiao Jun with me. Right now.

[Shen] How are we supposed to do that?

[Layla] We can't fight. We can't bend elements… in other words, we're bendless.

[Saito] What defines a bender is not merely the ability to control the elements. but the spark that resides within your heart. A spark that fuels the will to make our world a better place. And that spark, Xiao Jun can never take from us.

[Jax] There's not enough of us. We need an army.

[Saito] And we have one. Maya is bringing troops. We are not alone in this. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up for ourselves. Stand up for this injustice. I promise you this fight will be worth it. Follow me. Nothing can stop us when we stand together. Together as One!

[The miners cheering in unision as they became inspired by Saito's speech]

[Saito, through a Walkie talkie] Maya, it's time.

[Maya] You got it! Buckle up people… We're going in…

[Maya and the Red Lotus just hijacked a train that goes to Republic City]