[Saito's body is floating around the rivers of the Spirit World, his body scarred from Kiro's blast… but then someone picked him up. Saito is woken by the drop of water to find himself in the Tree of Life, bandaged and covered with acupuncture needles. He spots the same person who saved him meditating while watching the bonfire. Saito weakly stands up, but the individual spotted him and speaks to him gently.]

[Female voice] I don't think it is a good idea kid. You're barely healing from your wounds.

[Still disoriented, Saito stumbles back, clutching his side. He realizes he's not alone in this sacred place. The woman, her face illuminated by the bonfire's warm glow, moves with a calm, almost ethereal grace. She wears simple robes with intricate, spirit-themed embroidery, and her aura radiates a peaceful yet powerful energy.]

[Saito] Wh-who are you? How did I get here?

[The woman gives him a gentle smile and gestures for him to sit back down.]

[Woman] You could say I'm… a guardian of this place. I found you drifting in the Spirit World. It's not often someone arrives here so close to the Tree of Life, especially in such a state. You're lucky I came along when I did.

[Saito looks around, taking in the ancient surroundings, his heart heavy with memories of Kiro's betrayal and his own near-death. He finally settles his gaze on the woman, a glimmer of hope mixed with confusion in his eyes.]

[Saito] I… I was trying to stop him. Kiro. He's lost to the darkness, and I couldn't reach him. I thought… maybe if I showed him that he didn't have to go down that path… (pauses, feeling the weight of his failure) But I failed.

[The woman nods, her expression empathetic but resolute.]

[Woman] The path of an Avatar is never easy. Sometimes, the ones we care for most are the hardest to reach. But giving up isn't in your nature, is it?

[Saito looks up, surprised at her words. He notices a gentle light surrounding her, almost as if she's part of the Spirit World itself.]

[Saito] Are you… an Avatar?

[The woman laughs softly, her voice like a melody carried by the breeze.]

[Woman] More like… you in a past life.

[The woman then revealed herself to be Korra]

[Saito's eyes widen as the woman's form shifts, her features becoming more distinct. He recognizes her face from ancient portraits and stories — the strong jawline, the determined yet kind eyes, and the iconic water tribe garb.]

[Saito] (whispering, almost in awe) Avatar… Korra?

[Korra smiles, her presence radiating a sense of warmth and strength.]

[Korra] (nodding) Yeah, it's me. Though, it feels like a lifetime ago. I may be gone from the physical world, but my spirit — and the spirits of all the past Avatars — still linger here. We're part of you now, Saito.

[Saito, overwhelmed, stumbles to his knees. Meeting Korra, one of the most legendary Avatars, is both humbling and daunting. He can feel the weight of responsibility more than ever.]

[Saito] I… I don't know if I'm ready for this. I tried to help Kiro, to make him see the light, but he… he chose darkness. I couldn't stop him. I failed everyone.

[Korra steps closer, kneeling down beside him, her hand resting on his shoulder. Her touch feels reassuring, grounding him in the moment.]

[Korra] We've all faced darkness in different forms, Saito. I fought enemies who challenged my beliefs, people I thought I could save. Sometimes, they chose their own path, no matter how hard I tried. But being the Avatar doesn't mean you have to be perfect. It means you learn, you grow, and you keep trying.

[Saito looks up at her, his eyes filled with doubt. But then he sees a vision of Kiro destroying Republic City and his friends in mortal danger] Oh no…! Republic City… my friends… they're in danger. [determined] I can't stay here for long… I cannot stay here, while he is causing much destruction… he is a victim of both Xiao Jun's greed and my own ignorance. I need to make things right.

[Korra's expression grows solemn as she watches Saito's determination ignite, his concern for his friends and for Republic City evident in his eyes.]

[Korra] (nodding approvingly) That drive, that need to protect others even when the odds are stacked against you — it's exactly what makes you the Avatar. But, Saito, there's something you need to understand before you go back.

[Saito looks at her, a mixture of urgency and confusion on his face.]

[Saito] What is it?

[Korra rises, and with a wave of her hand, the surroundings shift. The Tree of Life fades, replaced by scenes from Korra's own battles — her struggles against Amon, her fight with Zaheer, her encounters with Kuvira. The images flicker, each one representing a moment of hardship, but also of growth.]

[Korra] The world doesn't just need an Avatar who can fight; it needs one who can heal. You carry the legacy of Raava, the spirit of peace and light. But peace isn't just about stopping your enemies. Sometimes, it's about helping them find their own light. (pauses, then softly) Even if it seems impossible.

[Saito clenches his fists, still haunted by Kiro's betrayal, but Korra's words resonate deeply with him.]

[Saito] (thinking aloud) I… I thought I could save him, reach him somehow. But all I could see was his hatred, his pain. I couldn't break through.

[Korra places a comforting hand on his shoulder.]

[Korra] Don't blame yourself. Kiro has made his own choices, but that doesn't mean he's lost forever. Remember, being the Avatar means walking a path of compassion, even when it feels like the hardest thing in the world. It's not just about fighting the darkness; it's about showing others that there's still a way out of it.

[Saito looks down, absorbing her words. When he looks back up, there's a renewed fire in his gaze.]

[Saito] I'll stop him, but I won't give up on him, either. He's still my friend, even if he's lost right now. And… I'll make sure he sees that there's a path back, if he's willing to take it.

[Korra's smile widens with pride, and she gives him a reassuring nod.]

[Korra] That's the spirit, Saito. Go now — Republic City and your friends need you. Trust in yourself and in the bond you share with Kiro. It might be what saves him in the end.

[Meanwhile at Republic City, Amos and Kiro rally the Red Lotus to start destroying the monuments dedicated to Xiao Jun.]

[Kiro] I will help build a new future!! No more politicians, no more monarchies! We, the Red Lotus, return Republic City to the people! [He then uses Metalbending to update his armor] We will embrace chaos as our path to the future! RISE UP!!!!

[Back at the Spirit World, Korra uses her Energybending to awaken the other elements in Saito.]

[Korra] Go… bring harmony to humanity and spirits… Avatar Saito.

[Saito then fully awakens his Avatar powers and returns to the human world.]

[Amos] BURN IT DOWN! ALL OF IT!!!

[Kiro then uses his Spirit Cannons to destroy many statues of Xiao Jun, which the Red Lotus follow suit.]

[Xaolon, excited] LONG LIVE ANARCHY!!!!

[Baashi and Janek follow suit.]

[Hok, terrified] He's going to kill everyone!

[Zyna] I'll help evacuate civilians, talk sense to him!

[Maya] Come on Hok, we need to stop him.

[Kiro continues to fire many buildings, until Maya stops him]

[Maya] Stop! It's over!

[Kiro] It will be over, when every last one of his followers is dead!! [Maya tries to subdue him but Kiro pins her down effortlessly, but Hok comes to save her, opting to fight them in hand-to-hand.]

[Saito then arrives at Republic City to save Hok and Maya from Kiro's wrath, much to their shock and surprise]

[Hok, surprised] Saito?! But how?!

[Maya noticing Raava's sigil] He is the Avatar.

[Kiro] Impossible… Raava has already found her real host.

[Saito] We could have built the future together!

[Kiro] I'll build it myself. After I tear down everyone IN MY WAY! [Charges himself against his former best friend, who revealed himself to be the real Avatar.]

[The air between Saito and Kiro grows tense as they stand facing each other amidst the chaos engulfing Republic City. Flames from the wrecked buildings cast eerie shadows on their faces, the destruction mirroring the fractured bond between them. Saito, now fully aware of his role as the true Avatar, stands tall, Raava's light shimmering around him with an otherworldly glow.]

[Saito] (voice steady, with a hint of sadness) Kiro, this isn't the way. We can change the world, but not like this. Not through chaos and destruction.

[Kiro scoffs, a hardened glare in his eyes as he tightens his fists, metal armor clinking with every movement.]

[Kiro] (voice filled with bitterness) I gave you a chance, Saito. I thought you understood the pain, the injustice, the suffering caused by these so-called leaders. But you still cling to their ideals, just like everyone else.

[Saito takes a deep breath, his heart heavy but resolute. He remembers Korra's words — that his duty isn't just to fight but to heal, to bring harmony.]

[Saito] I understand your pain, Kiro. Xiao Jun used us both, he betrayed us. But destroying everything he touched won't undo what he did. Revenge only leaves more scars.

[Kiro's face twists with rage, and he charges forward, metal bending to form a deadly spear in his hands. Saito braces himself, his stance solid as the Avatar state's power flows through him.]

[Kiro] (shouting) Don't pretend to know my pain! You were always the golden one, the chosen one! You never had to fight the way I did!

[They continued to fight, Kiro using Metalbending and the Spirit cannons and Saito using all four elements. Kiro then kept throwing strong punches, and uses a piece of debris to deal heavy blows, which caused Saito to abruptly reconnect with the energy of the universe, therefore activating the Avatar State, which sent Kiro flying. Kiro was speechless of the level of power his former friend has gained after Korra awakened his Avatar powers. He proceeds to overpower Kiro in every way, manipulating the four elements in logic-defying ways, Xaolon, Baashi and Janek tried to intervene the situation, but got overpowered by Saito's Avatar state. Kiro then charges himself while shooting both his blasters before Saito destroys them, ultimately winning their fight.]

[Saito in his Avatar State.] We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Xiao Jun. You have betrayed Republic City and its citizens, [Saito comes back to normal.] and you betrayed... me.

[Kiro, heavily wounded, stands up, while tears come out of his face.]

[Saito, unwilling to kill his former friend, reluctantly banishes him and the Red Lotus from Republic City.] Go. Leave with the Red Lotus, and never come back. You are banished from Republic City.

[Kiro, for a brief moment, looks genuinely shocked and hurt that his former friend would do this to him, with his eyes briefly losing their glow, even remorseful that his actions have led to this. However, his eyes quickly glow once more.]

[Saito] It didn't have to end this way.

[Kiro] This isn't over… Avatar.

[Saito then sees Amos behind Kiro, who reluctantly agrees with their banishment.]

[Amos] Red Lotus, follow me! We will fight for another day.

[And so the Red Lotus followed suit to Amos' orders, while Kiro stayed for a brief moment to see his former best friend before leaving with the Red Lotus. Once they left, Saito then heard the citizens of Republic City praising his bravery, with Hok, Zyna and Maya by his side. Then the scene shifts when Saito visits the quarters in the mines and reminisces the first time he met Kiro.]

[Kiro is placing in his door a poster of Avatar Kyoshi as he admires her.]

[Saito] Hey, Avatar Kyoshi. Nice!

[Kiro] Oh yeah. Well, she's my hero.

[Both] The greatest Avatar that ever lived. [Chuckling]

[Kiro] My name's Kiro by the way.

[Saito] Saito. Pleasure to meet you.

[Kiro] You ever mined Spirit Energy before?

[Saito] No, you?

[Kiro] No. I've heard it's dangerous.

[Saito] I'll tell you what. You watch my back, I promise to watch yours. Deal?

[Kiro] Alright, thanks… Saito. [Both fist pump.]

[Back in the present, Saito stands in the empty quarters, haunted by the memory of simpler days. His fingers trace the worn wall where Kiro's poster of Avatar Kyoshi once hung, now just a faded outline. He closes his eyes, feeling the weight of both the past and the present.]

[Saito] (whispering to himself) Kiro… I wish things could have been different.

[Despite everything that has happened, he can't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Korra's words echo in his mind — that even in the darkest of times, there is still light to be found, and redemption is always possible, even for those who seem lost.]

[Hok, Zyna, and Maya approach, watching Saito in silent respect. Hok speaks up, breaking the silence.]

[Hok] Are you alright, Saito?

[Saito nods, his voice steady but filled with a quiet sadness.]

[Saito] I'll be okay. (pauses) I just… I wish things had been different. That Kiro hadn't chosen this path. But I know now… all I can do is keep moving forward. Keep being the Avatar he once believed in.

[Maya steps forward, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.]

[Maya] You did what you had to, Saito. You gave him every chance. But maybe, someday, he'll remember the friend you were to him.

[Saito looks up, meeting Maya's eyes with a faint smile.]

[Saito] (whispering) I hope so. For now, I have to keep fighting for the world we wanted to protect together.

[Saito then comes to the Heart of the City and uses his powers to heal Spirit vines, which also brought back the spirits, restoring the harmony between both worlds once again.]