Chapter Text

INT. PROBENDING ARENA BACKSTAGE

KORRA and BOLIN run down a hallway.

KORRA

(to BOLIN)

Watch out, don't let Amon get you one on one.

(to herself)

Blood-bending! Every time I fought him I felt slow, hampered. I thought it was fear, but it was him using his power! Controlling the blood in my body just like Tarrlokina. I can't let him control anyone again.

Then KORRA suddenly freezes mid run as her path takes her in front of a side passage. Her limbs twitch and contort as the sickening sound of blood-bending begins.

AMON

(down the side passage)

And yet when I needed you off that stage you followed so obediently.

BOLIN quickly looks around and sees a stack of earth-bending disks. With a sweep and a punch he shoots one out to skid off the far wall at a steep angle and surprise AMON with a hit. AMON did not expect BOLIN and his power over KORRA drops. BOLIN jumps around the corner for another attack but AMON grabs him out of mid air with his blood-bending power. However, KORRA is now attacking with fire so BOLIN is dropped. AMON has to refocus his efforts now that they are both in view in front of him. He manages to lock KORRA both down but KORRA is able to use her fire breath. AMON throws his arms out to slam KORRA into BOLIN and then the wall as he turns and runs to hide in the maze of hallways and rooms.

KORRA and BOLIN continue their pursuit, moving a little ways apart but always staying within sight of each other. Then KORRA goes through a doorway into a large training room and AMON is instantly upon her in close quarters combat. They exchange punches, kicks, and grabs. Both their powers require a degree of unobstructed movement and neither is letting the other have that. Then KORRA gets pushed back across the floor and even as she rises, fire burning into existence around her fist, she gasps freezes as AMON has managed to get his control over her muscles once more.

AMON rises up to his feet, breathing heavily but exultant behind his mask has he holds out his outstretched hand focused on KORRA. Then there is a noise above him as BOLIN launches himself from the upper floor viewing railing of the practice room. BOLIN comes plummeting down ready to punch AMON's head with all the force in his body, but then AMON thrusts out his other hand and BOLIN's leap is arrested in mid air, revealing that AMON can control two people at once. BOLIN hangs in the air, grunting and convulsing as he struggles to fight against the power controlling him, but it it too much and AMON flings him aside. He hits the wall heavily and falls to the floor even more heavily to groan against the floor.

KORRA is still struggling and fighting with all her might, but she can not break free even as AMON slowly walks up to her. He places his hands on her head and neck in the precise technique for removing bending and she gives what small thrashes she can as small bit of fire spurt out from behind involuntarily clenched teeth. Then she goes still and inhales sharply. AMON releases his hold and KORRA falls forward.

AMON

(visibly exhausted but exultant)

It's done. I have won.

KORRA crawls away and gets back to her wobbly feet. She looks at her trembling hands in horror.

KORRA

(Horrified)

No.

AMON

Your speech today hurt me, even if most will not believe it. But I have destroyed you. I have taken your supporters, your privilege, and your power.

AMON turns to walk away. KORRA throws punch after punch after him but nothing happens; no fire, no water, and no earth. Unbalanced she falls back down to her knees. Her body is barely functioning.

KORRA

(screaming in desperation)

Come back! I'm not afraid of you! Come back and fight me!

AMON

(calmly)

Fight you? Why? You have nothing left for me to take.

Out of nowhere, AMON just barely dodges an earth disk aimed at his head. BOLIN is on his feet and raising up a whole stack of disks like KORRA had demonstrated so many weeks ago. AMON rushes forward as BOLIN begins firing off the projectiles but AMON is not stopped. He gets in close and holds up his hands to seize BOLIN in his blood-bending once again.

BOLIN slowly rises up into the air and this time the blood-bending looks even more painful than before. BOLIN makes choking noises as he is slowly strangled from within.



KORRA

Bolin!

AMON

(to KORRA)

You know, until now I have tried to be merciful. I merely cleansed the corruption from the benders and then let them live. But every time I show restraint my enemies strike back again and again. Well, no more. You have taught me a lesson, and for that much I thank you, Avatar.

AMON continues to crush BOLIN. KORRA gets up and tries to run forward again but her legs fail beneath her. Falling to her knees she punches the air again and again, desperately trying to throw out fire as she screams. Nothing works.

Then, she staggers up for one last hopeless haymaker swing, but in the middle something catches. Time slows as KORRA's clenched jaw loosens. Her fist is still traveling through the air but now her muscles loosen and her palm opens. It is now an air-bender form. In a sudden silence the only sound is her exhaling.

Then time's course resumes as she snaps into the completed motion, a blast of wind rocketing out from around her arm, impacting AMON and BOLIN, blowing them apart and sending them tumbling in two directions.

AMON

(Raising up from the floor, now with fear in his eyes)

Impossible.

KORRA stands up on legs that are growing stronger by the moment. She stares down at her arms in wonder.

KORRA

(whisper)

Nothing to left to take. Freedom from fear. Air.

AMON manages to get up but KORRA swings into an expertly practiced air-bender move and sends him flying out into the hallway and against a wall. He can not even see her attacks before they land and has no way to block against them. KORRA steps out into the hallway and her vision is beginning to blur with a rising white glow, even as she raises her hands to fling AMON aside again. AMON manages to find his feet and he raises his hands up in his blood-bending form.

KORRA is held still by the blood control once again. She is trapped, but she breathes in again and closes her eyes. She opens them again and she is standing on the aurora road in the infinite night. Here she can move smoothly. She takes a step forward into the infinity before her as she has every time before, but then stops. She turns around and sees the power that has been right behind her all along. The other end of the aurora road is only a few feet away behind her and at its terminus is giant glowing colossus that looks exactly like KORRA, made of shadow and mystery and fury.

The giant's eyes shine blue and blazing bright arcane symbols stretch across her chest and abdomen. This is her true avatar power, and held in those colossal hands is a huge sphere of shining energy a blue so bright it is white, right at level with the aurora path that looks like tiny line before the astral giant. KORRA takes the few steps in the right direction and reaches out to touch the sphere of light that towers above and below her.



EXT. OUT IN THE BAY - DAY

Republic City is in the distance as across the long expanse of ocean a breeze suddenly picks up at once, smoothing the bits of choppy water into a unified direction.



EXT. MOUNTAINS ABOVE REPUBLIC CITY.

A rising wind sweeps across the pine forests, lifting a fine dusting of snow into the air.



EXT. REPUBLIC CITY STREET NEAR REFINERY - DAY

ASAMI, MAKO and BUMI are moving along the street with smoke billowing up behind them from the burning refinery. Then the angle of the rising smoke changes as it is pushed by a rising breeze. Dust and debris begins to slowly move around their feet. All the flags and banners are flapping towards the stadium



INT. PROBENDING STADIUM BACKSTAGE

KORRA stands in the hallway, her eyes still closed. AMON is before her, his hands firmly held before him, using his power to control her body like a puppet. He is panting.

AMON

So, I missed one of your four elements. It doesn't matter! You can't bend without being able to move and I won't miss twice.

AMON takes a single step forward and then KORRA opens her eyes. Her eyes shine with the burning, blinding, blue-white energy. At her side where her arms are restrained, one finger makes a single twitch. Instantly, the entire hallway is blasted by a swirling chaos of wind like an entire hurricane concentrated within four walls. AMON is thrown back, bashed and bounced between walls, ceiling and floor. KORRA is released from his hold but stands firm within the chaos.

AMON gets to his feet, barely holding his own against the blasting wind that pushes him back, his feet braced against the wall at the end of the hallway below the window there.

AMON

(screaming out fury against the tornado)

You can't stop my revolution! Even the Avatar is just one girl!

KORRA

(Her voice reverberates with the sound of a hundred other people all speaking the same words at the same time)

Yes. One. I am the Avatar and I, am, one.

KORRA's eyes shine even brighter as she brings her hands together before her. The light is becoming blinding. Then she thrusts her arms out, palms flat towards the walls.



EXT. PROBENDING STADIUM

A large section of the stadium roof and second floor instantly explodes outwards into an explosion of splinters, blasted apart by the force of the air within. AMON flys back across the boardwalk in front of the stadium. He lands on something that cushions his impact and rolls the rest of the way to a halt in the open space. Behind him, a blinding lance of blue light burst up into the sky from the center of the exploded stadium roof.



INT. VARIOUS AVATAR TEMPLES

In distant temples of the four nations, the eyes of Avatar statues and paintings begin to glow. The same happens in the small, squashed shrine in Republic City where an old lady is startled from her prayer by the eyes of all three statues starting to shine.



EXT. PROBENDING STADIUM

AMON slowly raises himself up from the planks below, his hood pushed back off his head. Panicked people come running out of the stadium, but the stop when they see the wind pick up again. Up above in the ruined upper floors KORRA moves her arms in swirling motions as she walks forward, the wind whipping around her. Then as she reaches the edge where a wall once stood, she leaps down cushioned by a tornado that forms below her. Eyes burning with light she lands on the ground level and walks in the direction of AMON who braces against the wind.

KORRA

(in the multitudinous Avatar voice)

He who named himself Amon, you are a fraud! You have abandoned balance in pursuit of vengeance and violence and lies!

AMON is terrified beyond all measure. His eyes are wide and darting behind his mask. He tries to use his blood-bending powers on KORRA but her eyes pulse slightly brighter and the hold breaks off her. Before him, KORRA slowly raises an open palmed hand. In his fear, AMON lashes out. He flings out his arms in the blood-bending forms and two of the fleeing civilians from the stadium are dragged over to be held in front of him. The rest of the crowd gasps and screams.

KORRA flicks her hands and the two human shields are flung away, the air swirling and gently landing them on opposite benches. In the same attack, AMON is blasted back. The mask is knocked off his face and rolls to a halt beside him on the boardwalk near the railing. AMON rises up once again and now the crowd can see that he does bare some resemblance to TARRLOKINA.

The fury on KORRA's face is deepening and her limbs are trembling. She moves into the air-bending motions again as the wind compacts around her into a violent swirling ball. Slowly she rises up into the air, held aloft in the heart of the orb. AMON looks over at his mask lying on the ground but then back at KORRA rising before him. Panicked, he bursts into water-bending techniques, raising up whips of water from the ocean behind him which turn into blades of ice in the air as they slice towards KORRA. The attacks hit the edge of the swirling air and are torn apart, shredded and flung away as a gentle hail of ice. AMON tries again, gathering up a great jet of water to launch at her. KORRA raises her hands to stop the attack as it races forward and it is whipped to mist by blasts of wind.

The power of this state is having a now visible toll on KORRA. Her limbs are trembling and her chest heaves in exertion as sweat beads on her skin. However, AMON is much worse and is backed against the edge of the boardwalk. He gathers up another mass of water from the bay below to use as his last attack, but then he looks to the side at the growing crowd trapped and forced to watch this display that had cut off their escape route. As a last gambit he forms the water into deadly ice spikes and launches a hail of them at the civilians as he jumps backwards off the railing into the ocean. As he predicted, KORRA darts to the side and blocks the attack, protecting the innocents.

KORRA can no longer maintain the swirling ball of air so she sinks to the ground as she moves to the edge of the boardwalk, watching AMON race away skimming on the surface of the water. KORRA raises her hand and the wind concentrates around her again, ready to take AMON down even at this distance. But the her expression of ancient fury softens and she lowers her hand.

The light fade from her eyes and KORRA sags, the exhaustion catching up with her. The crowd from the stadium slowly gathers around her in a wide circle. They are lost and disoriented, their leader having just reveled himself to be exactly what he preached against. No one resist much as the group led by MAKO, ASAMI, and BUMI pushes in. From the other side BOLIN manages to fight his own way out.

MAKO

What happened? Where's Amon?

KORRA gestures vaguely to the distance.

ASAMI

You let him go?

BOLIN

Wait, wouldn't that the same mistake Aang made? You said he let Bloody Yakon go and then that mobster raised his kids to do all this?

KORRA

I'm... I'm not sure it was a mistake to give someone a choice, even if they end up choosing wrong.

She looks at the huge and growing crowd of citizens surrounding her.



EXT. SPEEDBOAT ON THE OCEAN

A single craft races through the smooth open ocean. AMON and TARRLOKINA are the only ones on this small fast boat. AMON is driving, touching his face from time to time missing the mask. TARRLOKINA is in the back, now unrestrained though she rubs her bruised wrists.

TARRLOKINA

(defeated and weary)

Where are you taking me, Noatok? Or should I still call you Amon even in exile?

AMON

(nostalgically)

Noatok. Huh, I'd almost forgotten my own name. And I'm not taking you, Tarrlokina, we are going together. Fate caused us to collide, but you are still my sister. Our father's cruelty left its print on you but I still have hope I can bring you back to the light. I have to imagine you were still working for the people in your own way.

TARRLOKINA

(Idly looking through the hastily packed bags)

Yes, suppose I was.

(She spots one of the Equalist electric gloves and looks at AMON's back)

AMON

(beginning to be caught up in his own rhetoric)

Our father was a monster. He tried to raise us as weapons, as criminals. But we both resisted; forged our own paths. And look at what each of us managed; starting from nothing! Imagine the two of us working together! The revolution is worldwide, I can start again, and I am sure you will come to see what I'm fighting for.

TARRLOKINA quietly puts on the electric gauntlet and slowly reaches over to unscrew the gas-cap to the boat's fuel tank. She holds the glove over the open hole.

TARRLOKINA

Together, just like old times.

AMON is still looking forward and a small tear starts to form in his eye. It could be from emotion or it could be from the wind and sea-spray. From behind him there is the sound of an electric zap.

The explosion rolls out over the empty ocean.



REPUBLIC CITY, VARIOUS LOCATIONS

The city is starting to get back to normal, even if only slightly. The police are in the streets again, Led by LIN, who has an equally grumpy MAKO helping her out. Even as the Amon banners come down it is a subdued atmosphere. Everyone knows that the army is still coming to officially retake the city.

KORRA

(on the radio)

People of Republic City, I know you're all afraid right now. You don't know what's going to happen next, and neither do I. But I can promise you, I will call for a general amnesty for all nonviolent acts committed during the Equalist occupation. We can begin to work at stitching this country back together. Because Amon was right, there are problems. But he was wrong, hate and fear are not the answer. Together, we can hope to find balance.

BOLIN

(on the radio)

That was Avatar Korra! Now, next we have someone from city hall coming on to 'spread some more calming propaganda'. Wait, that bit was written in pencil, I'm not sure I was supposed to read that out loud.

The United Republic Army is moving up the coastal road towards Republic City. The people of the city come out to watch but they are afraid of what this will bring. BUMI and the remaining three councilors are in the street, ready to welcome the incoming army, but he hangs back as he sees KORRA walk forward. KORRA is beaten and dejected but she advances alone, placing herself on the empty bridge between the populace of the city and the incoming army. Then she sees that TENZIN is at the head of the army. They both breath a weary sigh of relief and happiness.



INT. SATO INDUSTRIES OFFICE

ASAMI sits in a huge office decorated with the Sato Industries symbol, pouring through documents. She drops the papers and puts her head in her hands.



INT. COUNCIL HALL

TENZIN stands in the council chamber that is now absolutely stuffed with people. He waves his hands and manages to get a few words out above the crowd.

TENZIN

When the first election for a new democratic government takes place we will have-!

He is instantly drowned out by a new eruption of noise.



AIRTEMPLE ISLAND - OVERCAST DAY -

KORRA is sitting with a HEALER who levitates softly glowing water to slowly move over her back. Then the HEALER returns the water to its containers and sadly shakes her head.

Now KORRA is outside in the air-bending practice octagon. She moves through the forms, with the soft breeze now swirling and gusting at her command. Then she smoothly transitions to an earth-bending form but the ground does not move.

Inside a nearby building, looking out at KORRA, are the rest of her friends.

TENZIN

Is she still...?

HEALER

Her air-bending is unlocked, but whatever Amon did to the other elements is beyond our current medical knowledge. This is either something very new or something very old. The good news is that the damage is only to her body, the future Avatar incarnations will not be effected.

Everyone falls quiet as KORRA enters the room.

MAKO moves forward

MAKO

Look, there are other experts. We can try more things.

KORRA shakes her head and gently walks by him.

Bolin comes up behind her and gives her a hug.

BOLIN

Just remember that everyone still loves you.

KORRA

(with a slight sad smile)

Yeah, I know.

ASAMI

Korra. I just need to thank you for...for absolutely everything. You're a hero, to me and to the entire world.

KORRA

Thanks. I...I'm just going need some time. Thank you all.

KORRA exits.



INT. AIRTEMPLE

As KORRA leaves the room the smile melts from her face. She slowly walks through the halls until she comes to the corridor with the long line of painted Avatars. She traces her fingers over all the symbols of their accomplishments, lingering on the depiction of Avatar AANG. Then she feels the freshly painted symbol by her own portrait. It is a equality sign symbolizing the Equalist crisis.

A faint smile comes to the edges of her mouth. Then she looks on at the blank spaces that follow her portrait and her face goes dark again.



EXT. AIRTEMPLE ISLAND CLIFF

KORRA walks alone along the rough edges of the island. At the edge of a cliff over the sea KORRA finally begins to cry. A tear falls down through the air to the crashing waves below.

Then the wave of anguish ebbs a bit. KORRA manages to control her breath even as the lack of hope is still crushing her. She sits down at the edge of the cliff and tries to find her center though this despair.

Legs and a saffron cape step into view behind her. KORRA notices out of the corner of her eye.

KORRA

Tenzin, I just...I can't right now. Leave me alone.

AVATAR AANG

You are never alone.

KORRA looks up in astonishment to see the apparition of AVATAR AANG standing behind her. In the island of peace beyond despair she has connected to herself as KORRA not as the Avatar.

KORRA

(Shocked)

Aang? How...

(laughing at a bitter joke)

Great, now I hear my past lives, after I can't do the job.

(almost whispering)

I failed. After everything, I let him ruin me.

AANG

You have not failed. Everything what is done cannot be undone, but the cycle is filled with both harm and healing.

KORRA

(shaking her head)

I heard it in all their voices. No one can help me.

AANG

(with a gentle smile)

No, they can't. But you can help yourself. When we reach our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change. Here, in your loss, you have now reached the first stages of true understanding. You will go on, and you will be amazing.

KORRA

(yelling, screaming, and sobbing)

How do you know?! I...I've lost... How do you know I can do it?

AANG

(gains the full the thunderous Avatar Voice)

Because you have done it before.

Beyond AANG more figures fade into view. One after another they step into existence, men and women, dressed in different costumes and uniforms. These are the past lives of the Avatar and there are hundreds of them from across ten thousand years. They are on all sides of KORRA, standing on the stones and in the air with equal ease. KORRA backs to the very edge of the cliff.

ALL AVATARS

(In perfect unison)

You have lived a thousand lives, died a thousand deaths. There is always a choice to give up. But you have never chosen that. The world is often dark, and full of chaos, but sometimes, just sometimes, there are miracles.

From the last to the first, the Avatar's eyes begin to shine with blue light. AANG's eyes begin to glow and he places his spectral hand against KORRA's head even as he begins to fade away and drift through her. At that moment of contact there is a brief flash of yellow tinted light. The next Avatar, dressed in red, drifts forward passing his hand through her stomach as he does with another flash of light, slightly red. Then the green dressed woman follows, moving and fading even faster, striking KORRA's chest. The past Avatars are now rushing forward, a lightning stream of ghosts, all touching KORRA somewhere as they pass and vanish.

Then the last is gone and KORRA inhales sharply. She staggers slightly and her foot slips back on the loose, damp rocks. KORRA falls out of view off the cliff in complete silence.

The cliff top is empty. Then the wind blasts into existence and KORRA rises up on a massive, swirling pillar of water as the main theme plays. Her eyes are blazing with the bright blue-white light. She thrusts out her hands and the top of the cliff splinters, flying apart to form a smooth, perfect platform. Landing, her arms swirl and the water rises behind her and sweeps into massive floating streams that circle until they burst apart. Then she shoots out massive blasts of fire, bigger than anything we have ever seen that burst out into the air like burning mountains. Then she stamps her foot.



INT. AIRTEMPLE

The rest of the cast looks up from their places in the room as the shutters rattle and shake in the sudden gusts. Even as they take their first step, the ground shudders. They get to the window and see the flash of the massive plumes of fire. They look on with amazement and wonder.



EXT. AIRTEMPLE ISLAND CLIFF



KORRA draws her arms up above her head and the ocean rises up in a massive wave that crashes against the cliff, thundering and throwing up spray. As KORRA lowers her arms the glow fades from her eyes. She is breathing somewhat heavily but it is slow and controlled. Standing on the cliff she looks to one side to see the lights and towers of Republic City shining out over the bay. Then she slowly looks to the side and her view slides of to the coast that stretches down forever and ever, off into the invisible distance of the massive world.

-------

The next in my series of Legend of Korra screenplay adaptations can be found here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/8212456/chapters/18820813