Chapter Text

EXT. ANCIENT VILLAGE, DAY

KORRA stands as a new setting slowly fades into sight around her. She stands under an open blue sky amid large gnarled trees.

KORRA

(softly)

Wan.

Then she blinks her eyes and when she opens them WAN stands in her place. WAN steps forward and an archaic walled village comes into view at the top of a hill. He walks inside the village palisade, climbing the steep slope until he arrives at a platform that looks out over the entire hill.

The land around the forested hill is a volcanic wasteland of blackened ground and fire vents. Then the landscape begins to pass by as the hill itself moves. At the foot of the hill, a massive head rises up, showing that the entire grove and village are on the back of a giant turtle.

Suddenly, KORRA is standing behind WAN. No one reacts to her or can see her at all.

KORRA

You lived on the back of a giant turtle?!

WAN

(not looking at her)

It is the only way we humans can survive, and even so we have to hide in the fields of fire. The rest of the land is infested by spirits.

KORRA

Wow. This...was this what the world was like ten thousand years ago? How?

WAN

It's how it's always been. They say there are other human villages out there, protected by the other great turtles. I don't know. Sometimes I think that's just a myth. Maybe this is all there is.

YOUNG MAN approaches, waving to WAN.

YOUNG MAN

Hey, Wan! Come on man, we're going to be late .

WAN follows his friend as they walk down through the village. The path passes down through a little belt of trees and then opens up right at the edge of the "shell" where a crowd of villagers have gathered. WAN and YOUNG MAN join them.

Down on the volcanic plain, a group of hunters are returning, laden with game. They pass by a vent that belches fire at them, but it seems to lick off them. Then a few paces further on the ground rumbles and in front of them, a barrier of fire licks out of a crack. The hunters jump back in surprise, but then they calm themselves, breath deeply and then step forward. As they reach the fire it parts around them.

YOUNG MAN

It looks like only one hunter died to the spirits this time. That's pretty good.

The giant turtle lowers down from a standing position, however there is still a huge vertical gap between the edge of the shell and the ground the hunters stand on. The crowd of villagers begin to turn back, looking up the trail. There is a man in well-spun robes walking down, SAGE KING, flanked by other important looking people.

YOUNG MAN

The Sage King.

The SAGE KING transitions through the meditative hand signs of unlocking his chackras, and them a brief burst of energy ripples around him. Then SAGE KING reaches out to grab a massive carved tree trunk, easily fifty feet long, and lifts it up, lowering it down for the hunters for them to climb up its carved stairs.

SAGE KING

As I master the spiritual energy within myself, so you have mastered the wilds! Welcome back, honored hunters, to the nation guarded by fire!

The hunters deposit their food and it is divided up. WAN frowns as most of the food is taken by the richest few, them getting entire deer. YOUNG MAN returns, eagerly holding a single small game bird.

YOUNG MAN

Awesome! Our neighborhood gets a whole bird! That's the most we've gotten in months.

WAN

(darkly)

Yeah. Awesome.

KORRA is now standing beside him once again, with an identical expression on her face.







EXT. ANCIENT VILLAGE, SAGE KING PALACE, NIGHT

WAN lifts himself up on top of the wall and looks down at the large building at the top of the turtle hill. He jumps down inside the wall.







INT. FOOD STOREHOUSE

WAN sneaks inside. He sees huge amounts of food and riches and begins to shove food into a sack. Then he hears a sound and whips around. SAGE KING is behind him. SAGE KING slowly raises up one hand and touches WAN with one finger.

WAN flies backwards like he was hit by a battering ram.

SAGE KING

(calm)

Wan. I have lived for eight hundred years. This not a fight you can win. Give up now while you still have the chance. Despite your transgressions you may still be allowed to live in peace.

WAN runs, scrambling to get around but the SAGE KING moves with super strength and effortlessly follows WAN's acrobatic movements. WAN finds a flint knife and slashes to hold him back, but SAGE KING blocks it with an open palm and the stone shatters on his skin. The SAGE KING grabs WAN and holds him in an iron grasp.

SAGE KING

So be it. This is your decision.







EXT. ANCIENT VILLAGE, EDGE OF THE TURTLE, DAY

YOUNG MAN

No! You can't exile Wan, it's is a death sentence. No human can survive out there. The spirits will kill him within a day!

SAGE KING

He has broken our law, he cannot be allowed to remain in within our shelter.

WAN is sent down to the volcanic ground beneath the turtle. He coughs amid the smoke and fire from the vents as he stumbles over the ground onto a small outcrop. Then the ground rumbles, and the head of the great turtle lowers to fill the background. A single massive paw reaches out towards WAN.

GREAT TURTLE

(voice from all around)

Humanity has cast you out, but still I will protect you with what little I can do.

The GREAT TURTLE touches two of his claws to WAN's head and chest. Light flashes.

GREAT TURTLE

(slowly)

The energy within you is now changed. Wherever you go you will remain guarded by fire.

The GREAT TURTLE rises back up and slowly moves away. WAN turns and walks off. Now the fire from the vents swirls around him, accepting him.







EXT. SPIRIT WILDS, DAY

WAN wanders through the vibrant yet dangerous forest. Spectral spirits assail him at every turn. He rips down branches to build a fire, only to hear more wailing from the forest. Later, he has managed to construct a torch and as a spirit charges him he manages to push out a flare of fire in its direction, driving it off with a crude precursor of fire-bending.

Time passes and WAN is increasingly dirty and ragged, He eventually sits crouching down by a campfire in the middle of a scorched ring he has made on the ground. Then he raises his head and speaks to the air.

WAN

I was weak and afraid, in a world full of things beyond my understanding. But I survived, and I learned.







EXT. MOUNTAINS, DAY

WAN crawls over the rocks as a long serpent-like red dragon flies over head. The dragon breathes fire and then is joined by a blue dragon who exhales fire and then lands at its side. They both look down to regard WAN.

WAN

(voiceover)

I learned that some beasts were more than beasts.

WAN bows to the dragons and they bow their heads to him.

WAN

(voiceover)

And that they know things humans did not.

Time has passed and the dragons dance in the sky, twisting in sinuous patterns as on the ground WAN copies their movements in the form of martial arts techniques. He lets out gouts of fire that now look like real fire-bending.







EXT. SPIRIT WILDS, DAY

WAN walks through the forest, spirits glimmering between the trees. He gently runs his hand across a tree trunk.

WAN

(voiceover)

Of the spirits, I learned how to live in peace, how to not fight them.

He walks into a clearing of ancient stones where spirits have gathered around. The spirits back away from him and bristle, but WAN forms his hands into a prayer gesture in front of him and bows to the spirits, who seem mollified.

WAN

(voiceover)

And sometimes how to fight them.

The forest shakes with something large rushing towards the clearing. A large spirit bursts out and thrashes around in a blind panic, bashing into trees and screaming spirits with great violence. Several small spirits are about to be trampled when WAN shoots out a wave of fire to shield them. The rampaging spirit charges at WAN but he dodges out of the way and punches out several more fire blasts, driving the rampaging spirit out of the clearing. It disappears into the forest on the far side, smashing off into the distance.

A tall primate-like spirit, SHANSHANG, approaches WAN.

SHANSHANG

Hrmph. I suppose that was well done. We have never seen a human like you before. I shall name you Stinky.

WAN

My name is Wan.

SHANSHANG

Stinky is more accurate.

Flocks of birds fly overhead, following the same direction as the rampaging spirit. WAN looks the way they came from.

WAN

Something in that direction is scaring everything. What do you think it is?

SHANSHANG

(darkly)

Conflict.

WAN steps forward in the direction everything is fleeing from but then he turns back to see all the spirits of the clearing are moving in the other direction.

WAN

Where are you going? Don't you want to see what's causing this?

SHANSHANG

It is danger, what more is there to know? What good will come of your curiosity?

WAN hesitates, but then continues walking out into the forest.







EXT. OPEN VALLEY, DAY

Animals and spirits rush past WAN in a fearful stampede. Then he crests a rise and sees the massive abstract shapes of RAAVA, white and blue, and VAATU, black and orange, tangled in a roiling conflict. Both the mirrored great spirits grapple each other with long tendrils, smashing the landscape as their great strength pushes back and forth. RAAVA grips tighter and VAATU wails in distress. As they roll, they look like a YinYang symbol.

WAN moves closer and then has to raise a wall of fire as the battle almost rolls over him. VAATU wails again.

WAN

(shouts)

Stop! You two spirits are destroying the valley! Why are you fighting?

RAAVA

You are not in your place, human.

VAATU

Please, help me! She has caught hold of me and will not let me free!

RAAVA

Silence.

VAATU

She has tormented me for ten thousand years! In her grasp nothing ever changes, only this constant battle.

The struggle shifts again, and VAATU's bulk is pinned to the ground.

VAATU

(to Wan)

Please, little one, use your fire. Give me any small advantage. Free me from my torture, and I will finally be able to change this world of yours into something new.

RAAVA

Do not listen to him. Know your role, human, and do not meddle in affairs beyond your understanding.

WAN

No. I do understand. I understand those who use their power to keep others down, keep them trapped, and I will not allow that to continue!

WAN punches out at RAAVA, shooting fire at the tendrils that wrap around VAATU. The balance of the battle shifts, and VAATU begins to slowly break away, until finally there is only one last thin bond holding them together. Then that snaps in a flash of light. VAATU flies up into the sky as RAAVA collapses onto the ground.

VAATU.

Thank you, human. You have initiated the beginning of a new age.

VAATU flies off.

RAAVA

(to Wan)

Fool! You do not know what you have done. You have unleashed the spirit of chaos onto the world. I am Raava, the spirit of peace, and I have kept my opposite, Vaatu, just barely contained for the past ten thousand years. Now you have upset the balance and your entire world will suffer from his wrath. My only hope is to recapture him before he grows too strong. If I even can.

RAAVA flies off. WAN watches in horror at what he may have done.







EXT. VILLAGE GUARDED BY AIR, DAY

A new tribe of humans move through the forest, picking berries and other forage. One of the humans sees a spirit deeper in the forest and freezes like before a predator. Then sudden breeze ruffles the plants around the human and she frowns. The spirit she was watching begins to darken and change, growing more fearsome. Then it charges and the woman runs.

More spirits burst out of the forest, chasing the other humans. As the humans run, gust of wind and dust gather behind them, urging them on. They exit the forest, into a clearing of chopped down stumps, still running. Above, VAATU rises into view, floating in the air.

VAATU

Yes. Struggle. Fight. This equilibrium has lasted for too long. Now the war between humans and spirits will continue to a final victor!

The fleeing humans reach the edge of a cliff as before them a massive hill rises up in the air like it is flying. It is another great turtle, this one hovering in the air with clouds around it. Gust of air form behind each of the humans and propel them forward off the cliff, allowing them to jump an incredible distance and catch hold of the vines that dangle off the edge of the great turtle's shell.

VAATU descends towards the humans, but then RAAVA flies out of nowhere to crash into him. They fall back onto the top of the cliff in a new fight, however VAATU has grown while RAAVA has shrunk.

VAATU

Ha! Pitiful Raava. My power grows while yours fades. The conflict and the fear only gives me strength! You can do nothing to stop me!

A burst of fire from off-screen crashes into VAATU and startles him, allowing RAAVA to slip out of his grasp.

WAN

But she is not alone!

VAATU rises up into the air, dodging WAN's attacks.

VAATU

It makes no difference. Harmonic convergence approaches. Raava, ten thousand years ago you used that power to lock us together and hide the humans away, now I will use the power to rip all those walls apart! There will be nowhere to hide as darkness and conflict cover every world! Everything will change!

VAATU flies off into the sky.

WAN

Harmonic convergence?

RAAVA

It is a moment in time when the spirit world and the material world grow close enough to touch. That power will allow incredible, or terrible things to happen.

WAN

I saw what Vaatu is doing, he's corrupting spirits, making them vicious. If he's going to use all that power like you said, then we have to stop him.

RAAVA

(defeated)

It is impossible. I will fight him, because it is my nature, but I cannot win.

WAN

But the fire element can still hurt him and...

WAN turns, the air tribe humans are watching from the edge of the floating Great Turtle.

WAN

Fellow humans! You saw what's happening. You heard what's at stake. You have a connection to air, just like I have to fire. You can help us in this fight!

AIR TRIBE MEMBER

The great turtle only loans us the power so that we may run if beset while cutting down the forest. We don't know how to fight. We can't move like you do. And besides, spirits have always been our enemy, how is this new one any different? No, we stay in the village and our Sage King protects us.

RAAVA

As I said, the humans are useless.

WAN

Then...Great Turtle! Please, give me the connection to air so that I may better fight with Raava to save the world!

GREAT TURTLE OF AIR

No human can hold two elements at once.

RAAVA

(to Wan)

See? This ridiculous-

GREAT TURTLE OF AIR

However, Raava could hold the element on your behalf and bestow it in your time of need.

RAAVA

(offended)

I am the great spirit of light. I am not a backpack!

GREAT TURTLE OF AIR

For ten thousand years we have guarded humanity on our shells. We bent the elements to shelter them. We taught the Sage kings of their power. But against Vaatu's growing might, even we can do nothing. Alone, spirits or humans can do nothing. But together...perhaps there is a chance.

WAN

(to Raava)

Please.

RAAVA

(slowly)

All right.

The GREAT TURTLE OF AIR slowly raises one hand, as RAAVA moves in close to hover in front of WAN. Then the GREAT TURTLE OF AIR reaches to touch two claws to WAN's forehead and chest, through RAAVA. There is a flash of light.







EXT. FIELD OF BATTLE, DAY

Seen from a rotating low angle, WAN performs fire-bending moves beneath the open sky. Then RAAVA swoops down to pass through his chest in a flash of light. RAAVA is much smaller now. WAN staggers, and then begins to use air instead of fire.

WAN

(voice over)

The years that followed were hard.







EXT. VILLAGE GUARDED BY WATER, DAY

WAN stands in a woven reed boat before a Great Turtle in the middle of a lake flanked by waterfalls.







EXT. FIELD OF BATTLE, DAY

The same view as before continues to rotate as Dark Spirits charge at WAN. RAAVA passes through him and he summons a wave of water to push the spirits back.

WAN

(voice over)

Allies were hard to find. Vaatu's influence was everywhere.







EXT. VILLAGE GUARDED BY EARTH, DAY

WAN stands at the foot of a Great Turtle rising out of a swirling dust storm in a desert. On its back are densely packed adobe buildings.







EXT. FIELD OF BATTLE, DAY

The view turns and now humans are charging towards WAN armed with spears. RAAVA passes through him and he raises up a barrier of earth to stop them.

WAN

(voice over)

And the humans were no longer content to hide from the spirits.







EXT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS

WAN races along a cliff beside flying bison.

WAN walks behind giant badger moles as they dig tunnels with earth bending.

WAN stands at the edge of the sea under a full moon and raises his arms as the waves crash up against the rocks. A sea serpent breaches in the distance.







EXT. FIELD OF BATTLE, DAY

Spirits and humans face off against each other with WAN in the middle.

WAN

(voice over)

No one wanted to listen. But when I fought, they had to hear me.

RAAVA swoops down into WAN and as she remains inside his body massive waves of the elements ripple out from him, clearing the battlefield. WAN's eyes glow with light as he staggers in pain. The spirits and the humans both fall back in awe.

WAN

(through gritted teeth)

No. All this power. I need it for just a...little...while...longer. Someone has to-

RAAVA is flung out of him and WAN collapses. Behind him the humans and spirits return to their clash with eachother. RAAVA settles down beside WAN, smaller than his hand, a tiny shadow of her former self.

WAN

(softly)

I couldn't hold on.

RAAVA

If I had stayed within you, you would have died.

(indicates outward)

It was a noble plan, but we have not found any aid. We are out of time. The true battle comes. Vaatu awaits me at Harmonic Convergence.

WAN slowly pulls himself to his feet.

WAN

Then we go together.







EXT. DYING FOREST AMID SNOW, EVENING

WAN walks forward against the wind, wrapped in a thin cloak. Around him is a massive forest with yellowing leaves. Then the light of the polar portal is in front of him. He steps through it.







EXT. SPIRIT WORLD, TREE OF TIME

WAN steps out of the portal and VAATU is there, an enormous abstract shape like a black kite that fills the sky.

VAATU

At last, Harmonic Convergence returns! New, magnificent things are possible at last! And with it, you have returned as well, Raava.

RAAVA flies in front of WAN, a tiny speck compared to VAATU's vast size.

VAATU

(leans down)

So pitiful. Tell me, Raava, what vain threats are you going to spout this time?

RAAVA says nothing, but lowers down slightly. Then WAN bursts from behind, lashing out with a blast of fire bending. VAATU is driven back by his surprise at this ferocity. The fight continues, with RAAVA passing through WAN every time he needs to switch elements. However, though the elements can carve scars in VAATU, he heals and WAN doesn't.

WAN suffers blow after blow and is flung down on to the ground. He reaches out towards RAAVA nearby.

WAN

(to Raava)

You said I could die. Well, this looks like as good a time as any.

RAAVA

If this is your end, then I will face it with you. We will stand or fall, together.

The spirit world trembles.







EXT. SPACE

Planets move into alignment against the sun.







EXT. SPIRIT WORLD, TREE OF TIME

The whole spirit world ripples like it has been struck as a gong.

VAATU

Harmonic convergence is here! Now, everything will change!

Down below, RAAVA flies up and then dives down into WAN's chest in a flash of light. A surge of energy bursts out of WAN. A brief pillar of light stabs out of him as the spirit portals themselves begin to bend towards him.

VAATU

That power. What is this?

WAN rises to his feet, eyes shining and white energy boiling around him.

WAN

Something new.

VAATU

Raava, did you just do?!

Music rises.

WAN and RAAVA

We are bonded forever. We are one!

WAN returns to the fight with all four elements. VAATU is driven back to the dead tree. Then WAN traps the spirit in concentric rings of all the elements and shoves this prison inside the hollow of the tree.

WAN and RAAVA

This is your prison, Vaatu, for all the ages to come.

VAATU

(screams)

No!

WAN walks away toward the portal. A large crowd of spirits now appear and gather behind him. They bow and watch him walk into the light.







EXT. DYING FORREST, DAWN

WAN stands in front of the spirit portal with his hand outstretched as it shrinks and seals. SHANSHANG and two other spirits sand on this side, with WAN.

WAN

There. Now no human can ever return to undo those elemental chains. Vaatu will be imprisoned in the spirit world forever.

RAAVA

(unseen)

What will you do now?

WAN

You bonded to my soul, this power, it's incredible. We could do anything we want.

(Looks out with a grin)

Huh, light triumphed over darkness, didn't it? Well, then I'm going to fix the world.







EXT. BATTLEFIELD, SUNSET

In silence except for the sounds of insects and a breeze through trees, dead bodies and broken spears and clubs lie strewn around the still expanse. The shields are made of wicker and hide, and the spears are tipped with stone but they were still deadly. Parts of the battlefield are on fire, other parts are torn up with stone of spikes of ice. A man with glowing eyes, dressed in ancient raw cloth and a vest of boar-tusk scales, AVATAR WAN, collapses to lay just barely propped up against a huge slab of shattered rock. Two arrows jut out of his torso. As he pants and gasps, the light of the Avatar State fades out of his eyes.

WAN

(faintly through grimaces of pain)

I'm sorry.

A gentle breeze blows across the battlefield.

WAN

I'm sorry. I failed. There...

(grimaces)

There wasn't enough time. There just wasn't enough time...

He trails off and sags as he lets out one last breath. The scene slowly fades to black.

RAAVA

(unseen)

This is not the end. I will be with you, for all your lifetimes.

BABY

(Cries)







INT. WHITE LOTUS COMPOUND, DAWN

KORRA sits inside the same small room she was meditating in. Everything is quiet and peaceful, though the room rumbles slightly and dust shakes in the air.







EXT. WHITE LOTUS COMPOUND, DAWN

From outside, the room Korra had entered has rise up on a massive pillar of rock surrounded by a storm of swirling wind, fire, and ice. Her friends and family watch from outside, shielding themselves from the power at work.







INT. WHITE LOTUS COMPOUND

KORRA opens her eyes.







EXT. WHITE LOTUS COMPOUND, DAWN

The storm of elements dissipates and vanishes, just before KORRA opens the door and is surprised to see that the first step is now quite a bit more severe. She jumps down to ground level and cushions her fall with air-bending.

SENNA

Korra! Are you ok? Did you...did you find what you need?

KORRA

Yeah, sorry for that. I guess some elemental power got out while I was meditating that deeply. Thanks for waiting, I didn't expect it to take all night.

MAKO exchanges glances at the other spectators.

MAKO

Korra, it's been three days.

KORRA

What?!

TONRAQ

The New Year is tomorrow. Whatever Unalaq's mysterious plan is, the deadline is coming up real fast.

BUMI

(to Korra)

So boss, you get your past life intel on what we're up against? Should I bring the big crossbow and all the grenades or go stealth mode and just stick to the sword and throwing knives?

KORRA

Unalaq plans to release the great spirit of chaos from his prison in the spirit world and usher in ten thousand years of darkness across the universe.

BUMI

...Right. So crossbow it is.

TONRAQ

No matter what you need to do, we are all with you.

KORRA

Thank you.

TENZIN

When do we set out?

KORRA

Now.

KORRA steps forward and raises her hands as her eyes briefly flash. The packed snow under them trembles as it rises up. All around them, a vast amount of ice and snow melt down into water, to come flowing towards them and refreeze under them into a huge airfoil shaped ice construct that lifts them higher still. Then a swirling mass of air coalesces down and under the back to propel this strange craft forward across the frozen plain. All the other people crouch down to keep from falling but KORRA stands tall at the prow, propelling the whole huge thing off into the distance.







EXT. REPUBLIC CITY, CAPITOL BUILDING, NIGHT

A large group of protesters has gathered to protest the Northern occupation of the south. VARRICK leads the group, standing on a table with a megaphone. LIN stands in front of them with a group of cops forming the suggestion of a barricade.

VARRICK

(to protestors)

That's right, people! Tell President Chang what you really think about the Evil Unalaq! Remember, he's responsible for all the spirit attacks too, probably.

VARIOUS PROTESTERS

Freedom for the south! Stop the oppression! Down with spirits! Chang, stop Unalaq now!

ASAMI and BOLIN approach. LIN sees them and is startled, then she frowns and begins to move towards ASAMI

ASAMI

Really, Varrick? These lies have gotten too big, even for you.

VARRICK

(smiles)

Sato, how you doing? Oh hey, Bolin, great to see you!

PROTESTOR

We love you Bolin, defender of the south!

BOLIN claps a hand over his face.

VARRICK

(to protestors)

That's right, but even the mighty Bolin can't protect us forever against these spirit attacks. For all we know, they could be about to attack us right here and now!

ASAMI

(smiles confidently)

That's actually what I was meaning to talk to you about.

ASAMI walks over to a nearby building which has two big security guards standing outside the door.

VARRICK

(worried)

Hey, woah hey. That's private Verricorp property. Stay uh, stay away from that.

ASAMI

Mmhmm. Bolin?

BOLIN runs forward and earth-bends to open the brick wall. Inside is a duplicate of the Spirit Energy machine from the south, this one humming with power.

ASAMI

(to Varrick, coyly)

My, that looks like illegal spirit energy technology. And exactly how did you predict dark spirits were going to attack here tonight?

LIN

(to her cops)

Go, seize that machine. And turn it off right now. Smash it if you have to.

VARRICK

(fake surprised)

What? What even is that thing? I've never seen it before in my...Oh, Sato, you devious minx. Pin your own scheme on me.

VARRICK begins to clap slowly as he shakes his head in fake appreciation. ASAMI frowns at VARRICK's performance.

ASAMI

What...?

COP

Chief, you need to see this.

The cops show where the unplugged the power cable to expose a Sato Industries logo printed on the inside.

LIN

The Sato industries logo.

VARRICK

Sato, Sato, Sato. Undone by your own arrogance.

ASAMI

(glares)

You branded your own machines with my company logo. That's a cheap trick. You still look just as guilty as I do.

VARRICK

Oh sure, you won't end up in jail for this one little slip up. But it should be enough for a search warrant on Sato Industries. Say, maybe the floor directly above your personal office. Now, I wonder what these brave officers will find up there?

ASAMI glares at him with barely contained rage.

VARRICK

(smiles)

Your move.







EXT. FROZEN FOREST, LATE AFTERNOON

Water bender soldiers finish blasting through the earth barriers Korra raised around the portal. A moment later more Northern soldiers begin to march out of the spirit world, followed by half-track trucks carrying supplies. The soldiers exit the forest and begin to build fortifications of ice and metal plates around the holy grove.

A new convoy of snowmobiles and half-tracks approach from outside the forest, stopping at the fortifications. ESKA gets out, clearly exhausted.

ESKA

My father. Where is the Chief?







EXT. SPIRIT WORLD, TREE OF TIME

UNALAQ sits amid the roots of the great dead tree. ESKA slowly approaches, still astounded by these surroundings.

UNALAQ

(without looking)

The new year is just a few hours away. The planets will align and spiritual energy will flow across the worlds in ways it has not for ten thousand years. With the portals now open, Vaatu will be free to influence the material world once again.

ESKA

All right. And that's...good?

UNALAQ

You shouldn't have come.

ESKA

What? Father, I came to help you. To protect you. The Avatar is on her way to-

UNALAQ

In coming here you abandoned your responsibility to the Water Tribe. I had always feared your heart was too weak for the burdens of leadership. I am saddened to learn that I was correct.

ESKA

Father, I...

UNALAQ

Go. If you are here then nothing can be done about that. Return to the southern portal and do what you can to delay the Avatar's approach. She cannot be allowed to unbalance the universe once again.







EXT. OUTSIDE FROZEN FOREST, NIGHT

KORRA's icy makeshift hovercraft glides to a halt a good distance outside the new Water Tribe fortifications.

KORRA

All right. Time to face Unalaq, and to stop him before he unleashes Vaatu on the world.

MAKO

Dammit, why would he even want that? Can he control a spirit that powerful? Did he strike some kind of deal with it?

KORRA

I'm not sure he understands what he's doing. Unalaq has studied the spirit world, but so much has been lost to time. All he knows is some scraps of ancient legends and what Vaatu has told him. Unalaq still thinks he is going to fix the world.

KORRA stumbles.

SENNA

Korra, you're exhausted.

BUMI

Lady's right. You're the big guns so take a moment to rest and refuel. Here, eat a chocolate bar.

He tosses a chocolate bar at her.

TONRAQ

(looking out at the forest)

Those fortifications are still being set up. We can probably find a way in past most of the resistance.

MAKO

Our job is to make a hole so Korra can get through to the portal. Everything else is secondary. If we get captured but Vaatu stays imprisoned, that's still a win.

KORRA

No, you guys can wait for me. I just need a moment.

TENZIN

(steps forward)

You will have that moment, and as many more as you require.

BUMI

(grins)

Right, when the Avatar calls, the Air Nation rides. Heh, I always wanted to prevent an apocalypse. Well that or cause it.

(shrugs)

MAKO

(looking at the forest)

We should move now. It looks like there's a shift change happening. It's our chance to slip in.

MAKO, TENZIN, BUMI, TONRAQ, and SENNA move forward to the frozen forest. They stealthily incapacitate a few Northern Water Tribe soldiers.







EXT. FROZEN FOREST, NIGHT

Deeper in the forest, ESKA patrols around the back lines amid the trees. Then she looks at a seemingly normal patch of forest and narrows her eyes in suspicion.







EXT. OUTSIDE FROZEN FOREST, NIGHT

KORRA sits in meditation.

KORRA

(softly)

Raava. You're in there, I know it. This final fight... I'm going to try to pull it off, but I'm not sure. I'm not sure I can do it like last time.

RAAVA

(unseen, softly and slowly)

Time. The time is near. Vaatu wakes.

KORRA

(exhilarated)

You hear me.

(serious)

I'm going to need all the help you can give me. Every bit of power.

RAAVA

(unseen)

I cannot give...

KORRA

What? No, wake up more. This is the fight you exist for. You need to battle Vaatu for the universe to survive!

RAAVA

(unseen)

I cannot give...what is already yours. For a hundred lifetimes...my power is yours, your strength is mine.







EXT. FROZEN FOREST

MAKO, TENZIN, BUMI, TONRAQ and SENNA continue their quiet assault inside the snowy forest.

BUMI

All right. That should do it. Took out the patrolling guard and I left my "presents" all rigged to go. Now it's a straight path to the last defense around the portal.

MAKO

Right. We'll give Korra the signal to move in.

TONRAQ

(suspicious)

Wait.

(looks down)

There's no snow on the ground.

Everyone looks down at the suddenly bare ground. Then a wave of water and ice slams out from offscreen, hitting BUMI and MAKO while TORNROQ and TENZIN each part it around them. ESKA moves in to attack.

ESKA

Soldiers of the north, take them down!

Arrows and shards of ice come flying out of the woods. Northern soldiers run forward, then one of them hits a wire tied between two trees. The wire is tied to a grenade.

Seen from the attack site, explosions go off in the forest.

BUMI

(grins)

They found my presents.

Both sides clash in a fierce fight of bending and other martial arts.

Then KORRA blasts past the fight in a swirl of wind.

ESKA

No! To the portal! Protect the Chief!

She summons up a wave of water and rushes off after KORRA. Then a burst of fire from MAKO cuts her off.

MAKO

Eska, no! Your dad's gone crazy. He's trying to unleash the spirit of chaos!

ESKA

Get, off me! Lie down where you belong!

ESKA continues fighting.

MAKO

Seriously?

MAKO punches fire blasts at ESKA.

ESKA

Do you really think you're hot enough to get me on my knees?

MAKO

I can't even tell if you're doing it on purpose anymore!







EXT. SPIRIT WORLD, TREE OF TIME

UNALAQ stands before the Tree of Time as KORRA approaches. KORRA is breathing heavily, but still stands firm.

KORRA

Unalaq, I will not allow you to release Vaatu. I know you honor the spirits, but he is the incarnation of destruction and chaos. You don't remember the last age like I do, the devastation he would wreck on the world would be unsurvivable.

UNALAQ

Destruction and chaos, yes, but also creation and growth. You've seen the truth, haven't you? Vaatu and Raava are the two halves of the Great Spirit. Conflict between the two is the natural balance of the universe. But for ten thousand years half of that balance has been chained and imprisoned, while our human world slid further and further away from the glory of the spirits.

KORRA

Damn it! You don't even know what you're asking for! I've seen what the world was like back then, humanity was on the edge of extermination!

UNALAQ

I have done all I can to prevent that; to give humanity strength and stability. There just wasn't enough time. But the balance must be restored. Sacrifices must be made. Ten thousand years is long enough, and the harmonic convergence has come once again.

The spirit world vibrates like a gong.







EXT. SPACE

Planets move into alignment against the sun.







EXT. SPIRIT WORLD, TREE OF TIME

The sky shimmers and the pillars of energy from the northern and southern portals begin to bend towards each other. Inside the tree, the shimmering energy around VAATU begins to fade, leaving only the swirling rings of elements.

VAATU

My time is coming, Raava. One by one, these meager bonds fail.

KORRA

No!

KORRA lashes out at UNALAQ with the elements. Her power overwhelms him and throws him back. But as he falls, UNALAQ manages to water-bend and draw away the ring of water from VAATU's elemental prison.

VAATU

(roars)

VAATU begins tearing through the remaining elemental bonds, as they fail one by one. KORRA sees this and rushes to start forming a new water bond but UNALAQ attacks her while her back is turned. She swats him away but in that time VAATU breaks his last chain. VAATU bursts free into the sky.

VAATU

At long last I am free! Free to dance across the worlds as I did in ages past!

KORRA enters the Avatar State. VAATU descends to hover in front of her, a huge black shape.

KORRA

(avatar voice)

Vaatu, your time is over. I imprisoned you once and I will do it again.

VAATU

Ah. Raava and the human, still working together. This Avatar is a potent combination. Even though I am rested and you are weary from long millennia of combat, I still sense the outcome of our clash is uncertain.

KORRA gathers the elements around her, orbiting like rings of fire, water, earth, and air.

KORRA

(avatar voice)

The convergence will last for a while. I may even have time to enjoy beating you down before I shove you back in that tree.

VAATU

(slowly)

Yes, Harmonic Convergence still lasts. Within its duration many things are possible. Many things indeed. It was kind of you, Raava, to bring a human body to me.

VAATU abruptly turns and races away from KORRA, straight towards UNALAQ. KORRA tries to stop him but the spirit avoids her attacks and plunges into UNALAQ's body in a flash of purple light. Then the crackling purple energy vanishes and UNALAQ is left on the ground. UNALAQ seizes and twitches, convulsing as he coughs up blood.

KORRA descends to land beside UNALAQ's crumpled shape.

KORRA

Unalaq, what have you done?

UNALAQ

(pained)

For the sake of humanity's soul, I would do anything. Even sacrifice my own.

UNALAQ goes still, letting out a rattling breath. Then a moment later, his eyes open, shining with orange light.

UNALAQ

(avatar voice)

But it worked.

UNALAQ stands up as KORRA moves back in horror. All around him, all the water in the landscape begins to ripple and flow towards him.

UNALAQ

(avatar voice)

Where the Avatar of Light once stood alone, now there is balance! The Dark Avatar rises, to right this sinking world!







EXT. ZAOFU, NIGHT

The metal city is now exposed to the night air, their domes having begin stolen by Kuvira. JINORA and OPAL stand in a garden with SUYIN near the edge of one of the city sections.

JINORA

(inhales sharply)

SUYIN

What is it?

JINORA turns to look off into the distance with fear in her eyes.







EXT. REPUBLIC CITY OUTSKIRTS, NIGHT

LIN stands near the spirit crater, leading cops against angry spirits. Spirits suddenly all turn to the south and then begin to grow more fearsome.

LIN

Well, that's not good.







INT. SATO INDUSTRIES TOWER, UPSTAIRS LAB

Republic City police are searching though lots of electrical devices and machines. ASAMI stands apart, arms crossed and irritated at this intrusion. Then the long row of electrical devices suddenly show a great deal of activity. A TECHNICIAN working on the devices turns towards her, panicked.

COP

Hey! What's happening?

TECHNICIAN

Miss Sato, something's wrong. The spirit energy samples have gone wild! Could Varrick be doing something in the city again?

ASAMI

(fearful)

No.

(looks to the south)

Oh Korra.







EXT. FROZEN FOREST

ESKA pants as she stands over the last fortifications of Korra's friends, now surrounded by northern soldiers.

ESKA

Surrender now and I may be less creative in my displeasure.

MAKO

(yelling from cover)

Yeah, whatever. We'll talk again when Korra walks back out of that portal.

KORRA is flung out of the portal by a pillar of ice, flying backwards and smashing through the forest until she finally manages to stop herself in a crater.

BUMI

(after a pause)

See, now we're ready to talk.

UNALAQ walks out of the portal, with shining eyes and the Vaatu symbol glowing on his chest. Behind him, spirits walk out of the portal as well, all twisted and dark.

UNALAQ

(avatar voice)

A new spiritual age has begun! Those of you fortunate enough to witness, glory at the dawn of a new world!

Some of the northern soldiers drop down into bows at UNALAQ's new glowing power, while others turn and run. ESKA just stares in stunned disbelief.

KORRA slowly stands up, bruised. UNALAQ walks towards her as KORRA gathers herself. Snow and ice melt down to water to gather around UNALAQ, readying an attack against KORRA. Then SENNA bolts forward to grab ESKA, pressing a knife to her throat.

SENNA

(to Unalaq)

Unalaq! Leave Korra alone or your girl dies right here! Step away from my daughter!

BUMI

(to Tonraq)

I like her.

UNALAQ

(Avatar voice)

What do I care of some human? Let her be reborn with the rest.

(struggles)

No, that is not what we agreed...Grah!

(relaxes)

This is a new world. Sacrifices must be made.

ESKA

(faintly)

Father.

UNALAQ rises up on a massive pillar of ice and water, leaving ESKA and SENNA behind. SENNA lowers the knife. As UNALAQ moves closer to KORRA he suddenly shudders and the ice pillar trembles. He reaches up to grab his head.

KORRA

Not so easy, is it Unalaq? All that power; the voices inside your head. It's overwhelming, isn't it?

UNALAQ roars and unleashes a wavering attack at KORRA. KORRA blocks it with a brief flash of Avatar power.

KORRA

You get used to it.

(enters the Avatar State)

Trust me. I've had ten thousand years to practice.

UNALAQ and KORRA clash.

TONRAQ

I don't understand. Didn't Unalaq already get all the power he wanted? Why is he still fighting Korra? He's risking his own people when he could just leave at any point.

TENZIN

Vaatu is the spirit of chaos. Fusing with that being cannot be as harmonious as fusing with the spirit of order and light. If I had to guess, Unalaq's soul is not as strong as he thought it was. He is no longer the one in control of that power.

The fight between UNALAQ and KORRA grows by the moment and rages over miles. UNALAQ may only have water bending, but it is enhanced to ridiculous degrees by the avatar power. Entire glaciers rip free of mountains to come crashing down. Ice twists and melts into pillars and spikes before shattering into thousands of frozen blades. KORRA seems slightly weaker, but she fights with more elements and more skill. Towering pillars of stone, fireballs the size of cars, and massive tornadoes rip across the frozen wasteland. The two Avatars dodge and clash again and again.

Still, the strain is getting to KORRA. She plants her feet, resisting some elemental attack, but the sound around her is muted as the glowing pattern on her torso grows brighter. She is battered and breathing heavily.

KORRA

(to herself)

Urgh. I'm...I'm so tired.

RAAVA

(unseen)

I know you are. But you must not give up. My power is yours. We are one, and we will never be parted.

VAATU

(unseen)

But all things must change.

UNALAQ and KORRA come in close to grapple. They are evenly matched, even with KORRA having had the harder time of it. Then as they draw together, dark boiling energy begins to lift off of UNALAQ's body.

UNALAQ

(straining)

No... Vaatu, what are...

(avatar voice)

For this long age, light has reigned supreme. I will not be content with a return to mere stalemate, to more endless battle. Now is time of an age of darkness. Now is time for the death of light.

The dark tendrils solidify around UNALAQ's body and reach out towards KORRA, tipping the balance of the struggle. They grasp at the arcane pattern on her torso and begin to pull at it. The edges of RAAVA's spirit form begin to phase out of KORRA.

KORRA and RAAVA

(scream in pain)

Korra's friends charge forward to try and help her, but waves of snow and ice ripple out from UNALAQ to beat them down.

UNALAQ

No! Vaatu, you can't! You and Raava are two halves of the same whole! One cannot exist without the other!

(avatar voice)

Silence, human. You have given me your power and so you served your purpose. You are no longer relevant.

KORRA continues screaming as the tendrils of VAATU draw RAAVA out of her body.

She flashes into a vision of the line of Avatars stretching out into the distance.

KORRA

(to past Avatars)

Help me!

AANG opens his mouth and raises his hand, but then he bursts into mist.

Back in the real world, VAATU's tendrils rip at RAAVA, shredding her spirit body. KORRA screams in pain as she watches more of the past Avatars disappear with each blow. RAAVA shrinks and withers and now Avatars are disappearing by the tens and twenties as the world goes dark.

KORRA lies on the ground, struggling but too weak to move. Then the dark tendrils destroys the last shred of RAAVA.

In Korra's mind, WAN stands alone in the black void in front of her, holding four orbs of elemental energy. He bows his head, then they all dissolve into mist and fade into darkness.

Outside, the stars in the sky begin to dim as the aurora blazes and stretches out far across the sky. As soon as Raava is gone, the dark tendrils draw back towards UNALAQ, dim lights of green, blue, yellow, and red glowing within. UNALAQ's body begins to be overtaken by the energy of VAATU, transforming it. He grows slightly, no longer looking like a human, but something like a large human shaped spirit made of darkness, UNAVAATU. Other spirits begin to emerge from the forest, and as they do so they grow dark and twisted.

UNAVAATU

Spirits and creatures of this world and the other. Fear and rejoice! Ten thousand years of darkness have begun!

UNAVAATU reaches up impossibly high into the sky and grabs hold of the aurora itself. Then in a crackle of energy, he vanishes.

Down on the ground, KORRA finally lapses into unconsciousness.