Chapter Text



EXT. WOODED REPUBLIC CITY SHRINE - DAY

KORRA sits cross-legged in meditation. She gently breathes in and out. Her eyes are closed but despite the gentle quiet noises of the shrine area, muscles in her face twitch. Brief visions flash into her view: soldiers marching, saws biting into trees, and a lumpy green ball sparking with purple electricity.

Then she regains her calm and breaths out. She half opens her eyes to a relaxed neutral expression. Pale translucent spirits begin to slowly fade into sight. The smallest smile begins to tick at the corners of her mouth.

Then KORRA's view changes. The world begins to darken around her like a cloud has passed overhead. A wind starts to pick up as KORRA's breathing accelerates. Then the spirits are gone and there are chains manacled around her wrists and ankles. KORRA panics, not registering that she is wearing different clothes now and is thus hallucinating. The wind is roaring as it swirls around her now and suddenly ZAHEER is standing in front of her, grinning viciously as he bends the air out of KORRA's lungs.

ZAHEER

(hallucination)

The age of the Avatar is over!

With a gasp of panic, KORRA is back in the real world. The half-seen spirits flee from her and disappear. KORRA pants until she notices a nearby sound.

KORRA

It's ok, Tenzin. You can come up.

TENZIN

(enters, bows slightly)

I didn't want to interrupt.

KORRA

You're not interrupting. Unfortunately.

(angry)

I can't get it. I was never very good at the spiritual aspect of all this but now? I'm worse than ever.

(stands)

I can't touch the spirit world any more; most spirits seem to be actively repelled from me. I can feel..., I know that Kuvira's spirit energy weapon or something else is unbalancing on the world but I can't do anything about any of it.

(dejected)

All these years trying to heal and I'm still worse than I was before.

TENZIN

I am not going to pretend to understand everything you are going through. You know my own failings with the spirit world, but I've never suffered in the way you have.

(moves to stand beside her)

I may not have perfect understanding, but I have faith. Faith in you, Korra.

KORRA

(soft)

Faith like you had in your dad before me. In the Avatar.

(normal tone)

Well, bad news, I can't hear him or the other past Avatars either. I barely could before my injury but now it's just more nothing. And I need to! Spirits are acting up across the world! There's some giant spirit weapon! Everyone needs me.

(breaths)

I'm sorry, you'll have to tell the other world leaders that...I don't know. Tell them whatever you think is best.

TENZIN

(pause)

Korra, I know you're feeling lost right now. But I also have confidence that you will find your way through.

KORRA

(gets up, dejected)

Yeah, let me know if you figure out how to do that.

She walks down a path of stairs to a lower pavilion of this temple-shrine complex. There she sees ASAMI walking back with a book under her arm and a cup of tea in her hand.

ASAMI

(surprised and a little bit flustered)

Oh, you're done already? I brought this tea for you. To warm you up.

KORRA

(takes tea and smiles)

Thanks.

(sips)

Mmm, nice and hot. Wait, how did you time this so that it was still hot when I...This was going to be your tea wasn't it.

ASAMI

(slightly embarrassed)

Er, yes.

KORRA

(gently laughs)

Well, thanks.

She turns and leans against the railing looking out, worries weighing on her mind. ASAMI comes up behind her.

ASAMI

(concerned)

Korra, you know I'm here for whatever you need.

KORRA

(slight smile)

I know. I just-

She is interrupted as she sees a faint purple ripple sweeping across the landscape. ASAMI shows no sign of seeing it but when the wave reaches KORRA the avatar grimaces and leans over slightly.

ASAMI

Korra! What happened? Are you ok? Is your injury-?

KORRA

No, it's...I'm ok.

(stands up and looks off into the distance)

Another ripple of spiritual energy. Somewhere out there, way to the south. It must be Kuvira's weapon.

ASAMI

(hangs head)

I've spent almost a week locked up with Varrick in the research lab, trying to come up with some countermeasure or defense but...

(self-castigating)

I had the chance to keep him away from Kuvira from the beginning. He tried to sell the technology to me first but I thought that I was doing what you would have wanted me to-

KORRA

Asami, it's not your fault. Protecting the world is my responsibility and I abandoned it.

ASAMI.

No, don't say that. You haven't done anything wrong.

KORRA

(turning inward)

I wish you'd stop putting me on a pedestal. At least the world leaders' disappointment is something I've earned. You've been with me at my worst. You've held me when I could barely move.

ASAMI is searching for something to say but only finds frustration and concern.

KORRA

I could have done something earlier, stopped this conflict somehow if I hadn't been hiding, refusing to face the things that frighten me. The things about myself.

(turns to Asami)

I know what that is now. I've been having visions of Zaheer. Ever since he tried to kill me I've been seeing flashes of him, of me in the poisoned Avatar state as he choked me. As hard as I try I can't let go of that one moment.

ASAMI

(recovers from surprise of conversation direction, then reassuring)

That's ok. I've had nightmares about that day too. I saw you lying on the ground, unable to move....No one would be able to just let go of something like that. No one expects you to.

KORRA

But I need to. For the world. For me and...

(deep breath)

I need to face Zaheer. Go to his prison and look him in the eyes. Maybe I'll be able to convince myself that it's really over.

ASAMI

(worried)

Are you sure that's a good...?

(cuts herself off, embarrassed for saying the same thing she had snapped at Korra over)

I mean, do you think that would help?

KORRA

I don't know. Hell, Asami, for all I know it's a terrible idea, but I have to try something. I've spent too much time running away.

(grins)

And if the whole thing messes me up more than before you'll at least get to say I told you so.

ASAMI

(offended)

I would never say that.

KORRA gives her a knowing look.

ASAMI

(a touch guilty)

Well, not over something like this.

KORRA grins and after a moment ASAMI laughs softly. They stand side by side and look out at the city.



EXT. CAR ON ROAD TO NANFANG

MAKO is at the wheel of a car as KORRA sits in the passenger seat. They are passing Nanfang city, to the south of which army camps are being built. They pass military trucks and transports hauling mechatanks.

KORRA

Are you sure Wu will be ok? Aren't you his bodyguard?

MAKO

I shoved him back in the Nanfang City central precinct. This trip is more important. Even in prison, Zaheer's still dangerous.

From the road they pass an assumably center where soldiers train with swords and crossbows. A smaller number of soldiers are practicing the elements.

KORRA

That's a lot of soldiers. Even more than in Republic City.

MAKO

Nanfang's the most exposed part of the UR to the Earth Empire. If Kuvira tries something, it would be here. Her army and her giant weapon are both tied to the rail lines and all the tracks come up from the south. So they're showing her that it won't work. Even with the size of her army, she can't crack our defenses. And as for that weapon, well, we'll figure something out, right?

KORRA

(unconfident)

Yeah. Right.

The car follows a road up towards the mountains away from the army camps gathering outside the city.



EXT. MOUNTAIN PRISON

MAKO and KORRA pull up to a fortified prison set into the wall of a cliff. Guards welcome them and open very secure doors to let them inside.

INT. MOUNTAIN PRISON

KORRA and MAKO walk through the prison halls to reach a metal elevator set into the stone. The guard opens it and KORRA steps forward. MAKO moves to follow but KORRA holds up her hand to stop him.

KORRA

No. I need to do this alone

KORRA rides the elevator down until it stops at the bottom, facing a heavy solid metal door. Up above, engines start to work and crank up chains, slowly lifting the heavy door. This exposes a large carved room illuminated by the dim glow of crystals and a few bare electric lights. In the center of the room is ZAHEER.

His hair and beard are long and there are heavy chains manacled to his arms. But despite all that he sits in meditative posture, levitating impossibly off the ground. His chains trail down. He opens his eyes.

ZAHEER

You must be really be in trouble if you came down to see me.

KORRA

Zaheer.

(takes breath)

I came here to look at you and know that you have no power over me. I will no longer be scared of you.

ZAHEER bows his head peacefully. Then, still floating, he shoots forward towards KORRA. She jumps back from his lunge, terrified, but the length of his chains stops him short. ZAHEER stands in mid air, floating up above and before KORRA looking down at her.

ZAHEER

I guess it didn't work. You are still afraid.

KORRA

(turns away)

This was a mistake.

ZAHEER

I know why you really came. You want my help. You came seeking a master.

KORRA turns back, shocked. ZAHEER merely folds back into his floating meditative posture and slowly returns to the center of the room. KORRA forces herself to laugh.

KORRA

Help? From you? You're in prison. You're in chains! You lost.

ZAHEER

And yet I walk free in the spirit world every day,

(opens his eyes)

While in all these years you have not returned.

KORRA

(off balance)

How do you know that?

ZAHEER

The spirit world shudders at each touch of the Avatar. Your passage leaves a wake.

(slight shrug)

And lately I've had a lot of free time to notice things like that. But it is of no matter, for I decline to give you the help you seek.



KORRA

(digging at him)

What, do I remind you of all your failures?

ZAHEER

I did not achieve all my goals but that does not mean I failed. I take pride in the elimination of the United Republic president and of the Earth Queen. The revolution in Ba Sing Se will have inspired thousands more to follow in my footsteps towards the pursuit of absolute freedom.

KORRA

(with venom)

You inspired Kuvira.

(sees Zaheer's reaction)

That's right. The chaos you created allowed the ascension of a tyrant a hundred times more powerful and controlling than the Earth Queen ever was. I've seen it myself. Your revolution went the other way.

ZAHEER

(shaken)

I'd heard rumors. The spirit world echoes the material world but there is measure of distortion...

KORRA

If you've been in the spirit world then you know the spirits can feel what's going on. Kuvira's armies are marching across the world. She's carving apart spiritual sites to harvest energy for her empire. She's turning the spirits into a weapon. I've felt it, waves of darkness, even in this world! You killed the Earth Queen and left chaos behind! You took me out of commission for three years! You created this. Kuvira's rise is your fault.

ZAHEER

(breaths deeply)

There is a measure of truth in that. Maybe, in this moment, our interests align. All right, Avatar, you have shown some wisdom. Perhaps there is still hope for you to see the path of true balance. I will help you. If you will listen.

EXT. MASSIVE STAGE AREA

Thousands of men and women in Earth Empire military uniforms fill a massive stadium. They cheer and chant in exaltation. Up in the middle of the huge ornate stage, KUVIRA and BAATAR stand facing each other. They are both wearing traditional wedding clothes. Behind them hang Empire flags and printed images of Kuvira's face but neither of couple are looking at that. Instead they only stare at each other with love until they come together in a kiss. The crowd cheers and roars, then begins to chant.

CROWD

(In unison)

Kuvira! Kuvira! Kuvira!



INT. MOUNTAIN PRISON

KORRA

(shakes head)

I can't trust you. And even if I could, there's nothing you can do. Master Katara and the blind earth-bender did all they could to fix me, but they still failed. The problem's somewhere in me, in who I am.

ZAHEER

You have gone to the water to heal your body, and to the earth to steady your mind. But that is not enough. So you have come to a master of air to set your soul free.

KORRA

What are you talking about? My soul is fine. The Avatar state still works, the power's still there, it's the rest of me that's wrong.

ZAHEER

You don't even understand what you are truly capable of. The Avatar is closer in nature to the spirits than any other human. You are a bridge between worlds. If your soul is not in balance then you are at odds with both worlds. The spirits can sense it, can't they? They are in conflict with you. Maybe even your past lives as well.

(sees Korra's reaction)

I thought so.

KORRA

(angry)

It's you're fault. You did this to me! But I still beat you. Even after drugging me and poisoning me and chaining me, breaking me, I still beat you and dragged you down to the ground!

ZAHEER

(ignores Korra's attacks)

Yes. I hurt you. That is a fact. And there will not come a time when I have not hurt you. For years your goal as been to return to the person you were before, but that is impossible. It would still be impossible if you had never been hurt. Who we are is always changing, every day. Your body changes, your mind changes, and even your soul is in constant transformation. To accept that change is the key to strength. You say you are broken, but that is not a fact, that is only a perception.

KORRA grimaces but does not argue. She sits down.

ZAHEER

I will show you. Clear your mind. Focus on the past and the present. Focus only on truth.

The room darkens around KORRA leaving her sitting in a black void. She strains her eyes and sees a massive glowing Astral Korra floating in space with an orb of energy between her hands, however she is darkened and obscured. KORRA reaches forward but there is a black film that stops her hands. Then wind begins to swirl around her head and she starts to choke.

KORRA

(breathing heavily)

No! It's...I...!

ZAHEER

Return to what happened. Let it play out. Acknowledge the pain, the fear, the anger, but do not let it rule you. Accept it.

KORRA floats in a black void. Then there is a metallic sound and she looks down to see chains wrapping around her wrists and ankles. Shadow-Korra is holding the other ends, roaring with glowing eyes as she pulls KORRA closer. At first KORRA struggles to get away but she can't. Then she breaths in and out. She turns back to look at the snarling Shadow-Korra. KORRA seizes hold of the chains that bind her and begins to pull on them, drawing her shadow closer. Now Shadow-Korra is the one trying to get away. The vision roars and thrashes but KORRA draws it closer length by length. Then KORRA is close enough to grab it and she does, hugging its back tight against her chest as the monstrous avatar vision flails and struggles.

In the real world KORRA is still sitting on the floor of the cell before the floating ZAHEER.

KORRA

(eyes closed, straining , distraught)

I can't. It's too-

ZAHEER

Do not listen to the lies of existence. You say there are things you cannot do. You say there is a force you cannot overcome. You say your power has limits. I say it is limitless.

KORRA presses against the black film in the astral void, it stretches and stretches as her face twists in pain and anguish. Then all at once the black sheet shatters into sparkling threadlike shards in all the colors of the rainbow.

Suddenly, KORRA is back in the badlands of the Red Lotus. Chains are on her wrists, wind whips around her head and a vision of Zaheer laughs before her as he strives to choke her with air-bending. Then KORRA breathes in and out. She shifts from her tortured, struggling posture into a posture of calm meditation, even as nothing about the violence scene around her has changed. She breathes in and out, at peace even in this hell.

In the undisturbed cell in the real world, KORRA breaths out. Her eyes open and they are blazing with brilliant light.



EXT. SPIRIT WORLD

KORRA fades into sight standing on a hilltop with a fantastic vista of the spirit world spread before her. She looks down at her hands in surprise and amazement. ZAHEER is standing to the side behind her.

KORRA

(whispers)

The spirit world.

ZAHEER

(nods)

And now the Avatar is free once more. Free and and in unity with herself.

Small spirits, a few at first and then more and more begin to congregate towards KORRA. They fly through the air and swirl around her in wide circles, creating a slow motion tornado of color. It echoes the terrifying swirling air of ZAHEER's first attack against her.

Then the spirits disperse and KORRA is still standing on the hill.

KORRA

You actually helped me. You hate the existence of the avatar, but you made me stronger. Why? Why go against your beliefs like that?

ZAHEER

All my actions are freely chosen, that is my belief. Before, it was my will to kill you. That avenue is closed. Now it is my will to see you aided. This path still remains. Strength does matter and neither does weakness. Only the courage to stand where you choose. Now go, Korra, and resist the forces of oppression. Wherever you might find them.



INT. MOUNTAIN PRISON

KORRA breathes in as the light fades from her eyes. She closes her eyes and then opens them again without sign of the Avatar power. In front of her ZAHEER is still floating silently in meditation. KORRA stands up and begins to walk of. She turns back and ZAHEER is still in the same position, floating in the air

KORRA

(surprisingly sincere and without anger)

A prison larger than the whole world.

(shakes her head slightly)

Goodby Zaheer

KORRA exits. ZAHEER does not move from his meditation.



EXT. MOUNTAIN PRISON - SUNSET

MAKO is pacing out in front of the prison as KORRA exits behind him.

MAKO

How'd it go? What happened? Did he try anything?

KORRA

I think he...actually helped me. I feel, balanced.

MAKO

What, he...healed you?

KORRA

No. I'm not healed. I don't think I ever will be.

(looks up at sky)

I'm not healed, but I'm better. A little better.

(looks out)

I'm ready to face what's coming.



EXT. UNITED REPUBLIC MOUNTAIN BORDER FORT - NIGHT -

A uniformed man, BORDER GUARD ONE, leans on the cement railing, looking out from the fort's perch down into the dark and misty mountain valley below. He yawns and takes another sip from the steaming thermos beside him. Another man opens a door behind him and comes out with the light that spills out.

BORDER GUARD ONE

Hey, did you ever get the radio to pick up more than that one music station?

BORD GUARD TWO

Nope, still just traditional folk songs and staticy Kuvira propaganda.

BORDER GUARD ONE

(sarcastic)

Great.

BORDER GUARD TWO

But anyway, the whole army's on high alert. Listening to music's probably not... you know.

BORDER GUARD ONE

(snorts)

Kuvira's army trains aren't sneaking through these mountains. It doesn't matter how fast her earth benders can lay down track, there's only so many flatish bits they can come at the country from. And that's down south where the rest of our army is waiting. The worst we've got to watch for here is spies and commando groups.

BORDER GUARD TWO

That still sounds bad.

(peers out, looks through binoculars)

Hey, is that a car coming up the road?

It is hard to make out the dark shape coming out of the mist down in the valley below.

BORDER GUARD ONE

Huh, maybe. Well, they'll still be waiting at the border crossing for a good three hours or so before Sing and them open up down there.

BORDER GUARD TWO

(still looking through binoculars)

It doesn't have headlights.

BORDER GUARD ONE

(shrugs)

Last one I saw come by didn't have a hood. We're out in the boonies here. Still, might as well wire Sing, see who's awake.

BORDER GUARD TWO

(binoculars)

Huh. Is that another...?

The view switches to his perspective through the binoculars. More shapes are advancing up the valley in the mist. There are more cars on the road, tanks on the flat land around it it and in the rougher areas battlesuits stomp over the rocks.

BORDER GUARD TWO

Ahh!

BORDER GUARD ONE

(grabs binoculars, sees army)

Telegraph Republic City command! Now!

(other guard exits to inside)

Major incursion up the pass! Earth Empire! Possibly a full force of up to...! What?

Down in the valley through the binoculars something else is moving in the mist. It's something behind the front vehicles and something much, much larger. It looks like a metal tower rising up out of the mist until it lifts up into the air like the giant leg of an equally giant mechanical device.

BORDER GUARD ONE

What in the...?

The distant mist begins to glow in a sinister purple color. In a distant side view of the border fort, a bright beam lances into it, ripping the building apart in the resulting explosion. A glowing smoking crater in the mountainside remains.

The only sound in night is the sound of engines and thudding metal feet.



INT. ASAMI'S OFFICE, REPUBLIC CITY - MORNING

ASAMI walks into her office but as she passes her plate glass window she hears distant sirens. As she looks out she sees five government airships hurrying off at full speed towards the south.

VARRICK and ZHULI have claimed most of two walls to cover with diagrams. BOLIN is dozing in a chair until the siren jerks him awake.



INT. AIRSHIP OVER COUNTRYSIDE

LIN stands in the open door of the airship looking out over the passing landscape below as they head south towards Nanfang. In the airship behind her, Republic City metal-benders are flexing and causing their metal armor to snap into place. The mood is somber.



INT. AIR TEMPLE ISLAND, OPAL'S ROOM

OPAL jerks up in her bed at the sound of a ringing bell. Other air-benders are running through the hallway outside her room.



INT. NANFANG POLICE HEADQUARTERS

WU yawns and looks around, confused, at the flurry of activity exploding around him. Ignored, he wanders into a radio operator's room.

RADIO OPERATOR

(into microphone)

Attention. This is a general evacuation order for Nanfang city. All non-essential civilians, proceed to your previously designated district assembly points. You will be taken north to Republic City and other areas until the military threat has been resolved. Attention. This is a general evacuation order for Nanfang city. All non-essential civilians...



EXT. NANFANG POLICE HEADQUARTERS

WU walks just outside the front door of the headquarters, expecting someone to stop him. No one pays him any attention. Outside, WU sees panic begin to spread through the streets as people take in the evacuation order.

Up above he can see airships and flying bison advancing towards the city. A siren begins to sound.



EXT. NANFANG ARMY COMMAND

The army is frantically shifting directions. There are forts and defenses off to the south but now Kuvira is advancing from a different direction.

UR GENERAL

Kuvira is launching a sneak attack from the east mountains! Redeploy to meet it!

RADIO OPERATOR

Sir, Empire forces are mobilizing across the southern border also!



EXT. FEILDS OUTSIDE NANFANG

UR weapons are being rolled into place as earth-benders hurriedly construct quick fortifications in the form of trenches and earth walls. Water benders suck up water to freeze into place as spikes and walls. General scenes of frantic preparation.



EXT. NANFANG SOUTHERN BORDER

UR soldiers rush around in their sturdy fortifications and pill boxes.

Across the border the Empire soldiers gather behind hastily constructed fortifications as armor devisions roll up. The soldiers nervously cutch their crossbows and swords as the earth-benders load into protective tanks.

Then a whistle sounds and the empire soldiers charge as explosions begin.



EXT. FOOTHILL OUTSIDE NANFANG

KORRA swoops down from the sky using her glider staff. She lands in a swirling cushion of air on the top of the hill where she can see the valley which is to be the eastern battlefield, and the city beyond. To the south, explosions have already started. Dust is rising from up in the pass to the east where Kuvira's mountain army is descending. Flocks of birds rise from the trees. KORRA clenches her fist but then she forces herself to relax. She sits down and KORRA assumes a meditative posture.

KORRA

The weapon, I need to stop the weapon. She'll have hidden it. I need to stop this war.

(half closes eyes, slower speech)

It's powered by spirit energy. There must be a way to sense it out there. I just need to know how. I just need help.

The tint on the world around her changes slightly and ethereal steam begins to rise off her body as the distant fighting fades into the background. Then the smoke coalesces into a human shape, AVATAR AANG.

AVATAR AANG

Hello Korra. It's nice to speak with you again.