(See the end of the chapter for notes .)

Chapter Text

INT. SECRET LAB

The build team has assembled two large machine vehicles out of parts of the mechatanks and battlesuits.

VARRIK

(triumphant)

We're done!

ASAMI

Great. Let's get them on the trucks. Any last checks will have to be done on the way to Korra. Heck, we'll throw spare parts in an extra transport for the pilots to hot swap on the battlefield. I'll take control of one and Varrick, you'll have the other.

VARRICK

Whoa whoa, lady! No way I'm touching that death trap I just built.

MAKO

(irritated)

Varrick, you slimy...

ZHULI steps forward.

ZHULI

(to Asami)

Mam, I would like to volunteer as one of the operators. I am proficient with the battle suit control systems, and...and the United Republic is my home. I want to do my part.

VARRICK

Damn it Zhuli! Now I have to come along too! Got to keep you safe.

ZHULI

(stunned by this selflessness)

Sir?

VARRICK

What? Do you know how long it would take me to train a new assistant?

ASAMI

(to Zhuli)

Right, you're with me.

(to metalbender cop)

Baatar is to stay here under guard. He's still a prisoner of war and...

(turns)

Dad? What are you doing?

HIROSHI is climbing up onto one of the converted Mech suits, looking into the cockpit.

HIROSHI

(half to himself)

They still use the control scheme I designed for the first Mechatanks. I suppose good engineering can even overcome the stigma of a traitor.

(turns back)

Asami, I am coming with you. Mister Varrick is right, these vehicles are likely develop catastrophic faults at any moment. You will need every bit of help out there. And I have so much more to make up for.

(sad smile)

ASAMI

Dad...

MAKO

Great, everyone on the trucks right now! Asami, radio it in!

ASAMI

Right!

(grabs radio)

Korra, we've got it! It's just going to take us a little while to get to you.

EXT. NANFANG OUTSKIRT BUILDING

LIN stands in the upper floor of a building holding a radio pack and its microphone.

LIN

(into radio)

That's great news. And not so great news.

Explosions sound out. The view shifts to see that the entire facade of this building has long since been torn off. LIN is standing at the edge off the crumbling floor next to the view of this borough below.

ASAMI

(on radio)

Beifong? Where's Korra? What's your position?

More destruction erupts over the roofs as KORRA is still fighting the colossus.

LIN

You know what? You'll find us.

EXT. NANFANG OUTSKIRTS

Earth Empire ground troops are fleeing from the backsplash of an Avatar going all out against a colossus that does not seem to care about them anymore. A huge spirit weapon scar has even ripped apart the wall of a zoo and the panicked animals are joining the soldiers in fleeing In the street they pass BOLIN and the Metal-bender cops who walk forward down the middle of this street towards the battle. A confused animal in the street disrupts their dramatic walk but it scurries off. Above, the Air Nation converges on their bison for an attack.

BOLIN and the metal benders rip apart a building with lava and metal-bending to send it tumbling down on the colossus as the Airbenders swoop and strike. The air-benders finish their attack run and turn to get away.

KAI

(on his bison)

Whoo! Jinora, that was awesome!

(sees the spirit canon tracking towards them)

Looks like she's trying for us again! Fine! I can let Korra have a break! Have Kuvira shoot at someone else for while!

JINORA

Kai, watch out!

KAI sends his bison on a rapid swooping, veering dive, avoiding the cannon.

KAI

(Leaning forward and gripping the reigns with a grin)

Let's give her a challenge! We'll make it so Kuvira spends her time-!

The spirit cannon fires up into the air.

The near miss sends JINORA and her bison tumbling on the disrupted air. As they right, JINORA rubs her arm against her eyes, trying to clear the blinding flash. Then her sight clears and KAI and his bison are both gone. The building that was behind them now has a glowing slice carved out of it.

JINORA

Kai!

(looks around)

Kai?!

(looks at the smoking building, frantic)

Kai!

The colossus continues to stomp through the city.

EXT. NANFANG STREETS

The two trucks carrying the jury-rigged spider tanks race north through the almost deserted city. MAKO is driving one with ASAMI and HIROSHI in the back with the machine on the flatbed.

WU

(on the radio)

...another update from your friendly neighborhood Earth King, Wu Huoting. In the northern outskirts of the city the Avatar and Kuvira are fighting in a cataclysmic confrontation! Wait, Kuvira just fired off another blast of her magic weapon...

ASAMI

(leans forward to the truck cabin)

Is Wu still on the radio?

MAKO

(shrugs)

Yeah, I think he likes it. And I doubt anyone is still looking for his broadcasts so he's safer than us.

Explosions in the distance. ASAMI get back in a more secure position on the truck-bed.

VARRICK

(from the other truck)

We're driving towards that? This is insane! How much to heroes get paid, anyway?

ZHULI says something to him lost in noise.

VARRICK

(outraged)

What?!

HIROSHI

(to Asami)

I wish I could make you turn away. Go somewhere safe.

ASAMI

(working)

Just focus on making sure these machines do what we need them to do.

HIROSHI

(shakes his head with a sad smile)

I recognize I have no control over you. I have earned none. Asami, all I want is you to be happy. I want you to make your own life. Find someone to make it with. Find whatever makes you happy and hold on to it for as long as you possibly can.

ASAMI

Dad, I...There are other people for me to worry about.

(looks at the machines)

Did you test the electro-magnets again once we installed them?

HIROSHI

(Looking at Asami)

Your mother would have been so proud of you.

MAKO

Empire roadblock up ahead.

ASAMI

Shoot! Um, if we slow down we can-

MAKO

No time! I have an idea.

Empire metal-benders are patching the bridge Bolin helped destroy. They see the two trucks speeding towards them and start to move into attack position.

MAKO

(leans out of driver's window holding his police badge)

Police! Police! Make a hole!

The empire soldiers jerk in reflexive startlement and jump back, allowing the trucks to speed over the newly partially patched bridge.

EMPIRE METAL-BENDER

(moment of confusion)

Wait. Why did we just...do that?

(looks at his fellows)

Uh, they snuck by us, got it? Stealthily.

The other soldiers nod, embarrassed.

Back in the truck MAKO smirks at ASAMI.

MAKO

All soldiers were civilians first.

ASAMI

(unable to muster up much praise in this tension)

Yeah, good trick. Keep driving!

EXT. NANFANG OUTSKIRTS

The colossus smashes buildings as Kuvira tries to crush KORRA. KORRA ducks into hiding, panting heavily. The avatar state fades from her eyes as her body is too tired to maintain it.

The colossus continues to advance, lashing out at Korra's allies.

INT. COLLOSUSS CONTROL ROOM

KUVIRA

Load and fire again!

EXT. NANFANG OUTSKIRTS

The next beam goes wild, ripping through buildings and exploding near an Empire Army detachment watching over UR troops and a large group of evacuees. People scream as the explosions erupt.

EMPIRE ARMY CAPTAIN

That beam hit us and the civilians! Radio command! Confirm our position!

EMPIRE LIEUTENANT

The colossus is not responding to hails, sir!

Nearby a captive, the United Republic GENERAL storms forward.

EMPIRE GUARD

Prisoner, halt!

GENERAL

(pushes past)

Can it, soldier!

(continues)

Captain! Your Great Uniter is firing on prisoners of war and thousands of evacuees!

CAPTAIN

I know! We can't reach command!

(looks at the smoke and screaming people)

Screw it. We need to move now, guide the civilians. You! General! Get your men back in your vehicles and assist us in getting all these civilians out of the combat zone.

GENERAL

(suspicious and impressed)

You're rearming my forces? Against your orders?

CAPTAIN

I really don't care right now! Just get those people moving quickly or we're all dead!

After a brief suspicious moment, the GENERAL smiles and nods mutual respect.

EXT. EDGE OF NANFANG

Here the land is sloping up to a hill and buildings are giving way to a belts of trees. ASAMI and her crew arrive near the colossus with their inventions. Unveiled, the machines on the backs of the trucks look like tread-footed four legged spider tanks. As MAKO steps down the radio is playing WU's voice again.

WU

(on radio)

All right loyal listeners, I got some binoculars but I'm not seeing all those massive Avatar Korra fireblasts anymore. But Kuvira's not making any crowing announcements and is still racing towards Republic City so the Avatar must still be out there somewhere. Good and right will triumph!

In the main battle street, all the allied forces attack at once as a distraction. KORRA goes back on the offensive, though without the Avatar state. BOLIN and MAKO are with LIN and her metal-benders. OPAL, JINORA, TENZIN and the air-benders attack from above. Once the colossus is distracted the two spider tanks drive out from around a corner, trailing cables, and approach the nearest leg of the giant machine.

ASAMI

(inside spider tank)

Now climb! Engage magnets!

The first spider tank lifts its front tread-feet to meet the side of the colossus leg. Magnets in the center of each foot-tread engage and lock on, allowing the tread to drive them up the metal. Then the left magnet immediately fails for a second before reengaging.

VARRICK

Well, that's not good!

ZHULI slams the controls forward anyway, sending the tank climbing up the side of the colossus. ASAMI and HIROSHI follow in their machine.

INT. COLOSSUS CONTROL ROOM

TECHNICIAN

Something's climbing up the left rear leg! Two machines!

KUVIRA

Remove them. Destroy them. They can not stop us from getting within sight of their capitol. Once we have a firing line on Republic City we win.

EXT. EDGE OF NANFANG

The spider tanks manage to avoid the first attempt by the colossus to crush them or sweep them off. Their power cables down to the ground detach.

ASAMI

We're on internal power now! Go quickly!

They reach the body and start up their cutting torches. Unfortunately they are interrupted by more attempts to kill them.

VARRICK

It takes too long to cut a hole. We're sitting ducks!

ASAMI

(half to herself)

We need a distraction. Korra will give it to us.

KORRA

(watching from a relative distance)

Ok. Distraction.

(breaths)

Yeah, I can do that.

KORRA pauses for a moment to control her heavy breathing, holding her hands in meditative posture. Then she opens her eyes into the Avatar state.

Up above, TENZIN sees this.

TENZIN

Now! Now! Give it everything you've got!

LIN

(to her fighters)

Come on! My blind old mother could hit that thing!

The fiercest joint offensive commences.

VARRICK

(focusing on the cutting torch)

All right, now we're making progress! Just a few more-

He looks up to see a colossus foot sweeping toward them with unavoidable speed.

VARRICK

(dazed)

Zhuli?

ZHULI

(looking at the same thing)

Sir?

VARRICK

(dazed)

Do the thing.

Their spider tank gets punted off the side of the colossus. It spins in the air towards a crash but then the cabin canopy bursts off and both seats eject, launching parachutes to cushion the fall. VARRIK and ZHULI have escaped.

The distraction forces manage to restrain several of the colossus legs in ice, metal cables, stone, or melted rock. TENZIN is injured but JINORA catches him and the rest continue.

HIROSHI

(in spider tank)

That's it. We have almost cut through.

ASAMI

(beside him)

Just a few more seconds then get ready to move. Ten, nine...

One of the colossus legs breaks free of its confinement. HIROSHI notices this while ASAMI is focused on the torch cutting.

ASAMI

...Eight, seven...

HIROSHI grabs the eject handle.

HIROSHI

Asami, let go!

ASAMI

(startled, but lets go of the controls)

What?

HIROSHI pulls the eject cord and ASAMI's seat is launched out of the spider tank. The colossus leg swings up towards the tank.

HIROSHI

(concentrating on controls)

Two, one. Cut complete!

He puts his hand down on the second eject handle. In that instant the colossus foot comes crashing down on his position, crushing the spider-tank. The remaining cutting torch fuel explodes, sending fire out from the edges of the foot. Broken machine parts rain down.

ASAMI's ejection chair flies back through the air as she watches this.

ASAMI

(anguished scream)

No!

From across the battlefield KORRA's head snaps around and she blasts off in that direction, even as the Avatar state light is fading from her eyes, Asami's parachute deploys but it catches an edge of a building and does not unfurl. ASAMI is about to impact a surface when KORRA erupts into view and catches her, propelled by a swirling cushion of air.

The rest of the allies have converged in a spot with a view of the colossus.

LIN

(points to the hole)

Hiroshi Sato did it. We have our way in.

KORRA lowers ASAMI down onto the ground.

ASAMI

Now's your chance! Go!

KORRA opens her mouth as if she is about to say something then nods and launches off. Only when KORRA has turned around does ASAMI break down completely in grief.

KORRA, BOLI, MAKO, OPAL, and LIN arrive in the hole at the same time.

WU

(on nondiagetic radio)

Brave people of the United Republic, do not be afraid. I know that justice will prevail. A great cop once told me that the sacrifice is the surest sign of greatness. In that, your sacrifice is not in vain. Today you are all great.

INT. COLOSSUS CORRIDOR WITH HOLE

KORRA immediately reaches out and crumples some delicate looking collosus components into scrap with metal-bending.

KORRA

Kuvira's at the very front of this thing. I'm going for her. I've seen that window and I remember the diagram Baatar drew.

MAKO

(nods)

He said the spirit energy reactor is the heart of this. If we can take that down this whole machine fails.

BOLIN and OPAL nod and move over to MAKO.

LIN

I'll hold the exit.

MAKO

Chief, you sure? Your bending still isn't at full strength since Amon and-

LIN flicks her hand and a small metal blade appears, held impossibly firmly between her index and middle finger. In context it looks very dangerous.

LIN

For these tight corridors I'm strong enough.

(raises an eyebrow at their expressions)

Well? Don't you have something to do?

The infiltrators nod and take off in their two directions.

INT. COLOSSUS COMAND ROOM

TECHNICIAN

Breach confirmed! System failures spreading!

KUVIRA

(slams her fist down then points out the window)

She's inside. Full speed! Get us up this hill. Get the spirit cannon a line of sight on Republic City. We'll hold the whole capitol hostage! The Avatar will have to leave! Their lives are her weakness!

INT. COLOSSUS HALLWAY

Empire soldiers run to intercept the boarders.

EXT. HILLSIDE

The colossus strides forward up the hill, but some of its legs are not moving as smoothly as before. They catch and jerk, though they still function.

INT. COLOSSUS CORE

MAKO, BOLIN, and OPAL run through the hallways. OPAL's airbending takes out the first soldier. MAKO takes out the second with fire. In these confined metal hallways their bending styles have an advantage as the fights continue.

BOLIN

Ok, I don't know machines. How do we even know what the reactor looks like to...?

He opens a door to see a massive ball of pulsing green vines sparking with purple electricity suspended in a glass tube between machines in the middle of a large circular room.

BOLIN

Um, never mind.

Empire technicians scramble for safety as Empire metal-benders jump into the attack. OPAL, MAKO, and BOLIN fight in the circular chamber around the reactor. BOLIN throws two fist sized rocks out of his pockets and melts them down into a molten disk that he uses as a slicing weapon.

INT. COLOSSUS COMMAND ROOM

The lights of very distant Republic City are starting to come into sight over the crest of the hill.

TECHNICIAN

Anomalies in the reactor room!

KUVIRA

Take direct control of those systems!

(gritted teeth, turns to window)

Just a little more.

There are thumps and sounds from the room below the command room. Empire metal benders ready their stances trained on the hatch.

KUVIRA

Ready the spirit cannon and prepare to fire on my-

The hatch explodes upwards as KORRA bursts into the room, instantly taking on every combatant at once.

INT. COLOSSUS REACTOR

OPAL races along vertical walls and bounces around the celling as she fights with airbending. MAKO and BOLIN fall into smooth back-to-back fighting, playing off each others strengths and weaknesses perfectly. When a stray attack breaks the containment chamber around the vine orb, each little hit elicits a large discharge of arcing electricity from the vine orb. Then, right when victory is almost achieved, BOLIN catches a metal blade in his side.

BOLIN

(pain)

Ah!

The last enemy goes down. OPAL and MAKO rush to BOLIN's side.

OPAL

(putts pressure on the wound)

He's losing blood.

BOLIN

(through gritted teeth)

Yeah, still here guys. We still need to shut down this generator.

MAKO runs over the control panels. He slams down several levers.

MAKO

It's not working! This is what Baatar said would do it!

OPAL

(gently but frantic to keep Bolin lucid)

Bolin. Bolin, did Varrick ever tell you anything else about this spirit technology? He invented it, you were with him, maybe-

BOLIN

(groans in pain)

Nothing. I don't know anything. All I saw is that the spirit plants overload and explode if you get the electricity stuff wrong so be careful with what you try.

MAKO

(suddenly calm)

Opal, get him out.

(looks back at generator)

I'll take care of this.

BOLIN

(shouts then jerks in pain)

No!

MAKO

Not a vote this time. Opal?

OPAL

Right.

(helps BOLIN stand up)

BOLIN

(to Mako)

For the record, I do not approve. Just...just get out in time. Break this thing then run, promise?

MAKO

Promise.

BOLIN takes a staggering step forward and holds up his arm. MAKO clasps it in his own and draws in for as close of a hug as they can manage.

BOLIN

I love you.

MAKO

I love you too. Now go!

OPAL leads BOLIN out.

MAKO turns on the reactor. He slowly sinks into a precise martial arts stance. Then he begins to slowly move through the motions of lightning-bending as electricity begins to spark around his outstretched fingers.

INT. COLOSSUS CORRIDOR WITH HOLE

LIN leans against a wall appreciating the view of nature outside the hole. The sun is setting and a gentle breeze wafts past her hair. Several empire soldiers are piled at her feet.

INT. COLOSSUS COMAND ROOM

KORRA takes the Empire metal-benders down in seconds. Then she is just left fighting KUVIRA. In the relatively small space, KORRA's greater bending strength can not come into as much play, and there is not much water or non-metal earth. Also, KORRA is exhausted. Right now KORRA and KUVIRA seem evenly matched.

KUVIRA once more uses the metal plates incorporated into her uniform to make blades and whips. Then just like before she lands a metal band which wraps around KORRA's eyes like a blindfold. KUVIRA smirks and dashes around to go for a deadly stab. But KORRA, though blinded, smirks right back and stamps her foot on the metal floor before turning to block the attack perfectly. KUVIRA is astonished at KORRA fighting blind. Toph's technique is coming in handy.

The blindfold flies off her eyes with a flex of her hands and the fight continues. KUVIRA is on the defensive.

INT. COLOSSUS REACTOR

MAKO continues the circular motions of his smooth lightning generation technique. Then he thrusts out one arm forward and one back, from his forward fingers a bolt of lighting arcs out to hit the ball of spirit vines in the generator. The dials on the generator controls climb up and then burst. The room starts going crazy but MAKO concentrates, maintaining the flow of lighting, drawing smaller thread of electricity from the metal behind him and purifying it through his body into a massive bolt. Feedback electricity from the generator blasts him, burning his firing arm but still he continues. Alarms are blaring.

Some of the downed Empire personnel are getting up, but none want to stay in this hellscape of a room and so do not mess with MAKO. Then MAKO lets his attack wink out and the generator continues to deteriorate as alarms scream. He begins to run for the door but a stray bolt of discharge from the generator strikes him and brings him down to the floor, unconscious.

The last Empire metal-bender is about to make it out of the room until he looks back at MAKO collapsed on the floor. The soldier runs back and lifts him up, dragging him out of the generator room.

INT. COLOSSUS COMAND ROOM

KORRA and KUVIRA continue to fight as warning lights flash on every remaining console. KORRA begins to win. Then the sounds of approaching explosions begin shaking the room. KORRA reacts and quickly starts swirling air around herself.

EXT. COLOSSUS ON HILLTOP

JINORA swoops down on her bison towards the hole cut in the side of the colossus in time to grab LIN, BOLIN, and OPAL. Down below, Empire soldiers can be seen fleeing the machine.

Then, as the bison rises away, the colossus is ripped apart by powerful explosions.

The way it breaks apart, the front command portion, the spirit cannon and a few other large pieces land forward and end up sliding a bit down the hill. The rest of the pieces land on the top of the hill.

EXT. HILLTOP WRECKAGE

JINORA's bison lands nearby. On the ground off to the side, a bit of metal wreckage bends back to reveal the Empire metal-bender and unconscious MAKO shielded within. Then the Empire metal-bender collapses backwards from exhaustion and adrenaline.

EXT. FORWARD WRECKAGE

The command room stops sliding down the slope and KORRA lets her orb of swirling air die down. As she does she falls forward out the shattered front window down onto the ground. She rolls a bit, then really struggles finding the strength to even get back up on her hands and knees. Republic City is visible in the distance.

KORRA

(to herself, panting and grunting with exhaustion)

Huh. Errh. Yep, that's enough.

She manages to stagger back up to her feet. She looks around for Kuvira. Half of the broken spirit reactor lies nearby a little uphill, near a larger bit of wreckage attached to the spirit cannon. The broken ball of vines from the reactor is still sparking with purple electricity and is now periodically belching out massive newly grown tendrils of thick vines. It is very out of whack.

KORRA

(calls out)

Kuvira?

Then she sees KUVIRA uphill, messing around in the wreckage near the fallen spirit cannon and the broken generator.

KORRA

(exasperated)

Oh, come on.

She heads towards KUVIRA. KUVIRA is now lifting the end of one of the newly grown spirit vines for some reason.

KORRA

Kuvira! It's over! Surrender and we can end this!

KUVIRA spins around and kicks out a weak earth-bending attack of a single rock. KORRA blocks it with her hand and shatters it to dust.

KORRA

Kuvira, let this be over.

KUVIRA

(filled with hate and desperation)

Never.

KUVIRA thrusts the length of vine projecting from the broken generator into the slot on the spirit cannon where the ammunition cartridges went. Instantly both the spirit cannon and the generator begin to glow. KORRA notices that the cannon landed pointed in the general direction of Republic City.

KORRA

No!

KUVIRA slams forward the firing lever, but just at the last second KORRA bends up a spike of earth under the barrel of the gun, sending the beam up into the sky. But, plugged into the generator, the beam does not stop firing. Roaring in rage, KUVIRA earth-bends as well, knocking the cannon sideways to aim the beam at KORRA who barely avoids it.

But something is seriously wrong. The cannon and the generator are reacting to each other. Newly manifested vines are now shooting out of both the spirit cannon and the broken generator, tons of them linking together. The writhing, growing mass starts twisting the still firing cannon in random directions. The beam is wrecking devastation everywhere.

KORRA

Shut it down!

KUVIRA

I can't!

(loses her grip on the controls)

Ah!

The twisting of the spirit cannon on its bed of giant growing vines throws KURVIRA off. She lands on the ground as the beam quickly swings around towards her. Lying there, KUVIRA surrenders to her fate and closes her eyes as the all-destroying beam draws near.

Then, at the last moment, KORRA lands in front of her, her eyes blazing with light. KORRA thrusts out her hands and somehow blocks the full force of the beam. Arcane patterns glow into existence across her chest and back as the ground and the air shudder with the energy of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. KUVIRA watch in fear and wonder. Then they both fade into an all consuming light.

EXT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS

From that point on the hillside, a massive perfect dome of swirling purple energy swiftly grows, expanding from that one point and carrying along with it a quiet wave of destruction. It swiftly grows to envelope the hill and the ruined colossus.

JINORA quickly guides her bison down to duck behind an outcropping in the hope to be shielded by the rolling explosion. In the saddle LIN grips onto the sides with MAKO while OPAL holds her body in front of BOLIN

Elsewhere, Empire soldiers run for cover.

Down the hill ASAMI is driving a truck up the road toward the colossus fight. Then she sees the approaching explosion and ducks down behind the dash as the front window explodes.

BAATAR and WU watch out the window from Wu's broadcast point in Nanfang city.

In Republic City PRESIDENT CHANG and PEMMA watch the same slowly expanding energy explosion in the distance.

Then the energy bubble bursts into a tremendous shockwave and single bright beam of yellow light stabs up from the former center. Most of the hill where Korra and Kuvira were is now a perfect crater. The crater is covered by a bed of spirit vines. Fade out.

EXT. SPIRIT WORLD

Fade in. KUVIRA lies crumpled on the ground, resting on a bed of thick grass. Then she jerks up and looks around. She is surrounded by a fantastical landscape of amazing and surreal beauty. Then she turns around and sees KORRA standing above her, in front of a beam of light from the ground to the sky, glow in her eyes and arcane patterns across her chest.

KUVIRA

(terrified)

Where are we?

Colorful spirits poke their heads out of hiding from behind twisted rocks and then float up into the sky, fleeing this incursion.

KORRA

(Avatar voice)

This is the spirit world.

KUVIRA

Am...am I dead? Is this what happens when you die?

KORRA

(Avatar voice)

No. It is not your time to be reborn. We are both alive. The beam somehow tore open a portal between the worlds.

(gesture)

We have crossed the border body and soul together. It is something I thought impossible.

KUVIRA

(slightly hysterical)

Great. Just great. The living god is confused too.

KORRA lets go of the avatar state. The light fades from her eyes and her voice returns to normal.

KORRA

Kuvira. We can go back together. Before the portal closes. You just need to surrender.

KUVIRA

(bitter, defeated)

You won. You're stronger than I could ever hope to be. Why are you pretending to give me a choice? Just let me vanish.

KORRA

It's not about strength. And strength is not the same as power.

(trying to find the right words)

Choice still matters. Your choice still matters.

KUVIRA

(cycling through disjointed emotions)

I don't regret it, you know. My people needed me. The Earth Kingdom, they were bullied and ignored because they were weak. No one would help them so I made them strong. I was there, I helped them, where were you?! I was an orphan alone on the streets, I knew that feeling. How could I turn away from my family, my nation? I told them I would protect them, how could I abandon them?

KORRA

(soft, but firm)

I think I understand.

KUVIRA

(Quiet, bitter)

No you don't. People have proclaimed your worth since you were born. You've never felt like nothing.

KORRA

(ignores Kuvira's dig)

And I think I might have taken your same path. I know what it feels like to see people tearing themselves apart, stupid sins for stupid reasons, and then realize I have the strength to make them listen. Make everything right by force. I wanted to do that once.

(looks down at her hands)

Then I was injured. That forced me to learn. About struggle. About sacrifice. About strength and about love. We're more similar than you might think.

KUVIRA

(low, bitter laugh)

Then we're both idiots. I failed. And now I've lost everything.

For a moment they stay there in silence before the technicolor dreamscape of the spirit world.

KORRA

Baatar is alive.

KUVIRA

(Stunned, shaken)

What?

KORRA

Your husband is still alive. You did not kill him.

KUVIRA

(looking as if Korra had resurrected him in front of her)

What? No. No what, what are you saying...?

KORRA

(kneels beside Kuvira)

You're not the first to make these mistakes. Everything has been done before. But sometimes, just sometimes, things can be undone. The balance can be restored. Let this cycle of hate end. You still have your chance to shape the world for the better. And the world is still there, waiting for you to join it.

She holds out her hand.

EXT. CRATER - NIGHT

ASAMI, MAKO, LIN and other allies slowly stumble through the vine covered crater vaguely towards the beam of light in its exact center. Nearby, Empire soldiers wander in a similar searching daze. Faintly visible spirits drift in and out of sight.

ASAMI

We can see the spirits now. We all can.

MAKO

I wonder why. Why now? How?

LIN

(gestures vaguely)

Look around. Why any of this?

MAKO

(points)

There, in the light!

ASAMI

Korra!

KORRA and KUVIRA walk out of the beam in the center of the crater. The beam begins to waver and flicker before winking out behind them. The vague shape of the spirit cannon can be seen nearby, covered in vines and somehow spared the destruction that ruined everything else.

Empire soldiers begin to rush forward, drawing their weapons, but then KUVIRA takes a step forward away from KORRA.

KUVIRA

Soldiers! Countrymen! I surrender to the Avatar. I willing submit myself to her justice.

She falls forward onto her knees and bows her head. There is a moment of stunned silence and then the soldiers fall to their knees too.

KUVIRA

It's over.

Korra's friends move in. ASAMI rushes in to hug her.

KORRA

Asami. There's something I need to ask you.

(leans in close to her face to whisper)

I'm about to pass out. Help me get someplace where that won't risk restarting a war.

ASAMI sways slightly as she is suddenly supporting most of Korra's weight. They walk off together as LIN and the others take control of Kuvira.