Chapter Text

EXT. AIR TEMPLE ISLAND - THE MORNING KORRA LEFT

Harsh cut back to foggy Air Temple Island on that chilly mourning almost three years ago. The music starts on a new song with a building underlying drum beat, erasing any native sound from the following scenes.

ASAMI, MAKO, BOLIN, OPAL, JINORA, TENZIN, PEMMA, and LIN are still standing on the dock as Korra's ship pulls out into the bay. ASAMI waves with a smile, then brings her hand to her mouth as a bit of sadness chokes through.

The well-wishers turn as they begin to walk away up the dock. They separate.

EXT. WALL OF BA SING SE - SUMMER

LIN and her sister SUYIN stand on a huge, impossibly tall stone wall looking out over a vast city from which columns of smoke are rising. The music continues.

The green and yellow circle symbol of the Earth Kingdom is everywhere. Down in the dusty streets far below, crowds of angry citizens are pushing against soldiers in dirty green uniforms of the Earth Kingdom who are trying to hold them back. Then one of the soldiers hits one of the civilians and the rest of the soldiers respond to the escalated violence.

SUYIN, dressed in her metal armor, turns away from this view with a weary sorrowful expression. She now faces the Zaofu branded Airships tied up to the wall, as metal armored Zaofu soldiers move near to get aboard, approaching from each direction along the wall as well as rising up the sheer face on cables. Up in the doorway of SUYIN's airship stand the rest of her family including OPAL and BAATAR.

As soon as SUYIN takes her first step onto the airship ramp a high ranking officer, KUVIRA, rushes forward yelling and gesturing for the soldiers to stop. KUVIRA comes to a halt below SUYIN, meeting her eyes as KUVIRA frantically waves back to indicate at the vast city behind her. SUYIN only shakes her head. KUVIRA falls down onto her knees, pleading for SUYIN to stay and help. For a moment SUYIN pauses, but then she turns and walks up the ramp without a word.

KUVIRA leaps to her feet and screams furiously at SUYIN. KUVIRA slams her fist against her armored chest and the Zaofu soldiers on the wall begin to stop and exchange looks between themselves. Then KUVIRA shouts one last bitter invective that finally gets to SUYIN. SUYIN shouts back, pointing and ordering her soldiers to arrest KUVIRA. The soldiers on the wall exchange one more look and then very pointedly do nothing. They step back from the airship.

Behind SUYIN, BAATAR has been growing increasingly angry at his mother's behavior. Now he storms down the airship ramp and goes to stand beside KUVIRA, looking back in defiance. SUYIN sags, defeated. She turns around with tears in her eyes as as OPAL touches her arm to comfort her.

The Zaofu airships detach and lift off from the wall, flying away from the chaotic city and leaving behind KUVIRA, BAATAR and some of the Zaofu soldiers. Behind them the columns of black smoke still thread up into the sky.

REPUBLIC CITY - WINTER

It's lightly snowing in Republic City as MAKO stands in attention in a line of other police officers to receive a promotion. LIN walks down the line, shaking their hands one by one. BOLIN and OPAL are in the small crowd watching this outdoor ceremony. Then there is a sound from outside the police compound and everyone turns to look.

In the street outside, a slow moving convoy of refugees are making their way into the city. There are massively overladen cars and animal drawn carts equally piled with possessions. The people are wearing the shades of the Earth Kingdom and share a similar dirty, tired, and haunted look. Small groups of well dressed Republic City citizens stand off to the side whispering to each other, OPAL grips BOLIN's hand tighter as they both are upset by this sight.

INT. SATO INDUSTRIES WAREHOUSE - WINTER

ASAMI pours over a huge map of the world and its countries. She traces her finger from Republic City in the United Republic along various dotted red lines through the Earth Kingdom to several spots that are circled. She looks tired and she stands up to turn and look at a convoy of trucks being loaded up with supplies. The supplies are stamped with alternating UR and Fire Nation logos. Along one wall are a row of Sato Industry produced mechatanks. Just outside the warehouse a crowd of refugees are waiting for handouts of blankets and other essentials from the warehouse staff. BOLIN walks up beside ASAMI to stand near her and watch this sight with an uncharacteristically serious expression, his arms folded.

ASAMI turns away and looks out the open rear of the warehouse to the bay and the open ocean beyond. She stares into the distance wistfully.

EXT. BA SING SE STREETS- WINTER

KUVIRA and her metal armored soldiers are fighting through city streets trying to regain control of the fractured metropolis. Her soldiers are expert earth-benders, even capable of manipulating metal, but some of the people they are fighting are earth-benders too and those who aren't still have deadly crossbows and swords.

KUVIRA, with her personal group of soldiers and one mechatank, push forward into a square where another group of soldiers has been cut off. BAATAR is there leaning against the treads of a disabled mechatank, holding tight onto his injured arm. KUVIRA rushes forward to check on him but they both hear an enemy advance moving towards them down one of the other streets. Her soldiers are tired but KUVIRA and the rest stand together, preparing to fight.

Then a lone newcomer, BOLIN, runs up from behind them. He shouts at KUVIRA's people to move back then thrusts his fists down at the ground. The street before them cracks and splits before melting into a pool of lava. This very quickly halts the advancing enemy forces. Then BOLIN punches out and a small wave of the lava splashes towards the enemy forcing them back still further. KUVIRA looks at BOLIN with disbelieving gratitude. BOLIN returns a cheerful wink.

EXT. AIR TEMPLE ISLAND -SPRING

It is a bright warm day in Republic City's bay and the trees are flowering. TENZIN and JINORA walk before a line of air-benders including OPAL in their traditional training costumes, standing in the middle of a wide area that is also filled with a number of flying bison wearing saddles. TENZIN says one last thing and then all the air-benders make wind assisted jumps up onto the backs of the bison.

OPAL watches as TENZIN and JINORA each jump up onto their own bison. Then at a signal, all the flying herd take off from Air Temple Island. They rise into the sky, heading off inland in different directions.

EXT. EARTH KINGDOM TOWN - SUMMER

Ba Sing Se's outer wall looms in the hazy summer distance behind the town as crowds of local residents stand cheering on the sides of the main street. People are waving Earth Kingdom flags as well as Kuvira's personal banner. A column of soldiers march in front followed by gap in the parade featuring a small motorcade of a few large convertible cars decorated with the new flag draped over their sides. BOLIN rides in the rear car while KUVIRA stands in the front car, soaking in the adulation of the crowd.

Following in the parade behind them are a lot of mechatanks and then even more marching soldiers.

EXT. ZAOFU - AUTUMN

SUYIN stands at the edge of one of the "flower" segments that make up the metal city of Zaofu, with a hard expression on her face. She watches down the valley as the other segments of the city each close the petals of their metal domes. OPAL is standing behind her.

INT. REPUBLIC CITY COUNCIL ROOM

There is a high dais where the coalition of world leaders from the Water Tribe, Fire Empire, PRESIDENT CHANG of the United Republic, and TENZIN of the Air Nation stand looking down at the audience. KUVIRA stands before them in military posture with her hands behind her back and a shiny new medal pinned to her chest. The world leaders nod to her and she bows in reply. Then the leaders turn around and start looking over a map of the Earth Kingdom together, sketching out imaginary lines and pointing to parts of it like they are dividing up the country between them. Behind their backs, KUVIRA's expression darkens.

INT. REPUBLIC CITY CRIME DEN - WINTER

It is snowing over distinctive landmarks in the distance as MAKO and several other cops prepare to burst in through a door.

Inside, the door blasts inward with a rush of fire, followed quickly by MAKO. The next thing we see, several people are being marched out in handcuffs as MAKO surveys the inside of the room, holding a ball of fire in his hand for light. There are pictures of Kuvira, copies of her flag and the Earth Kingdom flag, a map of the world with the Earth Kingdom dark green and the UR striped in the same color, and stacks of weapons. MAKO frowns.

INT. AIR TEMPLE ISLAND - WINTER

TENZIN has his own big map now. He and JINORA stand in front of it pointing to various locations and giving orders to the group of air-benders in front of them, including OPAL. The air-benders are now wearing sleek modern uniforms instead of the traditional garb. They stand in evenly spaced rows at military-like attention. The air-benders bow in rigid unison. Outside the trees are dusted with snow.

EXT. RETAKEN EARTH KINGDOM CITY - SPRING

ASAMI steps off the train in an Earth Kingdom city near a dry mountain range. Some of the buildings show the signs of battle damage but they are being patched and Kuvira's banner is everywhere. ASAMI tucks a folded piece of paper back into her jacket. A small group of people are standing there waiting to greet her. They bow to her and gesture proudly off behind them where a large factory stands very near the tracks. The hanger doors are open showing bustling work inside and there are several of Kuvira's soldiers stationed on each side.

ASAMI nods to her employees but then turns to look in the other direction. Over there more soldiers are loading weapons up onto a different train. On flatbed cars there are large bulky shapes covered in tarps. One of the tarps is our of place, revealing what looks like a large metal leg of some machine until the tarp is tucked back in place. Nearby large columns of soldiers in green uniforms are training in unison.

ASAMI looks worried. Almost as an unconscious gesture she pulls the folded paper out once more. The smoothed wrinkles on the paper show that this has been done many times. Her thumb runs absently over the characteristic ink smudge that shows it is Korra's letter. Then she comes to her senses and replaces the letter in her pocket without looking at it. She turns to walk into the factory.

EXT. SKY OVER EMPTY BATTLEFIELD - SUMMER

TENZIN rides his flying bison up in the sky. He frowns as he looks down at a landscape furrowed with twisted earth, craters, disabled trucks and tanks, shattered farm houses, and smoking burn scars. He pulls the reigns and his bison makes a wide sweeping turn through the air away from where a large moving column of dust rises in the distance.

The music comes to an end. Normal sound returns.

INT. ASAMI'S OFFICE

ASAMI sits at a huge desk in an giant opulent office. The chair is currently swiveled 90 degrees so that she is half-facing the huge floor-to-ceiling window above the skyline of Republic City. She is deep in thought. In this office she looks dwarfed and isolated. Then she turns back to the desk and addresses the man standing on the other side, VARRICK.

ASAMI

I'm afraid, Mister Varrick, that Sato Industries is going to pass on investing in your company.

VARRICK turns around from poking at a presentation poster his assistant ZHULI has set up on an easel.

VARRICK

(raises his hands)

Ok look, I know you've been rolling in it from supplying all those peacekeeping missions to the Earth Kingdom and all the reconstruction stuff. But there's still money to be made on raw resources before the Kingdom gets its act back together and General Kuvira rolls through with her unification. The smart move is to snap up what you can now.

(Gestures vaguely to ZHULI)

Zhuli! The thing!

(As the posters are quickly swapped)

Now, this strip mine down in Yi province is absolutely, but for the moment not legally, a steal and with an investment from you we can get it making buckets of money in just-

ASAMI

Varrick.

(stands and glances at the clock)

I've already given my answer. I'm not interested. And now, if you will forgive me I have a very long delayed appointment to get to.

ASAMI walks out of the office, leaving behind VARRICK who writhes in highly animated frustration and ZHULI who is hurriedly folding up the presentation supplies.

Outside the office, ASAMI nods to her ASSISTANT, a young water tribe woman around her age.

ASAMI

Have the car out front.

ASSISTANT

Right away, Miss Sato.

ASAMI moves towards the elevator but VARRICK is suddenly at her arm again, once more bursting with cheerful energetic expressions.

VARRICK

(conciliatory)

All right, you're all about heavy machinery and weapons and cars and the other stuff you're company makes. Don't want to get your hands dirty with rocks, I get that. But I've got another investment opportunity, more up your alley. Now, I didn't want to lead with this other offer 'cus I was sort of hoping I'd be able to use those mine profits to run this new thing myself but I've got something else in the works.

(Puts his hand to his mouth in dramatic conspiratorial fashion)

I'm on the verge of a technological breakthrough. World changing and I'm being literal.

Despite her natural instincts, ASAMI is intrigued. She stops in front of the elevator to look back at VARRICK.

VARRICK

(grins)

I'm going to turn the gods into electricity.

ASAMI immediately turns away and gets in the opening elevator, swiftly closing it before VARRICK can follow.

INT. FUTURE INDUSTRIES LOBBY

Down in the building lobby ASAMI exits the elevator and strides across the marble floor. The lobby is full of displays the products the company manufactures; train engines, cars, and electrical generators. Then VARRICK come bursting out of a door from a staircase and skids to a stop beside ASAMI who had briefly halted at this commotion.

VARRICK

(continuing as if he had never stopped)

You see, up till now the spirit world's been nearly impossible to study because it's, well, another world. But! There places out there across the globe where things sort blend. Touched by a great power, all that jazz. And now I've got spirit energy samples!

ASAMI continues to try to ignore him. This is difficult as half way across the lobby a panting ZHULI has managed to set up the presentation board again where VARRICK can use it in his pitch as they walk by.

EXT. REPUBLIC CITY STREET - DAY

ASAMI exits the front door finds a fancy limousine car waiting for her in front with the door to the back held open. She slips inside and lowers her head as she sighs in relief. Then doors clunk shut. Suddenly she jerks to attention as VARRICK's voice starts up again even as the car begins moving.

VARRICK

(Somehow in the car beside ASAMI)

So I noticed that certain plants seemed to grow across the border between our world and the spirit world. Zhuli! Do the thing!

ZHULI is now squeezed in the mid section of the rather large back of the car. At that signal she unfolds yet another presentation board that is miraculously cut to perfectly fit the odd angle it is forced into diagonal across the limo cabin with allowances for seats and ZHULI'S own legs.

VARRICK

(continuing as he pulls out a small glass tube with a bit of sparkling vine)

Actually got the first bit from where Avatar Korra had her big fight three years ago. You're friends with her, right? Lovely lady! Never met her. So I was tinkering with these samples and noticed amazing concentrations of perfectly balanced Chi energy, and I thought cha-ching! That's power there!

ASAMI

(very skeptical and more than a bit annoyed)

So you're going to be harvesting living spirits for electricity?

VARRICK

(excited)

Yes! Well, no. Not the thinky, talky spirits from the stories. Haven't figured out how to even see them, let alone keep them in the box. And there are a few bugs with my experiments on the spirit vines, like actually getting more electricity out than the machines put in. Also actual bugs. But that's were you come in! Not the bugs, but with a little more funding I could achieve something truly-

ASAMI

(Interrupts to project to the front of the car)

Driver? I think this is Mister Varrick's stop.

VARRICK

(glances out the window cheerfully)

Ooh, the zoo. I like the zoo.

(Turns back)

So Asami, can I call you Asami?

ASAMI looks back silently

VARRICK

(does not miss a beat)

So, Miss Sato. I went to your company first 'cus I thought you might appreciate the cutting edge. This is the same power the Avatar uses! Probably. And it's not like there won't be others willing to buy a piece of this.

ASAMI

(ingenuine smile)

Then I wish the best to you and them. Driver?

Outside, VARRICK and ZHULI spill out onto the sidewalk in a tumble of limbs and presentation materials. The car speeds off and VARRICK pops up to his feet.

VARRICK

(cheerful)

That almost went according to plan! Now, Zhuli, let's go look at some giant badgermoles! I like their stripes.

ZHULI staggers to her feet and gathers the dropped supply to go follow her boss as he strides off to the zoo entrance.

ZHULI

(to VARRICK)

Sir, you're still banned from this zoo!

EXT. REPUBLIC CITY TRAIN STATION - DAY

ASAMI gets out of her car and quickly spots MAKO a little ways off. She waves.

ASAMI

Mako!

MAKO is dressed in a black eastern suit and has his previously wild hair rigidly parted. However his acquired formality shows a crack when he sees ASAMI and he lets out a genuine smile. They come together in a brief friendly hug.

MAKO

Wow, Asami, it's been ages.

ASAMI

It has, hasn't it? We've both been busy I guess. Hey, I heard about the new promotion! Great for you!

MAKO

(not very enthusiastic)

Uh, yeah. Special police assignment. I've been entrusted with protecting the crown prince of the Earth Kingdom here in the city until his coronation.

ASAMI

That's amazing!

MAKO

(glumly)

Yeah. It's really not.

WU

(offscreen)

Mako!

MAKO winces. WU walks forward, a thin young man primped out in the most modern expensive fashions.

WU

We have to go back. I forgot my scarf at the salon. Or that woman stole it, you saw how she was eyeing it the whole time.

(sees Asami)

Well hello, who's this?

MAKO

(restrained grumbling as he gestures the introductions)

Asami Sato, meet Wu Huoting

WU

(self-effacing)

Please, just call me Prince Wu.

(slides in closer to Asami)

You know what, forget the manicurist. How about I use the rest of today to make you feel like a princess.

ASAMI

(with the most scathing look ever managed)

No.

WU

(subdued blink)

Ok then.

(cheerful again)

Mako! We're going back for my scarf!

MAKO

For the last time, no we're not. Korra's train is going to be here any minute.

WU

Hmm, I suppose it is proper for the soon-to-be-King to offer the Avatar a personal meeting. She did capture the man who killed my royal aunt. Of course she let the murder happen in the first place but we all make mistakes.

MAKO

(sarcastic)

I'm sure Korra will be grateful to hear that.

WU

(shrugs)

Eh, Aunt Queeny was a jerk. Still the Earth Kingdom needs its ruler. Just look at all those riots and chaos after she died! General Kuvira can't even get things safe enough for me to crowned in my own country.

They enter the main disembarking platform of the train station. A group of official looking people are already there, including TENZIN and his family as well as PRESIDENT CHANG and his police escort led by LIN.

ASAMI

(surprised)

President Chang!

PRESIDENT CHANG

Miss Sato. It's nice to see you again.

WU

(sliding in between President Chang and Tenzin)

Hey, it's a regular world leaders meeting here. United Republic, Earth Kingdom, Air Nation. So, what the plan after this? Drinks? Where we going?

TENZIN and PRESIDENT CHANG are not enthusiastic.

MAKO

(to LIN, quietly)

Chief Beifong, I didn't know you were going to be here.

LIN

The president decided to make a day of it. Besides, I remember the first time Korra arrived in this city. Keeping track of that kid is basically damage control.

A train pulls up to the station. They wait expectantly as the passengers begin to pile out. Korra does not emerge.

Then it is later and all the other passengers are gone but the welcoming party is still waiting. TENZIN comes down off the train.

TENZIN

(worried)

Korra's not onboard. According to them she never boarded this train at all. Another passenger says that they heard the Avatar had left the southern Water Tribe months ago. The conductor assumed she was already here in the city.

PRESIDENT CHANG

What?

PEMMA

Is she ok?

ASAMI

(worried)

But her last letter told me she was coming in today. Did something happen to her? This is the correct date, right?

MAKO

(frowns)

It's what Korra told us. But I'm not sure that means she was ever coming.

LIN

So the Avatar's in hiding, somewhere out in the world.

(sighs)

Just great.

EXT. YI PROVINCE TOWN MARKET STREET - DAY

The town lies in a broad green valley of farms and pastures between two rows of hills. The town itself rests on a gentle slope up from where a long band of train track lies along the flat valley floor. It shows signs of being an important ancient city that has not managed to benefit from modern growth and development. In fact a lot of degradation seems very recent.

Local people are going about their daily business in this old pre-auto street. Then there is the sound of engines in the distance and people suddenly look afraid. They rush off the street and shut their doors and window shutters.

An open-top jeep loaded with armed men drives up the narrow street, stopping in front of a shop. The mismatched, dangerous looking men jump out and walk towards the largest shop. The man who looks to be their leader, BANDIT LEADER, carries no weapon and wears an old stained Earth Kingdom military uniform with a new black emblem stamped over the yellow circle and square. He stamps his foot and thrust out his fist, sending a large chunk of paving stone crashing through the door.

Inside, the GROCER and GROCER'S SON cower behind their counter. The shelves are already mostly empty.

BANDIT LEADER

(smirking)

Well, what do ya know? It's tax season again.

The other bandits already picking up what foodstuffs there are and tossing them out into the jeep.

BANDIT

(looks at the poor selection)

Good thing we got here early. First pick!

GROCER

Please! It hasn't even been a month since last time! If Warlord Chao could just-

The BANDIT LEADER punches out his fists again and a spike of earth erupts through the floor to strike the GROCER. He falls back.

BANDIT LEADER

You don't get to tell Chao what he can and can't do. In fact...

(holds a hand to his ear)

Do you hear that? I think he just told me you don't get to have a shop any more.

The BANDIT LEADER plants his feet and sinks down into a powerful stance. The other bandits notice what he's doing and suddenly rush out of the shop, rather nervous. The BANDIT LEADER thrusts out his hands and the brick wall behind him rips apart. Then he collapses the whole building forward to fall away from him.

The BANDIT LEADER stands at the edge of the rubble laughing. Then he notices part of the pile of broken tiles is shifting. He waves his arm and the tiles slide away to reveal the GROCER and GROCER'S SON injured and battered but alive.

GROCER'S SON

Dad? Dad? It's ok. It's going to be ok. Don't worry. There's someone who's coming to help us. I've heard she's out there, roaming the country. One day soon she's going to show up on the horizon and then all these monsters are going to know justice.

(glares at bandits)

BANDIT LEADER

(Laughs)

You still think she's going to save you. Fairy tales. Well, guess what. No hero's coming here.

BANDIT LEADER lifts up GROCER'S SON and punches him in the gut before throwing him back down.

BANDIT LEADER

What do you have to say now?

GROCER'S SON

(in pain but defiant)

I still believe. I believe in her.

(looks up)

I believe Kuvira will save us all.

The BANDIT LEADER shakes his head, amused.

Then a low rumbling roar echoes out from somewhere. The bandits look around confused, until a large shadow swiftly passes over them.

High above in the sky, a huge flying bison sweeps through the air. It lets out another bellow. Two air-benders kneel in its saddle, vented masks over their mouths and goggles concealing their eyes. In unison, both leap out of the saddle and plummet head first towards the ground. As they fall, both reach their arms across their chests and then snap both arms out, revealing the transformation of their wing-suits as swirling gusts of air appear to give them lift.

BANDIT LEADER

(frightened)

Shoot them!

The other bandits rush to grab crossbows from the jeep and shoot them up in the sky. Only one air-bender even has to dodge. Then they both swoop down and perform a mid-air twist to toss down two grenades which explode into hazy smoke filling the street. The bandits in the smoke instantly start coughing as tears run down their faces.

One bandit falls down, coughing and incapacitated by the gas. Another raises his weapon trying to meet this threat, only to struck in the back by a two footed kick dropping from above. The masked air-bender lands, dodges an attack, and then throws the bandit up in the air with a blast of wind. The BANDIT LEADER turns around to see the resulting sudden gap in the smoke. The masked air-bender turns towards him, and even as he punches out to launch a rock at her, she thrusts her arms together and the blinding smoke swirls back, hiding her.

The BANDIT LEADER rushes forward and stumbles out of the smoke. In the clear air he turns around to see that the smoke is magically confined into a perfect dome in the center of the street. Then there is the sound of light feet landing on the street behind him. He spins back to see another masked air-bender standing in the open. The BANDIT LEADER roars and lashes out with eruptions of earth and flying bricks but the air-bender easily dodges or deflects all of it, repeatedly slamming BANDIT LEADER into walls with rushes of wind coming from every angle.

Then all the bandits are defeated. The dome of smoke swirls together into a pillar rising up into the sky where it suddenly bursts out to dissipate a hundred feet above the town. In its former center is the first air-bender, standing among the restrained non-bender bandits with her arms held over her head in a bending technique.

The townsfolk begin to peak out of their windows and venture back out onto the street. Under those stares of disbelieving relief, OPAL and JINORA remove their masks.

EXT. YI PROVINCE TOWN CENTER - DAY

OPAL drives the bandit's jeep with the bandits themselves well trussed in the back. She parks in front of an important looking old building. Large crowds from the town are coming out to watch this display with sporadic cheering. Then the flying bison swoops down to land down in the main square, JINORA on its back.

The main doors of the central building open and a man in fancy robes, YI GOVERNOR, walks out flanked by two men in traditional government functionary clothes.

YI GOVERNOR

(grateful)

Yi Province welcomes the air nation! I am so grateful to see you. As governor I will personally see to lodging and support for you and the rest of your forces as soon as they arrive.

JINORA

(exchanges a look with OPAL)

There aren't any more of us coming. We are the detachment that was sent here.

YI GOVERNOR

(Horrified)

What? My telegram to Master Tenzin told him the severity of our situation. Two girls...two air-benders isn't anywhere near enough to save us!

OPAL

The air nation is stretched thin. There are problems across the world. We were all that could be spared to send here.

(gestures to JINORA and her arrow tattoos)

But Master Jinora is one of the best air-benders in the world, Master Tenzin's own daughter. You're lucky to have her. And besides, with us here we'll own the skies.

JINORA

Opal's right. From bison back we'll see any bandit attacks coming; no force will be able to sneak up on you again. We can advise you in mustering an effective defense against whatever they throw at you.

YI GOVERNOR

(resigned)

The bandit warlord that's ravaging our lands has five hundred soldiers and twenty earth benders under his command. No amount of talent or strategy can fight that arithmetic. Over the last few months they've only gotten bolder. These fools you caught were just opportunists who raced here ahead of the main force.

Suddenly the cheerful chatter of the crowds of townsfolk behind them turns frightened. Some people are shouting and pointing out across the valley of fields and pastures to a low pass between hills. Black banners and thin trails of diesel smoke trail above dozens of trucks and men on horseback, just visible in the distance. The bandits are approaching. Screams spread through the town.

YI GOVERNOR

(bitter)

See them coming? They're already here.

OPAL and JINORA both rush to jump up onto the back of the flying bison. Just as the beast begins to turn around on the ground to face towards the approaching threat a distant train whistle echoes across the valley.

Action in the town center stops in confusion. The train whistle sounds again, closer this time. Across the valley, the bandit forces stop their advance and actually turn around to go back they way they had come. The flying bison walks forward to the edge of the town square from where OPAL and JINORA can see a long train coming down the tracks. The train is silver and green, Kuvira's colors.

EXT. YI PROVINCE TRAIN STATION - DAY

The sleek modern train, trailing many carriages, slowly comes to a halt at the base of the town. OPAL and JINORA are with the YI GOVERNOR in the party that assembles to meet it. They look more suspicious than the very relieved public does. The doors on the train open and two soldiers step down to take up positions on each side of the exit. The next person to step out is BOLIN.

BOLIN is wearing a green and silver military uniform, surveying the scene with the satisfaction of someone about to start on a hard but worthwhile job. Then he sees OPAL and his face lights up.

BOLIN

(delighted)

Opal?! What are you...? I didn't know you were deployed! Ha, this is great!

(moves over and hugs her)

OPAL

(smiles, kisses his cheek)

I've missed you too, Bolin.

(not as delighted)

But what are Kuvira's forces doing here? Yi province never gave her permission to act within its borders.

KUVIRA

(offscreen)

And that's why I'm here. To negotiate personally.

There is the sound of stamping as all the uniformed soldiers snap into salutes in unison as KUVIRA steps down from the train. Her uniform is decorated with strips of shining steel that give the suggestion of armor. She is still young, in her low thirties, but radiates strength and confidence. A moment later BAATAR exits behind her.

KUVIRA

(bows her head ever so slightly)

Governor.

YI GOVERNOR

(narrows his eyes)

General Kuvira.

BAATAR

(To OPAL)

Opal? Wow, a little family reunion. Three years has been too long.

OPAL

(angry)

Shut it, Baatar. After what you did to mom, you don't get to make those jokes. We...

(gestures between her and BAATAR)

...aren't a family.

BAATAR

(rolls his eyes)

Dramatic as always. And mother is the one who needs to swallow her pride and apologize. All the good we've managed to do reunifying this country is despite her. But never mind, I wasn't just talking about us when I said family.

(Moves closer to KUVIRA, smiles)

We're engaged.

OPAL reacts in surprise and anger as BOLIN slides in with a sheepish grin on his face.

BOLIN

(nervous)

Heh, heh. Isn't this great? Happy reunion? The Beifong family growing? Yes? No? Ok.

OPAL steps away from him.

BOLIN

I mean, we're all on the same side at least. Trying to help rebuild the Earth Kingdom.

KUVIRA

(to Opal, genuine)

Opal, I'm really looking forward to getting to sit down with you as my future sister-in-law, but unfortunately business comes first.

(to Governor)

Governor, we can talk aboard my train while my soldiers get to work.

JINORA

(holds up a hand)

Hold up. The Kingdom's regency council only gave you and your army the authority to conduct operations with the permission of the local government. You don't have that here.

KUVIRA

(cocky smile)

Military operations require a signature. But there's no rule against distributing aid.

At her signal several of the train cars open wide doors and solders step out to start handing out bags of rice, medical supplies and other goods. The common people of the town rush forward, eager and desperate. Scattered cheering begins to spread through the crowd. KUVIRA turns back to look YI GOVERNOR in the eye.

YI GOVERNOR

(reluctant, but outplayed)

Fine. We will talk.

(Nods to JINORA)

And the Air Nation may have their own insights to contribute.

INT. KUVIRA'S TRAIN COMMAND CABIN

The cabin centers around a large meeting table. On the wall at the head is a large map of the earth Kingdom with the provinces colored in varying darknesses of green forming rough rings of the expansion of control. Arrows point out of the provinces, showing the expansion of unification. Only a few provinces are still blank.

The GOVERNOR sits at the table with a lengthy document spread out before him. KUVIRA stalks around the other side of the table with frustrated energy.

YI GOVERNOR

These terms are absurd! You'd have complete power over us. All our mines and industry would be given over. This is outright conquest.

KUVIRA

(frustrated)

It's not conquest. We're your own country!

YI GOVERNOR

(defiant)

Yi province has governed its own affairs for almost a hundred years without interference or aid from the capital. Ba Sing Se abandoned us but we survived all the same. I will not be the man who gave up what my ancestors have built.

KUVIRA

(growls)

This is idiotic. Your province is overrun by bandits. The whole Earth Kingdom had been in shreds long before Zaheer's Red Lotus killed the Queen, but every little ruler like you insists on holding onto their petty fiefdom. I'm the one who the regency and the world leaders gave the authority to restore our unity. I'm trying to save you! Who else is there?

YI GOVERNOR

The Air Nation lends us their fighters. I'm in negotiations with the United Republic for aid as well as several major corporations. And soon the Avatar will return and she will-

KUVIRA

No one's seen Avatar Korra in three years. You can't seriously be planning your survival around her.

JINORA

Hey. Korra's still recovering down at the southern Water Tribe

OPAL

She's almost better. We'll hear from her as soon as she's ready to return.

KUVIRA

That doesn't matter. We're running out of time. As long as the Earth Kingdom is divided we are weak. The other countries are already eating us alive. Foreign corporations are strip mining the lawless land. The United Republic has practically annexed the provinces on its border. The Fire Nation and the Water Tribe fish our waters bare. Every round of negotiation with the so-called world leaders leaves us weaker and weaker.

(slams her hand down on the table)

The bandits are at your door. Sign the terms!

YI GOVERNOR

(stands up, angry)

You're just another warlord. A bandit on a grander scale. I will not surrender the independence that my father and grandfather earned.

KUVIRA

(calms herself and looks out window)

Can these people eat independence? What do they care where their taxes go, to Ba Sing Se or your mansion? I've had nothing before. I know how it feels. You say you're their leader but you've failed to protect them. So I'm bringing them home. I am bringing all of our nation back together.

(turns back to the governor)

The choice is unity or death.

JINORA, OPAL, and even BOLIN react in shock at this line.

YI GOVERNOR

Is that a threat?!

KUVIRA

(sighs)

One I don't even have to enforce. Without my protection bandits, starvation, and the rest of the world will destroy you soon enough. So sign the terms. Pledge your loyalty. Save your people. I'll do the rest.

The YI GOVERNOR is wracked by indecision. OPAL is furious, and JINORA is also unhappy with how this has gone. Finally he gives in and signs the paper. KUVIRA smiles.

EXT. KUVIRA'S TRAIN - DAY

Doors open and masses of troops jump down to form out in a nearby field. Other doors open and mechanical battle suits, the successors to the treaded mechatanks, step down with heavy impacts. KUVIRA also exits to watch her army forming up. From the distance an army airship approaches to hover over the valley.

The townsfolk cheer for the soldiers. BOLIN turns to OPAL with a hesitant smile on his face, but she turns away from him.

EXT. BANDIT FORTRESS - DAY

Motley armed bandits rush back through the gateway of a large old stone fortress to join the hundreds that are already inside. A black flag flies above the dilapidated main tower. Rusted metal doors swing shut across the main gate then four earth benders raise up thick slabs of stone behind. The bandits shout and rush around as they all grab their weapons and get up on top of the walls.

Further down this side valley, KUVIRA stands up in a stationary open top jeep watching her army form up in front of her for the assault on the bandit fortress. The airship floats high and off the side providing overwatch. Squads of infantry armed with reloading crossbows and short-swords march behind rumbling stamp of diesel powered battlesuits. Armored tanks roll between the columns, effectively protective capsules for valuable earth-benders. As they move up the gentle slope, earth bridges erupt from the ground to cross over streams, trees are toppled from the roots up, and dirt roads materialize in front of the columns. KUVIRA jumps down in the jeep and hits her hand on the dash board, ordering her driver to move closer. In a nearby car, BAATAR watches her go and hangs his head with a sigh.

The fight for the fort is brutal and quick. The bandits start out by launching explosives from catapults down at the attacking army. Kuvira's forces react to defend with practiced precision. Then the earth benders start exchanging launched rocks at each other while archers from both sides try to shoot those elemental masters. Then the army rips a hole in the fortress wall.

A few moments later, just inside the hole in the wall, one of the first army squads to advance inside is pinned down. They are crouched behind a hastily raised earthen barricade, but their earth-bender has an arrow in his leg and is in no shape to be fighting. The soldiers are afraid but then KUVIRA dashes in among them, sliding to the ground to thump her back into cover behind the barricade. The soldiers look at her sudden appearance with disbelief but she just grins back at them.

KUVIRA

(grins)

For the Earth Nation?

SOLDIER

(after a brief moment)

For the Earth Nation.

Then more metal armored elite earth-benders vault over the wall to land in the courtyard, the ground reaching up to cushion their fall. KUVIRA leaps forward to join the fight at their head. She fights with earth and metal, smoothly twisting metal doors and vehicle parts into weapons and shields with a simple touch. From her own uniform she shoots out sharpened blades like throwing knives, and flings out whips made of metal strips only held together by her metal-bending power. Where these whips wrap around an enemies limbs or eyes they crinkle into place before they detach, resuming rigidity and becoming impossible to remove.

Then it is a little later. Deeper in the fortress, fighting continues but the battle is already over. The fortress gates have been torn down and soldiers are flooding in. KUVIRA stands in the middle of the courtyard, watching the captives be assembled in their bonds. She stamps the ground and raises up an earth pedestal under her. She then addresses the courtyard over the sounds of distant fighting.

KUVIRA

Welcome back, wayward brothers! Order has finally returned to this land. Your commanders will be executed for their crimes and all other accusations will be investigated with excruciating care.

The defeated bandits, now PRISONERS, shake with fear.

KUVIRA

But the rest of you are still our countrymen! You are of the earth culture too, people who fell for a criminal's promise of a way to escape the terror he himself brought. There is a path forward for you. But I will not hand out forgiveness. Forgiveness must be earned! Earned by serving the army of your country! So what is your answer?

The PRISONERS are hesitant but soon enough someone starts a chant.

PRISONERS

(Together)

Kuvira! Kuvira! Kuvira!

EXT. YI PROVINCE, VARIOUS LOCATIONS - SUNSET

On another hill within view of the bandit fortress, OPAL and JINORA watch glumly before they place their masks back on and leap up on the flying bison. The great beast takes off and flies through the air, passing off over the valley and the town below.

Down in the town, BOLIN has unbuttoned his uniform coat as he works to unload and distribute aid supplies. He sees the bison in the sky above and his face lights up before he realizes that they are not stopping. He watches OPAL and JINORA fly off into the distance, before he returns to his work of handing out relief.

EXT. EARTH KINGDOM CITY - EVENING

It getting dark in a different city that lies at the edge of some forested mountains. The electric lights on street corners shine out harshly. A few cars drive down the streets and shop-owners are starting to close their wooden shutter screens. The sounds of a shouting crowd in some big enclosed space gradually bleed into the distant city noises.

INT. FIGHTING PIT

A rowdy crowd sits in bleacher seats around sunken, stone walled, dirt floored circle, cheering and jeering at two combatants preparing to fight down in it. One of the women in the pit hops back and forth to warm up, then the bell rings. The fighter punches forward to rip forth part of the earth floor into a projectile. Her opponent blocks it and as the motion slows down we see that the opponent is KORRA.

KORRA fights back trading blows, blocks, and dodges. However, while previously KORRA would have been able to defeat such an opponent in moments even with the limit of only using earth, now she is struggling to hold her ground. But as she fights she gains confidence and begins to win. Then, when she is about to end the match, KORRA's eyes go wide and she jerks back in sudden fright. Her opponent is confused but seizes the opportunity to attack back and catch KORRA off her balance.

The view slides behind KORRA's head and we see that to her eyes the opponent is now the shadowy figure of Korra with blazing avatar state eyes and chains wrapped around her wrists. KORRA tries to shake her head to clear this while still defending herself, but she is getting beaten now. Then she is knocked back hard and the bell rings. KORRA lifts her face up off the ground and the Shadow-Korra now fades back to her normal opponent, lifting her arm to the crowd in triumph.

INT. DIRTY BATHROOM

KORRA is cleaning up after her fight as best as she can. She winces as she touches the bruise on her face. Then she stops and just stares at her reflection in the broken mirror. She flinches away in self loathing.

INT. FIGHTING PIT

Then time has passed and the crowd is gone. KORRA, covered with bruises, has a bag slung over one shoulder as she walks along the rim above the pit. She approaches a man in a suit watching over the clean-up crew, the FIGHT MANAGER. KORRA holds out her hand wordlessly.

FIGHT MANAGER

(glances at Korra)

Oh yeah, right.

(takes out a wad of money and slips out a few bills)

That was just awful tonight. Next time try dodging a few. Ha! Oh and also, how about next time you actually sign up with a name? Can't just keep calling you "fighter number two".

KORRA does not reply, only grabs the money and heads for the door.

FIGHT MANAGER

Hey, anyone ever told ya you kinda look like the Avatar?

KORRA

(not looking back)

Yeah, I've heard that.

EXT. EARTH KINGDOM CITY - EVENING

KORRA walks along the cracked sidewalks. Many of the walls around town have been covered with posters of Kuvira and her army. She passes a small group of young men with the sides of their heads shaved in the fashion of Kuvira's soldiers.

YOUNG THUG ONE

(at Korra as she passes)

Psh. Another foreigner.

YOUNG THUG TWO

This country's for the Earth Nation. Go back to your own home!

KORRA does not respond but stops a little way down the walk at a little food stall that is still open. The STALL OWNER, an older man, starts getting some food together as soon as she walks up.

STALL OWNER

Ignore those idiots. Not everyone here thinks that way.

KORRA

(takes her food and gives money)

Yeah. Just enough.

She continues walking through the city, munching on a bit of food she can hold in one hand. There is a recruiting station for Kuvira's army that is still open with one officer seeing to a short line of young men. Nearby, kids are playing at soldier. Past them a young couple are stealing kisses in a corner, oblivious to the rest of the world.

A little further on down the road two people are tied to posts outside a governmental building. They are both alive but bruised and sagged down to the ground, wearing a wooden plaque around their neck with an equalist symbol and a red lotus respectively.

KORRA just keeps her eyes down and continues walking.

INT. ASAMI'S OFFICE, REPUBLIC CITY

ASAMI walks up towards her desk and sees a newspaper laid out on it, upside down. Under the fold is a picture of Prince Wu making some flamboyant gesture while in the background Mako presses his hand to his face. ASAMI smiles, then she turns the paper over to see a picture of Kuvira. Her smile slips. She looks very alone in this giant office.

Asami's ASSISTANT enters behind her holding letters.

ASSISTANT

I have your mail for this morning. Several official, and one personal.

ASAMI

(with sudden hope)

Personal? Let me see.

(takes letter, looks at address, and frowns)

ASSISTANT

Miss Sato?

ASAMI

(puts the letter down)

I'm fine. Anything else?

ASSISTANT

Er, yes. The investigators you sent to look into Mister Varrick and his spirit energy device are now saying he left the country a week ago.

ASAMI

What? Where did he go?

ASSISTANT

Somewhere in the Earth Kingdom. They're still looking into it.

ASAMI

Hmm.

(taps her finger on the desk near the distressing letter)

He came to me because of our reputation for my father's crimes, not despite it. And he didn't trust anyone else in the United Republic.

She drums her finger in thought, growing more worried and frustrated. She glances at the letter and back away again. Then she snatches up the unopened letter as if reaching a decision she was not happy with.

ASAMI

Have my car ready.

ASSISTANT

Mam?

ASAMI

I need to be thinking clearly. And that means there's a distraction I need to take care of.

INT. PRISON

ASAMI walks past guards, her heels clacking on the hard floor. A door is held open for her and she walks in to a small secure room with a single table and two chairs. The chair away from Asami's door is occupied by a man with white hair and the weary look of someone who has aged a great many years in a very short time. It is Asami's father, HIROSHI. He looks up at ASAMI with wonder and hope.

ASAMI

(anger held tight in her voice)

Hi, Dad.