(See the end of the chapter for notes .)

Chapter Text

EXT. REPUBLIC CITY STREETS - VARIOUS LOCATIONS - MORNING

BOIN

(to himself)

Let's see. Money. Money, money, money, money...

BOLIN is trying to find quick work. He gets into a large open-floor-plan office but is lost and afraid when sitting before a typewriter. Eyes closed he pokes forward with a single finger. He is quickly back out on the street as the interior of the building echoes with screams. He then manages to get a job at a construction site. As soon as the foreman hires him three non-benders get fired. BOLIN is easily bending the piles of bricks that it took three of them to cart around, and packing down earth with the force of a steamroller.

A hotrod pulls up past the construction site and then suddenly stops. SHIN gets out.

SHIN

Hey, Bolin. Is that you?

BOLIN

(hesitantly)

Oh, hey there Shady Shin.

SHIN

I heard you're a big time probending player now. Not bad.

BOLIN

Uh, thanks.

SHIN

(Looks around with a disparaging eye)

So what are you doing working at a place like this?

BOLIN

(mumbling)

Oh, you know. Expenses, money, have to work your way up to the big leagues.

SHIN

(smiles)

Right. Listen, I've got an offer for you that may help out a bit. Lightning Bolt Zolt has me out looking to hire some extra muscle. Some known quantities.

BOLIN

Uh, I don't know, Shin. Mako told me to stay away from the Triple Threats.

SHIN

Pff! Your brother aint the boss of you. It's just a little security work. Get our side a few extra benders to stand around so everyone knows not to start anything. Nothing crooked.

He slaps a fat stack of money into BOLIN's hand.

BOLIN

(gasps, then tries to calm himself while hiding the money)

When is this all going to be? Because I've got this girl I'm supposed to be meeting later and...

SHIN smiles as he knows he has got a recruit.

EXT. AIRTEMPLE ISLAND - LATE MORNING

KORRA is doing better at her training but is still very frustrated that she is not able to command the air element even as she gets the forms right.

TENZIN

All right, that is enough for now. For the next exercise I've prepared something special as a change of pace. Since it is now approaching noon we can begin a new strategy which focuses on the effect of adverse conditions on...

(gesturing off to the side)

KORRA

(Interrupts and then runs off, still talking)

Noon? I have to go! Bye Tenzin, I have to go meet a boy in the city but its not a date and though I know you don't like me running off like this you can't exactly stop me! Bye!

TENZIN

But, but... *sigh*.

TENZIN is suddenly buffeted by unending gusts of wind coming from IKKI and MEELO who were intended to help out as part of the training.

MEELO

(screaming while wheeling his arms, summoning wind)

Adverse conditions!

EXT. REPUBLIC CITY STREETS

KORRA arrives at the meeting place by a fountain in a city park. She is excited but time goes on and BOLIN does not show up. At first she is hopeful, then depressed, then angry, and then worried. She strikes off with determination.

INT. CHAO'S RESTAURANT - EARTH NATION QUARTER -

MAKO and ASAMI are sitting at a table. MAKO is trying to look cool but is clearly uncomfortable to be at a place this expensive. ASAMI has pulled out her graph book of sports statistics notes.

ASAMI

(continuing)

And you Fire Ferrets have one of the best zone recapture stats in the entire league!

MAKO casually leans over to look at the book and then starts pouring over the numbers, completely forgetting that he is supposed to be acting cool and aloof.

MAKO

Wow, Asami, this is...! Huh, we do need to work on our conversions. And our zone one water numbers are not what we want. Whenever Hasook shows back up I'll need to show him that.

ASAMI

Yes, but look. With earth and fire in consecutive zones your percentage starts to climb by each quarter!

A car backfires outside and ASAMI jumps. Then she starts laughing softly.

MAKO

What's wrong?

ASAMI

Ha, it's nothing. It's just... This city is a dangerous place sometimes. But then I remembered that I'm sitting right next to an expert fire-bender and that fear seemed completely ridiculous. I don't know, maybe it's silly but you make me feel...safe.

They both blush. MAKO is about to say something when KORRA suddenly slams down beside them out of nowhere. ASAMI jumps again, much higher this time.

KORRA

Have you seen your brother?

MAKO

Korra? What are you doing here?

KORRA

I was meeting Bolin but he never showed up.

ASAMI

(sympathetic for KORRA getting stood up)

Oh, I am so sorry. I am sure that he has a reasonable excuse.

MAKO

(defensive)

Hey, he didn't blow her off!

KORRA

I know that. He must have gotten in trouble somehow.

MAKO

(Sighs)

Yeah, that tends to happen.

KORRA

What if those triad guys from the other day did something to him? That crew saw him watching me beat them up. What if they came after him? From what I hear those criminals are all over the city and no one seems to be stopping them.

MAKO

(dismissing that possibility)

No, the Triple Threats wouldn't do anything to him.

ASAMI

(now a little worried on MAKO's behalf)

The Avatar has a point. The triads are getting more brazen every day. They use their bending to oppress the public and instill fear so no one questions their authority.

KORRA

(frowns)

That sounds what those anti-bending Equalist guys were saying.

ASAMI

(shrugs)

And they have a point. Most of the protections they are proposing are very reasonable. I can't carry a crossbow through the street, so why shouldn't practicing benders be registered and display some visible patch or badge?

KORRA

(growing angry)

Hey, just what are you...

MAKO

(standing up)

I'm sorry Asami. I need to go find my brother. It's probably nothing but if...

ASAMI

No, go. I understand completely. We can reschedule for anytime. It was nice to meet you again, Avatar Korra.

KORRA

(grunts)

MAKO and KORRA exit leaving ASAMI in the restaurant.

EXT. APPROACH TO TRIAD RESTAURANT

MAKO

Bolin had said something about not having money when he mentioned meeting up with you today but I'd just assumed he was going to go do things that you could get into for free.

KORRA

And I would have been fine with that! It's not like I've got bags of money. In fact I've basically got nothing of my own. I've always had to rely on people to take care of me.

MAKO

(quietly bitter)

Then you didn't have nothing.

KORRA

(changing the subject)

Where are we looking first?

MAKO

If he was looking for some quick cash then there's one place to start. As much as I told him to stay away from them.

KORRA

Who...?

(She recognizes the car out front as the one used in her first fight)

Wait, I recognize that car! That's those Triad guys'! What would Bolin have to do with them?

MAKO

(reluctantly)

We kind of used to do some work for them back in the day.

KORRA

What? Are you some kind of criminal?

MAKO

No! You don't know what you're talking about. I did what I had to do to survive and protect my brother.

KORRA

I...

MAKO

(suddenly tense and steps protectively in front of her)

Something's not right. There's usually guys posted out front.

MAKO slides up to the side of the door before peaking in. He waves KORRA forward. To his surprise she kicks the doors open.

INT. TRIAD RESTAURANT

The restaurant is in shambles with clear signs of a violent struggle.

MAKO

Bolin? You in here?

Amid the overturned tables and smashed chairs there is a body in an Equalist combat outfit. KORRA finds it.

KORRA

(calling MAKO over, this is the first dead body she has ever seen)

Mako?

MAKO

(Inspecting the body, tracing the spiderwebbed burns and singe marks)

Lighting. Zolt was here when it went down.

KORRA

The mob boss? But creating lightning is a master level firebending skill. Even I had trouble learning it. How did some ordinary criminal...?

MAKO gives KORRA an annoyed look.

MAKO

The Triple Threat would never have abandoned their place like this, so they must not have come up on top in whatever happened. Then the question is if this guy's friends won then why did they leave their dead here?

KORRA

What if they didn't leave...?

The back door opens and two more people in Equalist combat outfits enter.

EQUALIST

(to his companion)

Just grab...

The Equalists spot MAKO and KORRA. After a moment of surprise all four rush into action. MAKO gets the first attack off but the Equalists dodge. One Equalist throws a bola that MAKO has no room to avoid. As it flys there is the whine of a capacitor and then it shocks him with electricity. KORRA goes after her target but he pulls out knives. KORRA is worried for a moment but then she shoots distracting fire to the left so she can deliver a mighty gut-punch with the right. Mako manages to burn himself free and gets back on his feet but the Equalists have dropped a gas-bomb and are escaping out the back where there is the sound of trucks starting.

EXT. TRIAD RESTAURANT

MAKO and KORRA rush out the back door while coughing to see one truck pulling out and another waiting to do so. The Triple Threat members are tied up and limp on the truck floor.

EQUALIST

(climbing into the truck)

Go, go, go!

The Equalists get away in their truck with their captives. As they close the truck's door KORRA sees that BOLIN is one of the people tied up on the truck floor. The rest of the captives are out cold or groaning. KORRA runs after them and rips up a huge section of the street that they just barely avoid. Then she breaks off a fire hydrant and send the water out to freeze under the truck. It recovers from the resulting spin and is now too far away for her to hit even if they weren't throwing out more smoke bombs to provide cover.

KORRA

Rah! Who were they?!

MAKO

Equalists. It has to be.

KORRA

What?

MAKO

(gestures to a half torn poster on an alley wall)

That masked anti-bender, Amon, 's people. Did you see those weapons? Who else could afford to arm themselves with all that gear and yet not get a single bender on their side?

(experiences a sudden wave of anger and frustration)

I can't believe I let Bolin get into this mess!

KORRA

(places her hand on his arm)

Mako, we are going to save your brother. Tenzin is on the ruling council and I know that Police Chief...

MAKO

(interrupts)

No. Cops aren't going to help kidnapped Triad members. I've got to do this alone.

KORRA

No. No, you don't.

EXT. REPUBLIC CITY STREETS - DAY -

KORRA and MAKO are walking along the street.

KORRA

(gently)

So how long have you and Bolin been on your own?

MAKO

Since I was nine.

KORRA

I'm so sorry.

MAKO

You didn't do anything. And we're doing better now. With our team we have a chance at an actual future.

KORRA

Well, from what I've seen you're talented enough to make it work.

They reach a street corner.

Both

(pointing in opposite directions)

Let's go...

There is a moment of silent argument where they both try to take the lead.

KORRA

All right, I'll get into the police station and find out what they have on...

MAKO

I said no cops. I can't risk Bolin getting arrested. But I know a guy. He...sells stuff. And he likes dealing with those political types. I might be able to trade with him for a little information about...

KORRA

No criminals! That's what got your brother into this.

They turn another corner and see the EQUALIST PROTESTER set up again with his flyers, and megaphone.

KORRA

Wait, I recognize that Equalist guy. I was yelling at me on my first day here. He might know something about what Amon's guys are doing. You stay here, I'll go...

MAKO

No. You're kind of famous, they are more likely to recognize you. I'll go.

EQUALIST PROTESTER is packing up to move locations. Mako comes up and starts talking to him, smoothly moving him out of sight down an alley. As KORRA watches there is a brief flash of orange light down the alley. After a moment MAKO walks back out.

MAKO

There's some big meeting tonight over in the industrial quarter. Open recruitment for the Equalists or something. They shouldn't notice two more people if we sneak in. We might find out something there about where they're holding Bolin, like a base or hideout.

KORRA

What did you do to that guy? If the cops have trouble getting anyone to give up information on the Equalists then what did you...

MAKO

There are a lot of things that cops aren't allowed to do.

KORRA

(horrified)

You didn't...

MAKO

(with a small smile)

No, but I made him think I would. Those Equalists really are afraid of benders.

EXT. EQUALIST WAREHOUSE - NIGHT -

MAKO and KORRA have changed their clothes to cover up more as they are both public figures who might be recognized as benders. As they approach the warehouse KORRA clutches at MAKO's arm like they are a couple. MAKO gives her a confused look to which KORRA only answers with a 'follow my lead' shrug.

DOORMAN

The revelation is upon us brother and sister.

INT. EQUALIST WAREHOUSE

The warehouse is filled with hundreds of people. At the very end is a large stage in front of a massive poster of AMON. Equality banners are hanging from the walls.

MAKO

Woah, I'd never realized the Equalists were getting so big.

KORRA now looks worried. Her hold on MAKO's arm is now a little genuine. They make their way through the crowd to as close to the stage as they can manage.

MAN WITH MICROPHONE

And now your leader, our savior, the voice for the oppressed millions, Amon!

AMON steps into view on the stage the the sound of cheers. Behind him are a small group of elite fighters, and his LIEUTENANT is at his right. Every inch of AMON'S body is concealed behind his mask, hood, and combat-ready clothes, but still he manages to project power and authority. The crowd falls silent.

AMON

Why do I hide my face? I am sure that is the question many of you have asked. And the answer, of course, is fear. I was a boy when I first learned to fear benders. My family were poor farmers but this did not stop that fire wielding thug from taking everything. My father, my mother, my sister, my face. I was alone and in pain and I was furious. How could this be the nature of the world? The Avatar is supposed to maintain balance, but where was he? Building this new nation that repeats all the same mistakes and inequalities of the old. I was lost but in that moment of agony and despair the spirit world came to me. They brought to me a revelation, which I will now share with you. The world does not have to be this way. Bending is a tool of fear that has caused every war and all the oppression in history! But tonight that will change. After tonight those born into their privilege will be the ones to feel fear! They will fear this mask! For the spirits have granted me a power. The ability to take bending away. Permanently.

The crowd gasps.

KORRA

(whispers to MAKO in disbelief)

That's impossible. Do they really believe this guy?

AMON

But of course you are skeptical. That is why I have arranged a demonstration.

Equalist fighters drag out the bound members of the Triple Threat Triad. Some of the crowd murmurs in recognition. ZOLT is in the front of the line and BOLIN is at the back.

MAKO

(whispers to KORRA)

There's Bolin!

AMON

Lightning Bolt Zolt, notorious criminal leader of the Triple Threat Triad and yet still mysteriously unpunished. Until today. Cut him loose then step back.

There are some screams from the crowd as an Equalist fighter complies. The rest of the fighters retreat as asked. ZOLT stands up alone on stage with AMON. ZOLT is bruised and disheveled but the instant he is on his feet he radiates menace and control. He does not look like a captive.

ZOLT

(to AMON)

That was a good speech. Very informative. I've always fancied myself something of an instructor too. For instance, did you know they call lightning "the cold blooded fire"? It's a technique that can only be performed with a mind of perfect balance and clarity. You should find that reassuring. When I kill you you'll know its not personal.

ZOLT attacks and he is fast. Arcs of electricity are already forming around his hands as he finishes talking. Then he snaps into his lethal attack, sending out a bolt of lighting from his fingertips. But somehow AMON dodges it. Now AMON is running forward, miraculously avoiding the re-aimed blast. AMON gets behind ZOLT and forces him down to the ground with two carefully placed hands on his head and neck. ZOLT is still shooting lightning but now it seems that he can not stop. Then the lightning suddenly fades into a giant plume of fire, only for the fire to slowly fade down into nothing. AMON lets go. ZOLT scrambles away and then jumps up. He tries to punch out fire at AMON but nothing happens.

ZOLT

(collapses in horror)

What did you do?!

AMON

Be reassured. Your cleansing the first step in bringing balance to the world.

(to his fighters)

Present the next criminal.

The crowd roars. KORRA is watching the stage in horror.

MAKO

We have to save Bolin!

KORRA

(panicked)

I'm thinking, I'm thinking!

(she looks up at the pipes on the walls)

Wait for my distraction.

KORRA sneaks off out of the crowd while MAKO watches AMON slowly advance through the line of captives one by one towards BOLIN.

INT. BACKSTAGE AT THE EQUALIST WAREHOUSE

Outside the main room KORRA finds a junction of water pipes and starts working to get one open. A large man approaches her.

LARGE MAN

Hey, what are you doing back here?

KORRA

(faking sweetness and relief)

Oh, thank you! I was lost and I just...

(beats him up)

KORRA opens a pipe and starts turning the water into fog.

INT. EQUALIST WAREHOUSE

Clouds of fog come rushing in towards the main stage. People in the crowd start panicking. Scattered people are yelling, thinking that the government had found their meeting. As the fog surrounds the stage AMON smoothly steps back into the vapor and disappears. MAKO leaps up on stage and takes out the man guarding BOLIN.

BOLIN

Mako! Oh, bro I love you, I love you, I love you!

MAKO

No time!

The two brothers start fighting their way out. The crowd is fighting to flee out the back. MAKO and BOLIN get cornered against a brick wall. Then the wall explodes inwards. KORRA leaps through the new hole and starts tearing up the floor into weapons with earth-bending as she shoots out massive blasts of fire.

KORRA

Come on!

EXT. ALLEY OUTSIDE THE EQUALIST WAREHOUSE

The three friends burst out of a door as KORRA collapses the hallway behind them.

MAKO

Quick, we have to...!

MAKO is interrupted by the LIEUTENANT dropping down from above. The LIEUTENANT is wielding two electrified batons that are powered by a small backpack. He hits KORRA with a surprise attack that sends her to the ground. He then proceeds to fight the two brothers on even terms. He is poised to win when he is slammed back against a wall by a spike of earth from a recovered KORRA. BOLIN hugs KORRA and plants a kiss of pure gratitude and relief on her. KORRA shakes him off.

KORRA

Hey! No kissing the lips!

BOLIN

(so relieved to escape he is barely listening)

Sorry, sure, anywhere you want!

KORRA

Not what I...

A door slams open behind them. KORRA, MAKO and BOLIN run off down the alley as Equalist fighters emerge behind them and begin to give chase.

AMON

Let them go.

AMON helps his LIEUTENANT back up to his feet.

AMON

The Avatar will be our perfect messenger.