Chapter Text



INT. SATO INDUSTRIES NANFANG WAREHOUSE

A large warehouse baring the Sato logo sits on the north bank of the Nanfang harbor, with a view of the rest of the coastal city over the water.



INT. SECRET LOCATION

The hood comes off BAATAR'S head. He is tied to a chair in a large empty industrial room. Standing before him are KORRA, ASAMI, BOLIN, OPAL, LIN, JINORA, and TENZIN.

KORRA

(dramatic and firm)

I am Avatar Korra.

BAATAR

(sarcastic and annoyed)

Yeah, I know it's you. We've met on several occasions. And you've been the one carrying me half the way here over your shoulders. What's all this supposed to accomplish?

KORRA

All right, business then. We're here to have a nice long talk about that robot fortress you designed.



INT. SECRET LOCATION HALLWAY

BOLIN, ASAMI and OPAL enter through a door.

OPAL

I don't think this will work. I'm not even sure a person like Kuvira is capable of caring for someone that way, but he's devoted to her.

BOLIN

No, she loves him. Even I could see that.

ASAMI

I'm just glad we have a moment to breath and a hidden place to do so. This old facility of Varrick's should do well enough, no one will think to look here. Now we just wait for Lin's cops to smuggle Varrick himself back in. Hopefully Kuvira's chief scientist can verify any technical details Baatar gives Korra and find a way to take down that machine. If we-

OPAL suddenly cuts her off. She heard a sound. BOLIN abruptly takes point and bursts through the next door. Inside are WU and MAKO surrounded by radio equipment and very surprised.

MAKO

Uh, hey?

ASAMI

(muted startled)

Oh. Well, I guess someone might have thought to look here.

WU

(flirting)

Asami Sato, hey hey.

(excited)

I've got a radio show!



INT. COLOSSUS COMAND ROOM

KUVIRA

How did you let this happen?!

AIRSHIP SOLDIER

(on radio)

I'm sorry, sir. We think that Baatar might have been taken by-

KUVIRA

Of course it was the Avatar! Her or her air-bender surrogates. Find him! Find my husband or I'll have your entire family sent to the prison camps as traitors!

The reporting soldier flees.

KUVIRA

Seal the colossus! Restrict communication! No one gets in or out!

Her hands clench together on her control board.



INT. SECRET LOCATION

An hour or so has passed. KORRA stands in front of BAATAR glaring and holding her hand above her head supporting a huge magical fire the size of a bonfire. The red and orange light batters the rest of the room.

BAATAR

(raises an eyebrow at the fire)

Look, these threats are pointless. I'm not going to tell you anything. The colossus is unstoppable. I've read about the past lives of the Avatar and I've read about you, Korra. I saw you at Zaofu. You'll give it your all in a pitched battle but there's no way you're going to kill me when I'm helpless in front of you. You won't even let her torture me.

(indicates at Lin)

Kuvira knows all this too.

KORRA drops her hand and the fire winks out.

OPAL

Let me talk to him.

(to Baatar)

Baatar...

BAATAR

(to Korra)

You think using my little sister is going to help you? You are sadly mistaken. I will never betray Kuvira.

OPAL

Enough! Why are you doing this? All this? I know you set out to help the Earth Kingdom but this destruction, this war, is insanity!

BAATAR

It's insanity to let others take what's yours and accept it blindly. The United Republic belongs to our people and we are taking it back. We are restoring the balance of nations.

OPAL

Balance?! Witch-hunts, slavery, invasion. You've killed hundreds, thousands! You threw our entire family into prison because, because that woman told you!

BAATAR

Kuvira is my family now.

OPAL

(kneels)

Baatar, I know you. I know that this can't be what you wanted. You were always talking about designing new technologies to help people, help humanity. That metal monster outside, how does that help anyone?

BAATAR

Hate me if you want. You could have cooperated. They could have respected us. All this, everything that happened is on you and mom, and the rest of the world leaders. And you still can end this. You can still surrender. We are restoring the pride of the Earth Nation people!

OPAL

(softly, to Baatar)

No. No, I don't hate you. I'm just very... sad.

ASAMI whispers into KORRA's ear. Now KORRA has a new idea.

KORRA

(to herself)

Why does that kind of pride always end up meaning hate for everything else?

(closes her eyes)

Control is not balance. And understanding is not capitulation.

BAATAR

What?

KORRA

(opens her eyes and walks towards him)

Let me put it in the language of your empire. You think Kuvira is too strong to be defeated because she controls the colossus. You say the colossus has no weak-points. But that only means that she is its weak-point.

(leans forward)

And you are hers.



INT. COLOSSUS CONTROL ROOM

KORRA

(on radio)

This is Avatar Korra, broadcasting to speak with General Kuvira. I know you're listening.

KUVIRA

(to technician)

Give me that. Triangulate the signal.

(takes microphone but does not speak)

KORRA

(on radio)

Kuvira, this invasion of yours is a crime against the balance of the world. By my spiritual authority you are condemned. By my worldly authority you are condemned. Turn around, withdraw your army from the United Republic, and you will only be held accountable for the damage you have already caused. I am giving you this last chance.

KUVIRA

(into radio, smirking glower)

Hello Korra. It's funny how the weak are always so quick to talk about right and wrong. When they were the ones on top I didn't hear nearly as much concern for morality.

(serious)

I have my own demands. Release my husband immediately, depart from Earth Empire lands and maybe, just maybe, I won't bring the might of this colossus crashing down everything you know and love.

KORRA

I believe that you would. But I wouldn't put too much faith in your walking fortress of tortured spirit energy. After all, I have the man who built it right here beside me.

KUVIRA

(frowns)

Baatar won't tell you a thing.

KORRA

That's the question isn't it? But whether you believe he will help me or not he's still here instead of with you. And since you refuse to back down, that is the nature of my threat.

KUVIRA

What are you talking about?

KORRA

As your second in command, Baatar has gone along with all your crimes. Life in prison is a suitable punishment, don't you think? I know you're aware of the Order of the White Lotus' reputation for secret prisons. They have plenty. Deep and hidden places that no one will ever find. If your invasion continues, Baatar will begin serving the sentence that you should. It won't be the dramatic confrontation with me that you want. No splashy battle before all the world. You will just never see him again.

(more gentle)

But that doesn't have to happen. You and him still have a chance. A chance to live your life together in the better world you set out to build before you got distracted by power and control. Just turn back home. Take your army and leave the United Republic.

KUVIRA

(Furious)

How dare you? You coward! I won't let you be another person to take what's mine! Baatar is mine! The United Republic is mine!

KORRA

I'm not taking anything away from you. If you leave, you will still keep what you have, but you don't have the United Republic yet. And you will keep the man you love. I want an answer Kuvira.

Letting go of the radio mike, KUVIRA roars in anger and frustration.

KUVIRA

Find them! I want her head!

TECHNICIAN

We've got the broadcast narrowed down to the north east sector of the city.

KUVIRA

That's not good enough!

KORRA

In ten minutes I'll move Baatar out of this city by hidden ways. You know that's within my power. And then you will never lay eyes on him again.

KUVIRA

(Into radio)

Let me talk to him! Why should I believe it when you say you have him?

BAATAR

(after pause, on radio)

...Kuvira?

KUVIRA

(relieved)

Baatar! What's your condition? Are you injured?

BAATAR

(jokingly bitter)

No, just bruised from being kidnapped out of an official diplomatic airship. And sick from the smell of this filthy harbor water.

KUVIRA smiles. He had just given them a clue.

TECHNICIAN

That's it! There's a Sato industries warehouse in the north east end of the harbor, just within the bounds of the triangulation area!

KUVIRA

(not on radio)

Get me a visual and mobilize an extraction team.

The colossus takes several steps, turning to face out across the water at the warehouse.

KUVIRA

(into radio)

Baatar, did you hear what the Avatar said to me?

BAATAR

I did. And as much as I hate to say it I believe her. She's got the air nation and Lin Beifong's elite police with her. Together they have the run of this country. The odds of our forces successfully extracting me before they disappear completely are very low.

KUVIRA

(into radio)

I'm sorry. I was supposed to be on that airship.

BAATAR

(smirks)

And I know you would have fought them off in a second.

(sighs)

No, we just got overconfident; overplayed our hand at the last minute. But we still won here today, and the world knows it. The Avatar knows it. Take her deal. No one will respect her after this dirty tactic. The colossus is still ours and now that other nations know its power we will be able to negotiate any deal we want. They'll have to, because they know Korra will never be able to pull of this trick twice. They know we're stronger. In five years the Earth Empire will be the envy of the world. Half the United Republic will join us voluntarily!

TECHNICIAN

Commando squad is deployed and heading to the signal's location. Arrival time, fifteen minutes.

KUVIRA

(pauses then nods, face filled with tension)

Initialize delta one on target location. Commence on my mark.

(into radio)

I hate her for this.

BAATAR

I know. We won't get the total victory we deserve today. But we will have our day of ultimate triumph soon enough, and then even Avatar Korra will have to bow down to you. And I will be right beside you to enjoy it. I've already got some plans for our revenge.

KUVIRA

(into radio)

I love you.

BAATAR

(smiles)

I know you do.

KUVIRA

(into radio)

Is the Avatar standing beside you?

BAATAR

Yes she is. I'll put her back on.

KUVIRA

(into radio)

Thank you, Baatar.

(puts down the mike, to her crew)

Fire the spirit cannon.



EXT. NANFANG CITY HARBOR

The cannon on top of the colossus glows and then fires off a brilliant beam across the water.



INT. SECRET LOCATION

BAATAR is colored by a flash of purple light through the window looking out at the harbor.



EXT. NANFANG HARBOR

The beam hits the harbor warehouse and starts a wave of explosions which tears apart a large V shaped section of city behind it.



INT. COLOSSUS COMMAND ROOM

KUVIRA watches the explosions.



EXT. DESTROYED SECTOR

Rubble collapses and burns around a long glassy melted crater where the beam explosion sliced into the earth.



INT. SECRET LOCATION

BAATAR stands up and walks over to the window in disbelief. He stares out across the water at the destroyed decoy site. He is dazed. ASAMI has her hand held over her mouth in shock even though this was her plan.

KORRA

It looks like Kuvira rejected the deal.

(to Asami)

You were right.

WU

(peaks his head in)

Hey, one of our dummy radio transmitters just stopped responding?

MAKO

Yeah, we're pretty sure we know what that's about.

BAATAR

(dazed)

No...There must have been some kind of...A malfunction or...someone acting without orders.

KORRA

Kuvira is in complete command of the colossus. Both of you keep telling us that.

OPAL

Baatar, I'm sorry.

BAATAR

(dazed)

She tried to kill me. In her mind, she did kill me. You spoofed where the signal was coming from and she killed me.

LIN

Without even an attempt to rescue. Kinda thing might make you rethink who you're working for.

ASAMI steps forward towards BAATAR. He hangs his head.

BAATAR

And now I have nothing.

(defeated)

I'll tell you everything I know.



INT. COLOSSUS COMMAND ROOM

TECHNICIAN

Confirmed direct hit. There is no sign of the Avatar escaping the strike area.

KUVIRA continues to watch the smoke rising from the spirit gun crater. One hand unconsciously rises to touch her cheek.

KUVIRA

(quiet)

Why aren't I crying?

TECHNICIAN

Sir?

KUVIRA

Nothing. The United Republic violated the truce. Turn the colossus north and advance on Republic City. Our enemies will not get a second chance at mercy.



EXT. COLOSSUS IN NANFANG

The colossus slowly walks down a wide city boulevard. Empire army battalions converge before and behind it. The city seems empty of residents.



INT. SECRET LAB

ASAMI pushes open doors, revealing a large workspace filled with mechatanks, battlesuits, and other bits of technology. BAATAR, MAKO, and KORRA are behind ASAMI while VARRICK, ZHULI, and LIN are already in the lab.

ASAMI

Welcome to our command center for plan B. It's an old Varricorp site that my company seized after the aborted sale contract. However, it's still well stocked. Luckily for us, Varrick's a thief.

VARRICK

You're welcome!

KORRA

We need a way to take down the colossus. There has to be some weakness, some vulnerability Baatar or Varrick can give us.

ASAMI

Don't worry, we'll find it. We've now got two of the best technical minds in the world working on this.

LIN

More like three.

ASAMI

I'm flattered, but I'm just a tinkerer. All my real instincts are towards business.

LIN

(attempt at sly smile)

I don't know, the apple doesn't fall far from...Blood might be thicker than...

(gives up)

I'm bad at dramatic reveals.

(opens door, deadpan)

I pulled your father out of prison

HIROSHI SATO enters the room.

ASAMI

(shocked)

Dad?

LIN

I thought we might need technical help so I had some of my men extract Hiroshi Sato from his cell in Republic City when they went to fetch Varrick.

(gestures to VARRICK and Baatar)

If we're collecting evil geniuses might as well go for the complete set.

BAATAR

(mildly offended)

Hey. Evil's not-

VARRICK

(puts his arm around Baatar)

Don't fight it, kid, embrace it!

HIROSHI

(Bows to Korra)

I am grateful to assist in the defense of my country.

(bows to Asami)

And I am honored to work under your command, my daughter. I hope I can be of assistance.

(sad smile)

I always did have a certain talent for destruction.

KORRA

(To Asami, concerned for her)

Are you're ok with this?

ASAMI

(off balance)

Yes. I...Yes, we need every bit of expertise we can get to help you stop that thing. We don't have much time.

KORRA

No, we don't. Plan B is already in motion.

(winces a bit)

I was really hoping for Plan A to work.

ASAMI looks at KORRA with concern clouding her expression. She lifts her hand and hesitantly places it right by KORRA's. KORRA's hand shifts slightly toward ASAMI's

ASAMI

We'll win this. I know you will.

KORRA

Right now the world thinks I'm dead. I can't let that last.



EXT. COLOSSUS IN NANFANG

The colossus marches north with empire army detachments moving along at its feet. Then Air- benders in wing suits and masks suddenly swoop around building. Empire Soldiers raise weapons to attack but the airbenders raises dust clouds of blinding dust and throw gas grenades.

While the troops are distracted Metalbender RC cops leap down from a nearby building and swing onto the colossus with their retractable cables. They land and try to bend the metal but fail.

METALBENDER COP

It's not working! I can't bend it!

They change tactics, lashing out attacks at a hatch and at the joints of the spirit gun. However, Kuvira planned for this. One of the legs not currently needed to stand swivels up and begins sweeping across the upper hull with incredibly precise clearance. The cops have to flee or be crushed.

TENZIN and JINORA land and watch from a nearby roof.

JINORA

Refined metal. An incredible amount.

TENZIN

So that's where Zaofu's domes went.

(blows a deafening whistle)

At that signal the attackers retreat.



INT. COLOSSUS COMMND ROOM

KUVIRA

Cowards and failures. Once we cross the bridge turn the spirit cannon on-

The bridge comes into views and is missing most of its middle. Glowing hot melted edges show on the far side. BOLIN cheerfully waves at the distant collossus before rushing out.

TECHNICIAN

If we detour up river there is a spot at fording depth that can-

KUVIRA

Do it. And the next hostile that shows, fire on it immediately!

(growls)

They will not stop me.



INT. SECRET LAB

VARRICK, BAATAR, and HIROSHI are working around a lot of different sketched plans. MAKO and a metal-bender guard are leaning against the pulled out supply of stolen technology. ASAMI looks tired and frustrated.

VARRICK

I have it! There's tons of materials here for powerful magnets. We rig up an EMP!

BAATAR

(shakes his head)

I planned for that when I designed the colossus. All the vital electronics are shielded. And the core is powered by the spirit energy reactor you designed. Who knows what disrupting that would do?

HIROSHI

(looking at handwritten diagrams)

There are places on the hull where the refined metal shell is rather thin. A platinum cutting torch could make a hole.

BAATAR

(shrugs wearily)

Maybe, but those torches weigh four hundred pounds. Not exactly portable. And those weak points you mentioned are eighty feet up the side of the colossus. How would you get up there?

ASAMI

(firmly steering)

That's ok. Still good ideas. Let's just focus on what we've learned.

VARRICK

(suddenly yells)

Ah!

BAATAR

(startled)

What? What it it?

VARRICK

(manic lost in thought, staring at their supplies)

Shut up! Shut up and talk to me. Look at those battle suits and mechatanks. I have an idea for what we could make. Just don't say a word and tell me if this could work.

(starts hurriedly drawing a plan)

HIROSHI and BAATAR gather to look at his scribbles.

ASAMI

What is it? Dad?

BAATAR

(exasperated)

It's the ravings of a madman.

HIROSHI

(nods)

Yes, and we could build it.

VARRICK

Ha ha! Zhuli, get a crowbar and a welding rig!

HIROSHI

Asami, you can tell the Avatar that...Wait. Where did Avatar Korra go?

ASAMI

(worried)

She left a while ago. She's gone to fight.

BAATAR

(dismayed)

She can't fight Kuvira on her own. Even the Avatar is helpless before the colossus. One touch of the spirit cannon beam and it's all over. She'd be killed instantly.

ASAMI

(snaps)

She knows that! And she's gone anyway so we are going to execute the quickest prototype assembly in history and we are going to get out there to help her. So get to it!

At this last ASAMI yells sharply enough that VARRICK, ZHULI, and BAATAR flinch but they rush to work. HIROSHI looks at ASAMI with concern but bows his head to her and turns to work as well.



EXT. NANFANG STREETS

KORRA sits in meditation in the middle of a street. The world grows dim around her. Echoes of the previous avatars materialize like smoke. Small spirits fade in and out of sight, fleeing past her.

AANG

The spirits are fleeing before the machine. Returning fully to their own world. They feel that it is...wrong.

ANCIENT AVATAR

You see no hope for success. And yet you intend to attack. By using our power you risk ending the Avatar line forever.

KORRA

Asami will find something.

AANG

(smiles)

I know that feeling.

(looks up)

I've done this before.

FEMALE AVATAR

(shakes her head fondly)

So many times before. Really, it's our leading cause of death.

There is an immense crunching noise as before KORRA the colossus steps up the river embankment, water streaming down off its legs. KORRA stands up. To her eyes on each side of her the shadows of past Avatars stretch out into infinity. Then she closes her eyes and the two lines rapidly collapse inward to merge with her.

She opens her eyes and they blaze with the light of the Avatar state.



INT. COLOSSUS COMMAND ROOM

KUVIRA

(sees Korra)

She's alive?! Strike! Strike now!



EXT. NANFANG STREETS

KORRA attacks the colossus. She throws chunks of street and ground the size of small buildings, she slashes with the river, she bathes the colossus in fire. Her techniques are massive and precise, showing the skill of all the past avatars. In turn the colossus tries to aim at her, but KORRA dodges two blasts with the use of lightning fast air and fire flight. Then she finds the barrel of the gun aimed directly at her. KORRA quickly drops out of the Avatar State.

She manages to deflect the cannon with a massive hit to the side at the last moment but that sends the beam sweeping in an arc that shortens most of the buildings in Nanfang. Explosions ripple across the city behind her.