Chapter Text

BLACK

There are only faint sounds of wind and the nearly inaudible noises of the ocean; waves and distant seabirds.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS

Then there is a sudden riot of noise as the view abruptly switches to a large coastal city. A beam of blue light bursts forth into the sky as the roof of the Republic City Pro-bending Stadium explodes outward from a shockwave within. As the rubble falls from the sky a blinding blue light lances upwards, warping the clouds around it as it stabs into the sky. Down below, the mask of Amon slides to a halt across the boardwalk. Then KORRA, surrounded by a whirling sphere of wind steps to the edge of the shattered upper story and looks down. Her eyes are two blazing points of light.

Far away in a red temple full of burning brasiers the eyes of three dark metal statues of men and women in lifelike dancing poses begin to glow.

The same happens to animistic forms of carved wood in a snowy blue shrine before a sacred pool somewhere high in the north.

A lone man in rough brown clothes slowly sweeps across a dusty, leaf strewn floor before he notices with a start that the stone statue before him is looking back with glowing blue eyes. He steps back in wonder, then jumps back in fear as he looks up to see an endless spiraling row of statues climbing up the inside wall of this hollow tower all have their shining eyes. The sweeper turns and runs out of the room.

In a temple of green stone pillars, priests are applying precise touches of paint to a mural that stretches across a long and vast stone wall. The eyes of those long rows of painted figures begin to glow. The painters gasp and then a head priest steps forward.

EARTH PRIEST

The new Avatar has now come into her full power.

(turns to one of his men)

Send the word.

EXT. A RUGGED MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE OF LIMESTONE PEAKS AND SPIRES

This is a wild and forested land of mountains far from any civilization. The ridges and pillars of pale stone break from the sea of green leaves like waves. There is no sign of any human touch amid this misty forest. Then a single small structure becomes visible, a dark-walled eight sided hut-like building resting on a tall stone pilar that stands a few dozen yards away from a larger cliffside on this mountain.

INT. THE DARK-WALLED OCTAGONAL ROOM

Inside is sparsely equipped, like a monastic cell in a particularly austere monastery. There is a bedroll in the corner and little else. A man in his late forties or early fifties, ZAHEER, sits cross legged on the floor with his eyes closed in meditation. His greying hair and beard are long and ill-tended, giving him the look of the archetypal mystical mountain-top hermit.

ZAHEER

(Takes a deep breath with eyes still closed, as if smelling the air)

Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. Four nations, four cultures; and above them all, the Avatar. So it has been for ten thousand years.

With his finger he traces symbols in the thin layer of dust that covers his floor. Water, Earth, Fire, and then finally the three spirals of Air.

ZAHEER

(eyes still closed)

The Avatar. One individual, reborn again and again with power greater than any other, but still not enough to hold onto that precious balance. Nations rise and fall through invasion, creation, occupation, and genocide.

(Scratches a line from edge of the fire symbol to the middle of the earth and water symbols. Erases the air nation symbol)

But no matter the injustice, soon people forget and think that the "way things are" is the "way things ought to be". There are always those who benefit from the way things are.

(leans back a little more)

But there is a fundamental truth in this world. Everything changes.

A breeze blows in and wipes the drawing clear. As the view retreats away from ZAHEER it is revealed that the other wall of the building we had not seen is in fact a cage of metal bars. This is a prison, not a monastery.

MAIN TITLE

INT. A LAVISH HIGH-CEILINGED ROOM IN THE REPUBLIC CITY CAPITAL BUILDING

The large room is mostly filled by a long table. On all sides dignitaries and government officials are seated in a variety of formal traditional outfits debating something that has resulted in the table being covered with diagrams and lists that bare the marks of being constantly amended. In the center and in the position of prominence is KORRA, dressed in semi-formally blue and white. Two White Lotus guards stand at perfect attention behind her as a ceremonial honor guard, standing before a large mural of the world and its countries complete with marks for the old air temples. KORRA is bored out of her mind.

UNITED REPUBLIC OFFICIAL

(with pomp and ceremony)

Then it is decided! For the official inauguration of the United Republic's first elected president, this committee unanimously declares that the national delegations shall...enter from the left to the right.

Indistinct arguing bursts out again from across the city. KORRA's head sinks lower in frustration.

UNITED REPUBLIC OFFICIAL.

People, people! The delegations are arriving within a week and the swearing in is soon after that! We need to get this settled. Now, after the Avatar and her White Lotus guardians go on stage, the Air Nation will be the first to take their position, followed by-

WATER TRIBE OFFICIAL

(interrupts)

Excuse me, but the Air Nation is currently reduced to one man and his family. Is it really fair that Master Tenzin constitutes his own delegation, equal to that of our countries?

(Looking to Korra for possible ethnic solidarity)

What is Avatar Korra's position on this?

KORRA straightens up and opens her mouth.

KORRA

Well, I think that-

However the UNITED REPUBLIC OFFICIAL makes a small motion begging her to hold off.

UNITED REPUBLIC

The Avatar will be attending the ceremony as an honored guest, acknowledging both her contributions during the Equalist crisis as well as the legitimacy her presence gives the new office of the President. And the Air Nation question has already been decided. Now, if we could avoid further interruptions-

EARTH KINGDOM OFFICIAL

(haughty and grumpy)

By all means, continue. The last Avatar favorited this country he created out of the illegally occupied Earth Kingdom territories, it's not a surprise that Avatar Korra would continue that trend. It certainly explains why she is here honoring a newly created president before she ever even presents herself to the Earth Queen.

KORRA

(slightly annoyed)

Wait, I haven't actually-

FIRE NATION OFFICIAL

(Louder and Dismissive)

"Illegally occupied", ha. Like the Avatar's saying, the war's been over for seventy years. Let's try to not restart it here at this table. This land's been the United Republic now for almost as long as we held it as a Fire Empire colony.

EARTH KINGDOM OFFICIAL

(darkly)

And it was of the Earth Kingdom for eight thousand years before that. But I suppose the past must be completely forgotten.

UNITED REPUBLIC OFFICIAL

Ladies! Gentlemen! Please!

(to RAIKO, pleading)

President Raiko?

Everyone is glaring at everyone, with the exception of KORRA and the man sitting opposite her at the table, soon-to-be President RAIKO. KORRA's hand clenches into a fist out of frustration for there not being anything she can do here, and he sees it. Beside RAIKO his Vice President sighs wearily.

RAIKO

(Chuckling)

Don't look at me. I'm not president yet, or indeed anything but a private citizen until that swearing in.

UNITED REPUBLIC OFFICIAL

People! The seating chart is done but we still have a final, very important thing to get to.

KORRA brightens at the prospect of real work or at least of escaping.

UNITED REPUBLIC OFFICIAL

The flower arrangements. Now, if you could all sign off on this plan we can...

EARTH NATION OFFICIAL

(Interrupts)

I have an objection.

KORRA groans and sags into her seat again with frustration at these politicians constantly squabbling like children.

Behind her, off to the side, a broad window looks out over the gleaming towers of Republic City.

INT. NATIONAL MUSEUM

TENZIN, dressed in his formal saffron cape which contrasts well with the arrow tattoos that adorn his shaved head along with the backs of his hands, stands before an ancient air-bender artifact. He looking down on it with loving eyes. Then the view changes and a reflection shines, revealing that the artifact is sealed in a glass display stand. He sighs and looks up, dispelling his revery.

TENZIN

I'm sorry, what was the question?

The room is clearly part of a museum. Airbender artifacts are displayed on all the walls with helpful interpretive signs before them, roped off from the public with velvet ropes. TENZIN is standing in the center of the space, joined by his wife, PEMMA, and their four children, one an infant held in PEMMA'S arms. The second youngest child, MEELO sneezes and is briefly pushed back by a burst of wind until PEMMA braces him with a hand against his head, a practiced gesture she does without even looking down. In the corner of the room there is a small knot of men and women in clothes similar to the family's but much less ornate. None of them have tattoos. A few reporters are standing before Tenzin holding notebooks, while behind them a cameraman screws a new flashbulb into his camera.

REPORTER

(looking back at his notes)

Er... Councilor Tenzin, what is the goal of this exhibit-

TENZIN

(Interrupts)

Not Councilor. The United Republic's ruling council was disbanded as part of the Equalist settlement. The provisional government has taken its place until newly elected President Raiko can take his office. I'm just Tenzin now.

REPORTER

(not caring about hearing this again)

Right. So is that why you're donating these artifacts to the museum?

TENZIN

(taking a breath for a speech)

The Air Nation, my father's people, were almost exterminated by war. War of a nature that we in this country have recently been reminded of.

(gestures to the exhibits)

But despite all that death, the works of my ancestors still live on. Now, those ancient monks believed that mastery over the element of air was the heart of their culture, and though that art lives on in me and my children, and Avatar Korra, for the rest of the world that does not share the gift I hope there is still something they can learn from the air monk's ideals of spirituality and pacifism and, and....

He loses track of what he was trying to say. An awkward silence descends over the room until his eldest daughter JINORA, 13, steps forward.

JINORA

(To the reporters)

Exhibits like this one will bring the teachings of the lost air-benders to life in the heart of every person who comes to see them. They are part of something greater than any individual. That is a connection that can never be destroyed.

With a precise series of hand motions and a shifting of her stance JINORA summons up a tightly contained swirl of air that lifts her up and smoothly slides her back across the room to a particularly large artifact display near the small knot of air acolytes.

JINORA

(to the reporters)

If you'd follow me, there are a few very interesting pieces here which I am sure our acolyte students of Air Nation culture would be happy to explain to you.

The reporters cheerfully follow her, clearly relieved that their fluff news assignment is finally getting some fluff instead of gloom. PEMMA, babe in arms, moves over to her husband's side.

PEMMA

You did very will.

TENZIN

I was a disaster. Jinora saved me.

PEMMA

(pleasantly)

Yes you were, and you are going to remember to thank her for that.

The two other children are starting to go stir crazy and run around their parents.

PEMMA

(catching hold of two collars with one hand)

Let's slip out while we can. Give Jinora a signal to meet us.

EXT. NATIONAL MUSEUM

The family makes their way down the front steps. The two younger children are arguing.

IKI

No, Meelo, you can't put your crayon drawings in the museum!

MEELO

Why not? I'm a air-bender! That makes them air-bender artifacts!

IKI

(Bobbing up on a puff of air for height)

Does not!

MEELO

(Going higher)

Does too!

IKI

(preparing for a mighty leap)

Does...!

A large and firm hand clamps down on the top of her head to prevent her from rising. She turns to see BUMI, a wild haired man in his early sixties, dressed in an unbuttoned military dress coat over a sleeveless undershirt. He is a man still awash in the freedom of recent retirement who has not yet found a happy medium of freedom and civilization.

IKI

(Cheerful)

Uncle Bumi!

TENZIN

(sarcastic)

How good of you to join us.

BUMI

(gives an expansive shrug)

Hey, you're the air-bender in the family. Besides, I'm still getting used to "civilian" time. Retirement's a big change for me.

TENZIN

The military is more precise about time not...Oh, never mind.

Along the street workers are still repairing smashed bits of masonry, replacing smashed glass, and scrubbing scorch marks off the walls. It will take a while for the city to shed the evidence of the failed Equalist revolution. There are a few knots of people watching this who look like they would rather have it succeeded.

BUMI

Hopefully a non-bender President helps change things here. Half the time this city still feels occupied and out of the navy I'm not allowed to carry a weapon anymore.

BUMI winces slightly as he makes a motion with his shoulder, sign of the injury that triggered his retirement.

BUMI

Lin's police are busting enough heads to keep the fear but... you know. The other countries are all watching us right now.

TENZIN

There's a lot of things I hope will change. We'll just have to wait and see.

The family walks by two metal-armored police who watch all the passing citizenry with suspicion.

INT. BEIFONG'S OFFICE, POLICE HEADQUARTERS

LIN BEIFONG stands behind her desk, wearing a cloth uniform instead of her usual metal armor, facing out the window. Down in the courtyard below, officers are burning confiscated Equalist propaganda. For a moment an image of AMON'S masked face looks up from the flames. LIN massages her arm, working her fingers at certain spots.

She glances back at her desk. There is a small, ordinary looking bit of rock sitting off to one side between neat stacks of papers and her row of pens. LIN takes a breath and plants her feet more firmly on the floor, she thrusts out her fist and on the desk the rock wobbles slightly. She forcibly brings her arm back and the rock slides a few inches across towards her. Then there is the sound of someone at her door and LIN smoothly returns to a relaxed standing position as if nothing had happened.

LIN BEIFONG

Enter.

In comes MAKO, dressed in a police uniform and still looking a combination of uncomfortable and proud about that fact.

MAKO

Chief Beifong, sir.

(he belatedly decides to salute, but ends up overdoing it)

LIN

(gesturing for him to ease up)

Relax Mako, don't give yourself a hernia on the first day. The job'll do that on its own soon enough.

MAKO

(Nodding)

Right. I'm ready to get started. Whatever you need me for. Hunting down remaining Equalist cells, going after the Triads, stopping election reprisal violence; you name it and I'm on it.

LIN

(Slowly and with a slight smirk)

Right.

EXT. REPUBLIC CITY STREET

MAKO is directing traffic with a weary, zoned out expression on his face. The pro-bending arena is visible in the distance. Then he sags in dejection, only to be immediately rewarded by the sound of a minor car accident followed by a lot of yelling.

INT. PRO-BENDING ARENA

In the middle of the ring, BOLIN is in a team huddle wearing his full padded uniform.

BOLIN

(dramatically)

All right, this match is our chance to make it to the playoffs. It's a tough job but we've been in worse and we've succeeded. That other team might have better funding, better coaching, and shinier teeth; but we're a family! We love each other, and protect each other, and we are going to win! Go Fire Ferrets!

The other two players are complete strangers we have never seen before.

FIRE FERRETS PLAYER

Uh...

The other player's helmet slides down over her eyes.

Next thing, all three Fire Ferrets players are flying back out of the ring, propelled by blasts of water, earth, and fire.

ANNOUNCER

(Excited)

And the Fire Ferrets are eliminated in record time!

BOLIN climbs up the ladder out of the pool below the ring, soaking wet. He looks back at the crowd and one empty stadium box in particular. His face falls a bit. However, a portion of the crowd still cheers for him.

FEMALE FAN

(distantly)

We still love you, Bolin!

He smiles and keeps climbing.

EXT. PROBENDING ARENA

BOLIN exits, wearing his street clothes with the cuffs on his sleeves habitually rolled up. On the street he waves goodby to his teammates who quickly disappear into the crowd. BOLIN is left alone and his smile slips. Then he sees a few kids in ratty clothes squatting down in the mouth of an alley flicking rocks at a pro-bending ring scratched in the dirt. He smiles and makes his way over to them. When he gets close they see him and get up to leave but BOLIN waves his hands.

BOLIN

(reassuring)

Hey, no, it's ok. I used to play the same thing with my brother all the time.

One boy still bolts into the crowd but the other remains. BOLIN grabs his own wallet out of his pocket and plucks a few small bills from it. The kid looks at him very suspiciously but still reaches out to grab the money with a lightning fast snatch. BOLIN puts the wallet back in his pocket and his smile just grows broader as he sees the kid covertly counting the money without unfolding the bills. BOLIN kicks the ground in an earth-bending form and raises up a lump of the alley floor to sit down on.

BOLIN

Hey, you got somewhere to sleep tonight? 'cus I know a place a few blocks from here. Most times they've got a space free and it's safe, so you and your friend can...

At that moment the kid nods at something behind BOLIN and abruptly spins to take off running down the alley just as someone takes off running down the sidewalk behind BOLIN. BOLIN frowns in confusion until a thought occurs to him and he pats his pocket. His wallet is missing.

BOLIN

(sighs)

Yeah, I used to play that one with Mako too.

He walks off to grab a ride.

INT. SATO INDUSTRIES HANGER

Inside a vast hanger space mostly taken up with a huge airship, ASAMI SATO is on the ground level, half crawling deep into a large propeller engine set aside on the floor. With a slight puff of exhalation she pulls herself back out of the innards and scowls down at them. For someone who has just been inside an engine she is spotless and ready for a catwalk. Several technicians and engineers are standing behind her.

ASAMI SATO

(looking into the engine)

Well, you're right. None of the fittings are loose. It looks like there are a few housings with a pretty tight clearance that could conceivably be causing those vibrations in that speed range but I'm not sure what-

BOLIN

(In the distance across the hanger)

Hey, Asami!

ASAMI SATO

(turning)

Bolin?

(to the other technicians)

Um, good work. Keep trying to come up with a fix before the demonstration.

TECHNICIANS

(together)

Yes, Miss Sato.

BOLIN walks across the broad hanger floor to meet ASAMI who is wiping some small spots of grease off her hands at a small table stand.

BOLIN

How you doing? I thought I might see you at the match today, but your private box was empty.

ASAMI

(apologetic but audibly tired)

Sorry, I wanted to but I haven't been able to get away from the company for...Well, for weeks and weeks, I've lost track. Things are getting pretty...

(She refocuses on being polite and welcoming)

I mean, how did your match go?

BOLIN

(cheerfully glum)

Yeah, we lost. We're out for the season. The new guys are ok but without Mako or Korra I really don't know what I'm doing. But Mako's got his cop thing and of course Korra's always doing something important. Everyone's kind of split to the four winds.

(he sees how tired ASAMI is)

Things aren't going great for you either?

ASAMI

(Sighs, and then quietly so her workers can't hear her)

Sato Industries is in trouble. After everything my father did supporting Amon, the company is practically blacklisted here in the UR. We're paying huge restitution fines and half our stock was confiscated by the government. In fact if we don't land a big new contract it may be...

(She finishes her clean up by putting back on her watch and sees the time)

Oh no. The City Hall meeting. I'm going to be late! The new generators for the city repair contracts are...Sorry, Bolin! I have to go! You can...can...

BOLIN

(waves off her last attempts at hostessing)

Go! Do your thing! I'm fine!

Just outside the main hanger entrance, Asami's valet hops out of the car as he sees her approaching in a rush. He holds open the passenger side door for her but ASAMI jumps clear across the center console to land in the driver's seat.

ASAMI

(to valet)

Sorry, Tian! I'm in a hurry!

ASAMI slams the car into gear and races off in a roar of the powerful engine, leaving the valet blinking. BOLIN is left in the empty hanger floor, dissolutely putting his hands in his pockets.

INT. REPUBLIC CITY CAPITOL BUILDING

KORRA gingerly opens a tall, ornate door and slides out, nervously looking behind her. From inside, the noises of arguing people filter out. KORRA hurriedly slinks away and then begins to stride down the halls with a visible sense of relief, stretching her arms above her head. Then she turns a corner and sees ASAMI standing in the hall pressing her forehead against a large closed door.

KORRA

Um, Asami?

ASAMI

(Spinning around in sudden embarrassment)

Korra! I was just...

(sighs and gestures to the door)

They shut me out of the bidding for the new city contracts. The government is now refusing to do business while Sato Industries is still under investigation. And apparently they did not feel the need to tell me that until today! Bureaucrats.

KORRA

That's rough. And here I was about to complain about my day with the politicians.

(brief pause, taking in Asami's dejection)

Hey, do you want to get out of here? It feels like its been ages since I've seen you.

ASAMI

You know, I think I need that. I just raced all the way down from the company like a madwoman.

KORRA looks at ASAMI's perpetually perfect hair and makeup.

KORRA

(weary exasperation mixed with a bit of jealousy)

Let me guess. In your convertible. With the top down.

ASAMI

(confused)

Yes?

(a new idea comes to her)

Hey, did Tenzin ever teach you how to drive? Never mind, I'll give you a lesson. I could do with a bit of relaxation as a passenger.

KORRA

(speaking quickly as she glances back behind her)

Awesome! But let's leave now because I kind of snuck out and I think those guys are starting to realize I'm gone.

(The sound of someone yelling behind her)

Whoop, time to go!

KORRA grabs the startled ASAMI's hand and they both dash for the exit.

EXT. REPUBLIC CITY STREETS

The two women are in ASAMI's black convertible driving through the city. KORRA grins, looking forward with her hands on the wheel while the engine revs.

KORRA

Now here we go! Wow, this a lot more fun than that parking lot! Thanks for this Asami. Thanks a lot. I...You know, I've never really had a girl friend my own age before.

ASAMI on the other hand is gripping the handle of her door with a white knuckled grip, tension and anxiety writ across her face.

ASAMI

(Tight but with attempted sincerity)

I'm glad you're happy.

The clutch makes a horrible grinding noise and ASAMI winces. Up ahead there is a large crowd of people spilling into the street.

ASAMI

(rising panic)

Now you're going to need to break up here. Break up here. Break! BREAK!

(calmly)

And get out of gear to not stall.

The car comes to a slightly screeching halt, and as ASAMI verifies that she isn't in fact dead KORRA looks out at the crowd that has blocked them.

KORRA

(to pedestrian)

Hey, what's going on?

PEDESTRIAN

Police've got someone up on a ledge over there. 'Parantly he's some guy just woke up with bending powers one day. Freaked out and caused a whole lot of trouble.

KORRA

What? That's now how the elements work at...

(to Asami)

I've got to go help. You can stay with the car and-

ASAMI

(climbing out)

I'm coming too. You've already got one wheel over the curb so this is basically parked.

They push their way into the crowd, some people giving way as murmurs of "the Avatar" pass through the crowd. Then they reach the center of the commotion and find MAKO looking exhausted and harried trying to keep everyone back. He is not alone, two armored metal-specialist earth-benders are with him, setting up unbreakable metal barricades that they bend into place with their hands. The front of this building looks smashed up, with windows blown out and a door blasted off its hinges.

Someone in the crowd throws a ball of paper that bounces off MAKO's head. He catches it and ignites it into fire in his hand.

MAKO

Hey! Who threw that!

KORRA

Mako?

MAKO

Korra? Wow, you got here fast! I just sent someone to go get-

KORRA

(shaking her head)

Asami and I just drove into this crowd. What is this? Beifong's metal force earth-bender's seem like an overreaction.

MAKO

It's a who, not a what. There was a report of a violent bender so I showed up.

KORRA

(sighs)

Great. More reprisals against Amon's supporters? Or are the triads up and running again?

MAKO

(shakes his head)

Nothing like that. Crazy as it sounds...That guy's an air-bender.

He points up and KORRA now notices a terrified man, DONG, clinging to the outside of a high window. He would look like a normal person if he was not on the wrong side of the building wall and the only motion to the air seems to be coming from the light breeze teasing his clothes. The gathered crowd is watching half in sympathy and half in anticipation.

KORRA

(confused but confidant in her answers)

No, no he's not. Who told you that? Heck, I live on the island with all four air-benders in the world and he's not one of them.

MAKO

(throwing his hands up)

Yeah, that's what I said until the guy flung his arms around and I got thrown back into a wall by a small hurricane. Then he blasted away down the street half thrown by the wind. He's an air-bender all right.

KORRA

(Looking up)

What...? But they were all...How?

ASAMI

(half to herself)

Maybe Tenzin's dad had a few more kids than people thought?

MAKO

(Ignoring this speculation and taking out his notebook)

His name's Dong. The guy's brother called it in, said that he'd never been a bender at all until he freaked out today and started smashing their shop with wind while yelling that he was sorry over and over again. Whatever happened, this guy is a danger. Can barely control what he's doing.

Up on the building side, DONG waves his arm like he trying to make the crowd below him go away. Instead his motion summons a gust that sets the building's lower flags and awnings snapping and tosses around many of the watcher's hats.

ASAMI

(Looking up at Dong with sympathy)

Look at him, he's terrified. Korra, what are...

Not waiting for more conversation, KORRA runs up to the building and on a sudden spike of earth leaps up high into the air, alighting on a bit of ornamental stonework before another swirling gust carries her up still higher. In a few seconds these bounding leaps have carried her up next to DONG.

ASAMI and MAKO are left on the ground. MAKO is clearly uncomfortable about being next to ASAMI who he has not spent any time alone with since they broke up.

MAKO

(awkwardly)

So, about when I kissed Korra while you and I were still dating, I...

ASAMI

(smoothly interrupting)

Not the time.

MAKO

(very quickly and with relief)

Right.

Halfway up the side of the building KORRA alights on a bit of ornamental stonework near DONG. In a panic, one of his feet slips off the window ledge but as he franticly kicks out into open air, an accidentally summoned gust of wind pushes him back to a secure position. KORRA reaches toward him but he shrinks away.

DONG

(afraid)

Ah! The Avatar! Please, I didn't mean to do any of this! Don't make me come down. I didn't want any trouble! It just...It started a few months ago, right when Amon fell, and now it's just getting worse and...and I don't know how to stop it. It was an accident! I'm just a normal guy. I work in a shop!

(softly)

Make it stop.

KORRA raises her hands to assure him she is not getting any closer. After looking around for a moment, she grabs a bit of dust off the window ledge and holds it in the open palm of her hand. She raises her other fist beside it and the flat pile of dust rises up into the air above her palm. Then she rotates her fist and the pile rotates like a slowly tumbling disk. Then she flicks her palm and the dust is dispersed by a tiny tornado, which vanishes when she closes her hand only to be replaced by a floating bit of flame. That in turn is scattered as KORRA reaches out to sweep her hand through the air, drawing it back now covered in drops of dew that flow uphill to pool on her fingertips. As she does this she is talking to DONG while he has something to focus on besides the drop-off below him.

KORRA

(while bending)

You aren't in trouble and I can't make it stop. Whatever's happened to you, I won't pretend to understand it. But no matter what's going on or how it happened, you're an air-bender now, Dong. And it's ok that you're afraid. You've just discovered a connection to a powerful element and you aren't sure how to control it. That can be scary. I know, I've done it four times.

(turns back to Dong)

This is a lot to take in but there are people who can help. People who are going to see you as the amazing miracle that you are. How does that sound?

DONG.

(nodding slowly before looking down at MAKO)

What about that cop. I...I threw him into a wall. I think he's mad.

KORRA

(amused)

Nah, he's always like that. Let me handle the cop.

DONG

(hesitant)

I...I think I'm ready to come down. Let me just...

DONG's foot slips again. He falls clear off the ledge with blank faced surprise. In an instant KORRA has leaped off as well, fire igniting behind her heels and palms to propel her down faster than gravity. She catches DONG and slows them both down in a huge tornado that briefly roars into existence for just long enough to catch them. KORRA lands on the sidewalk feet first, cradling DONG in her arms. He continues to scream very softly.

MAKO

Korra!

KORRA

We're ok! We're...

(getting her screaming passenger's attention)

Hey, Dong, we're ok.

The crowd begins to cheer. More cops are arriving but the crowd is already backing up out of respect and a little bit of fear for the Avatar's power. The excited murmurs of new-born rumors are rising in volume.

KORRA

(to Dong with a smile)

Give them a little wave.

DONG uncertainly waves his hand around and accidentally flips KORRA's hair into her face with a gust of air as the crowd cheers again.

INT. POLICE STATION

DONG is in the center of a commotion. Doctors are poking him, photographers are snapping photos, and a priest is chanting while waving burning incense around him. Everyone is trying to figure out the mystery of this dazed, still rather terrified man. KORRA is watching from a little distance away. Then TENZIN comes up beside her, his own face dazed with wonder and disbelief. KORRA recognizes this and stays silent.

TENZIN

I...I didn't believe when they told me. I think I still may not.

Across the room DONG sneezes and flips backwards in he chair from the force of the wind that summons.

TENZIN

Incredible. How is this possible?

KORRA

I was kind of hoping you'd tell me. Dong says his connection to the element started appearing a few months ago. The day Amon went down. Not that that makes any sense, Dong never had any sort of bending in the first place and he never even saw Amon. At first he thought the gusts of wind around him were weird a coincidence, then he tried to hide it. I think he's afraid of us punishing him for air-bending without permission.

TENZIN

(thinking while still looking at DONG in wonder)

A few months ago. After all these years since the war and the genocide, nothing. And now...? Why now? What changed?

TENZIN turns to KORRA and looks at her. Something occurs to him.

KORRA

(confused)

What? What is it?

TENZIN

(distantly)

The day you defeated Amon. The blue light in the sky. That was the moment you unlocked the connection to your Avatar spirit. For the first time since the start of the war, since the end of the air nation, a new Avatar touched her full power.

KORRA

Woah, what? You think I did this? That me going all glowy eyes randomly gave this guy air-bending? How's that supposed to work?

TENZIN

(Sounding weary but exhilarated)

I really have no idea. The power of the Avatar is something beyond our understanding. Perhaps, as the protecter of the world's balance, your ascension...somehow began to right it.

Ignoring KORRA's confused sputtering, TENZIN walks forward, parting the crowd of police and specialists by force of his authority and antique grandure. Then he comes before DONG who shrinks back, all his fear now returned in full fourth as he quakes in his chair before the man in a saffron cape and ritual tattoos. Then TENZIN bows deeply before him.

TENZIN

Dong, I am Air-Master Tenzin, and it is the greatest honor of my life to meet you.

Back against the wall, KORRA watches this and is soon joined by LIN BEIFONG.

KORRA

It's kind of like a miracle, isn't it.

LIN BEIFONG

(with an unimpressed snort)

Something happening once may be a miracle. It happening twice is an inevitability. I've had my men rechecking a lot of reports from over the last few months. Incidents that may have been ignored as impossible when they first came through. It looks like Dong here may not be the only one.

KORRA

(turning to Lin)

More new air benders?

LIN BEIFONG

(nods)

Two more possibilities here in the United Republic, plus several rumors we heard from the Earth Kingdom provinces, even from as far as Ba Sing Se. And once news of this spreads there may be even more coming forward. This is a whole new situation now, something no one's ever experienced before. People who never had power before...There's a lot of potential for chaos.

KORRA

(laughing with excitement)

Come on, Beifong! Lighten up! The air-benders are coming back! For once in the world, this is just a good thing. A simple, unmarred, uncomplicated good thing. That never happens! Look at Tenzin, I've never seen him so full of...hope.

LIN grunts, but one corner of her mouth pricks up in the slightest hint of a smile.

LIN BEIFONG

You're the Avatar. I guess it's all in your jurisdiction anyway if things go wrong.

KORRA

(cheerful)

That's the spirit. Blame me.

(a little more serious)

And you're right, I think this is my responsibility.

EXT. ZAHEER'S PRISON, DAY

Up in the distant limestone peaks above the green treetops, ZAHEER's cell still sits alone on its tall natural stone spire. However, now a mechanical metal bridge slowly extends out from the larger forested plateau to connect the two. Four people in the white and blue uniforms of the White Lotus make their way over the bridge to the isolated cell.

ZAHEER sits on the floor in the center of his cell. He is cross legged with his eyes closed in meditation.

ZAHEER

(repeating a mantra)

Let go your earthly tether. Enter the void. Empty, and become wind.

(takes a deep breath, in and out)

Let go your earthly tether. Enter the void. Empty, and become wind.

The White Lotus guards come up and stand five feet in front of the metal bars,. One of them puts a metal bowl full of food on the ground and with jab of their fist sends it sliding inside the cell by invisible force.

WHITE LOTUS GUARD

(casually)

Chow time, Zaheer. I'm sure you'll find some free time to finish your meditation.

ZAHEER opens his eyes and reaches out to touch the bowl of food. Then he slides it to the side. He slowly stands up.

ZAHEER

(looking down)

Tell me, does the White Lotus still teach the works of Guru Laghima? He was an air-bender who lived almost two thousand years ago.

WHITE LOTUS GUARD

(with a familiarity born of years)

'fraid not.

ZAHEER

I thought so. His philosophy was a fascinating. Air is the element of freedom, but while the ancient air monks in their temples were content to seek spiritual freedom for themselves and their kin, Guru Laghima turned his eyes to what was best for the entire world. The people of all nations, under all governments.

WHTIE LOTUS GUARD

(not really listening)

Decent of him.

ZAHEER

(darker)

Yes, it was. And while the air monks preached pacifism and detachment from worldly politics, Laghima foresaw what end that would inevitably lead them towards. Extinction. There is injustice in this world. And true change can not come without first the destruction of the old.

The White Lotus Guards exchange looks, slightly disturbed by this talk.

WHITE LOTUS GUARD 2

(aggressive)

Sit back down, prisoner.

WHITE LOTUS GUARD

(shakes his head)

Same old Zaheer. There's a reason you're locked up. And there's not going to be much of that change up here.

ZAHEER

That is where you are wrong. In this universe, change is the only true constant.

ZAHEER suddenly turns and sweeps into a perfected air-bending form, sucking the main White LOTUS guard up against the bars of his cell with a punishing burst of wind. In the second of dazed surprise that follows, ZAHEER dashes up and grabs the guard's arms through the bars, viciously breaking them both in one motion. Then he snatches the keys off the guard's belt and unlocks the door to his cell just as the other White Lotus are recovering from the surprise.

WHITE LOTUS GUARD 2

How did he...? Stop him!

ZAHEER bursts out of his cell in a swirl of wind. The White Lotus guards are skilled in fire, earth, and water but virtually no one has had any experience fighting air-benders in over one hundred years, and ZAHEER was a dangerous fighter even before he received the unexpected gift of bending. One by one ZAHEER takes out the guards, using his new air powers to dodge their attacks and get in close for brutal hand-to-hand takedowns. The last standing guard manages to send off a signal back the way they had come but then he is face down in the dirt and ZAHEER leaps down the side of his mountain pillar prison. He bounds from crack to crack to make his escape with the aid of the wind, half like a mountain goat, half like a floating bird.

Down in the forest below ZAHEER can hear a commotion from the prison above but there is no chance they are going to catch him. Then he steps between two trees into a small clearing and feels a slight breeze against his face. After being imprisoned for over a decade, he is finally free. He closes his eyes as he lifts his face towards the sun, his fingers gripping into his long hair behind his head. Amid the trees, he is in a silence somewhere between laughing, crying, cheering, and roaring.

EXT. REPUBLIC CITY SKY-DOCK, DAY

With the skyscrapers of Republic City rising in the background, KORRA and her friends gather at the huge lawn of the airship mooring yard. A large airship is set up for boarding, marked on its side with a freshly painted symbol of Yin and Yang surrounded by the symbols of the four elements, beside a much smaller Sato Industries logo. Baggage is being loaded in. In the field there are several groups in evidence, as well as one six legged-shaggy air bison who is large enough to be several groups by himself. In the forefront, in front of a large delegation of Republic City notables, is KORRA backed by several White Lotus personnel. Next to her are BOLIN, ASAMI, and MAKO. Off to the side TENZIN is speaking to his family, his brother BUMI at his back.

One Republic City figure in particular is distressed by this leave-taking.

REPUBLIC CITY OFFICIAL

(frantic)

Avatar Korra, please! You can't leave now! What about the inauguration? Will you be back in time?

KORRA

(unconcerned)

I might be, or I might not. But finding these new air-benders is more important. If my avatar powers had something to do with them then they're my responsibility. If not, well, I'm still the world's "protecter of balance" so they're still my responsibility.

REPUBLIC CITY OFFICIAL

But all the national delegations will be arriving within a week! All the plans..,!

KORRA

Keep your plans, for now. Could be we're back in a week. Or maybe not. And hey, at least maybe those Earth Kingdom guys will stop giving you grief. After all, I'm heading to Ba Sing Se just like the Earth Queen wanted me to.

REPUBLIC CITY OFFICIAL

(wails)

Ba Sing Se? Ah! You'll never make it back for the ceremony! President Raiko, please! Talk some sense into...

RAIKO

(advancing from the rear of the UR party)

Just Raiko, not president.

REPUBLIC CITY OFFICIAL

(shaken)

Huh?

RAIKO

(weary of explaining)

I have been elected but I am not president of the United Republic of Nations until I am sworn to the office. And I leave the Avatar's travel plans to the Avatar and the White Lotus. She has her own duties which range far from this country of ours.

(casually steps in closer to Korra and speaks in a lower covert tone)

Duties which could easily keep her away from the inauguration and overshadowing my newly created office. The United Republic is healing; redefining its identity as something other than the creation of an Avatar. I think this might be a great time for an extended vacation.

Before KORRA can react to this implied hint of menace any more than by changing expression RAIKO steps away from her and is all smiles.

RAIKO

(bowing before spreading his arms in good wishes)

I wish you all a pleasant and successful journey!

Off to the side TENZIN notices something is going on with KORRA and RAIKO. In particular that KORRA is looking at the president elect with disbelief bordering on murderous indignation. He turns back to PEMMA. Behind him is BUMI, carrying a comically large backpack, and young JINORA who is looking very professional as always.

TENZIN

Uh oh. I should deal with that before we have to hold another election.

(To Pemma)

Ok Pemma, so you are going to stay in Republic City with Dong and-

PEMMA

(interrupts)

And welcome any new air-benders who might come to the temple island looking for answers. I know, we've been over it many times. Don't worry. Or if you must, worry about yourself. You're off across the world to find these people who never had any idea they had any connection to the air nation! That could be rough.

TENZIN

(dismissive and a bit pompous)

What? I'll be fine. My entire lifetime has been preparing myself for this task.

PEMMA

(skeptical)

Right.

BUMI

(claps his arm around Tenzin)

Don't worry Pems, I'll be watching after him. He won't get in any trouble. I may not be an air-bender, but back in the navy I once defended a newly hatched chick against forty assassins for a week with only a pair of chopsticks and a rose bush!

(corrects himself)

Nah, you got me. That's an exaggeration. It was only thirty-eight assassins.

PEMMA

(even more skeptical)

Jinora! Keep an eye on both of them!

JINORA nods as TENZIN and BUMI continue a murmur of bickering

TENZIN

(grumbling)

What do you even have in that pack?

BUMI

(worryingly dismissive)

Don't worry 'bout it.

With TENZIN taking over talking to the local government people, the rest of the younger says their goodbyes. MAKO stands before KORRA and ASAMI, looking very uncomfortable about this situation.

MAKO

(saluting stiffly)

Avatar. Miss Sato.

KORRA and ASAMI exchange amused looks.

KORRA

(with mock seriousness)

Mister Mako.

MAKO

(Holds forth a cylindrical document case and speaks awkwardly)

Um. On behalf of the Republic City police department I've compiled all the reports of possible air-bender manifestations onto this map. We'll send telegram of any new information that comes our way, as ordered by you, the Avatar.

BOLIN sweeps in to beside MAKO

BOLIN

(over-the-top pleading)

Come on, bro. You've got to come with us!

MAKO

(less stiffly and more naturally)

Bolin, you know I can't.

BOLIN

But this is an adventure! And we're going all the way to Ba Sing Se, capital of the Earth Kingdom. Where dad came from! Isn't that incredible? What if I find our long lost family? What if I meet our sweet old grandmother who we never knew and she says;

(in an old lady voice)

Oh, wonderful, handsome Bolin, it's a dream come true to finally meet you! But where's your brother?

(normal voice)

And I'll have to say: I'm sorry sweet old grandma, but Mako said he'd rather be filing important police paperwork. And she starts to cry those grandma tears and is like;

(old lady voice)

Mako! Why?! Why?! Mako, I can't go on, I-

(normal voice, flat affect)

And then she dies.

MAKO

(after a brief pause)

I don't think that's going to happen.

BOLIN

Yeah, it won't if you come with us! Come on, who's going to watch out for me when I do stupid stuff? I'm sure it wouldn't be awkward with Korra and Asami, even though you sort of had a thing with both of them and that didn't really end well and-

MAKO

(hisses)

Shut up.

(Sighs)

Look, it's not really a choice. With the pro-bending season over you're unemployed, but I still have a job. It's not like I've got any vacation time yet! You'll be fine without me. Look, the Order of the White Lotus is sending tons of guys with you. They'll have your back, I'm sure.

INT. SATO AIRSHIP

The interior of the ship is sparkling new and lavish in its apportionment. The effect resembles a lobby of the Titanic if a lot more bamboo had been used in the construction for weight considerations. KORRA is clearly impressed while ASAMI looks proud. Several figures in the white and blue uniforms of the White Lotus are standing at attention to welcome them.

WHITE LOTUS COMMANDER AOTO

(ceremoniously)

Welcome aboard, Avatar Korra. The airship is secure and we will be setting off momentarily.

KORRA

(with much less ceremony)

Yeah, thanks, Aoto.

(looks around)

Wow, look at this place!

ASAMI

(proudly)

Sato Streamer one-fifteen. Top of the line. And thankfully no longer sitting in a hanger costing the company a fortune without earning a single yuan. The first new sale contract in too long,

AOTO

(correcting)

Rental contract, remember. Not sale. The Order of the White Lotus is not made of money.

KORRA

(irritated)

Don't you have some patrolling or security sweeping to do?

ASAMI

(Once AOTO leaves)

Do you have to be like that?

KORRA

(grunting in a vaguely apologetic manner)

The White Lotus kept me locked up at the training compound for thirteen years of my life "for my protection". I'm not super crazy about being under their watch again.

ASAMI

Well, I'm feeling pretty well disposed to them ever since they paid for this ship, no matter for how long. And with you meeting the Queen at the end of this I might even be able to sell more airships directly to the Earth Kingdom. You have no idea how much the company needs this.

KORRA

(grinning slightly)

Yeah? Why do you think I insisted they go to you for the transportation?

ASAMI

Really? You did...

(hugs Korra, genuine emotion in her voice)

Thank you.

KORRA

(still not completely used to hugs among her own age group)

No problem.

The room shakes slightly as the airship detaches from its mooring lines. BOLIN staggers in.

BOLIN

(slightly nervous)

I'm going to assume it's supposed to do that.

KORRA

We're taking off! Come on! Let's go up top!

EXT. TOP OF SATO AIRSHIP

KORRA exits out onto the observation deck on top of the airship. She is followed by all the ASAMI, BOLIN, and JINORA who gracefully bursts out onto the deck propelled by swirling air. KORRA approaches the railing and grips it, looking down at the city drifting away below them and the mountains rising up before them. The breeze blows against her face and she lights up into a grin. TENZIN approaches and joins her at the railing. He is carrying a tall staff in one hand and his cape flaps in the breeze.

TENZIN

It's been over a hundred years since the armies of the Fire Empire attacked the four Air Temples. Now, by this miracle, we set out to refill them.

A deep friendly grunt rumbles into their hearing as JINORA's sky bison flys up beside them by its own magical power. JINORA laughs and runs forward to spring off the railing in a burst of air, fearlessly leaping out over a two thousand foot void to the distant ground below. ASAMI claps her hand over her mouth as BOLIN lets out a high pitched scream, but the bison groans again and swoops in to easily catch the child on its back, before rising up again at JINORA's command, outpacing the airship in its native element. TENZIN frowns worriedly but says nothing.

KORRA

(chuckling)

I'm glad we've been keeping up my training. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself in front of this new air nation.

TENZIN

(shakes his head and holding forth the staff)

You are as much an air-bender as any of us. And that is why you deserve this.

KORRA

(inspecting the staff, before recognition lights across her face)

What is it?

TENZIN

My father presented me with such a staff on my twelfth birthday. For the air nomads it was a tool of their daily life. But for me it has always meant...freedom, and a connection to a past greater than myself.

KORRA holds the staff before her, feeling at the side with her fingers. Then her searching digit finds a hidden catch and with a sudden flick silk-cloth wings flip out of the side, transforming the staff into a man-sized glider. Her face lights up with pure joy and excitement. She looks at TENZIN and he nods. KORRA turns and takes off running towards the very front of the airship.

She reaches the end of the deck at full speed and with a bound she is up, one foot is on the railing, and then she pushes off, leaping into the air in a swirling motion as the wind whips and spirals around her at her command. She falls out of sight. Then she triumphantly rises back into view, soaring like a bird hanging and and foot from the glider, held up by her own air-bending prowess. ASAMI, BOLIN, and AOTO all run to the railing in time to see KORRA soaring and sweeping alongside the bulk of the airship. KORRA lets out a whooping laugh of exhilaration.

The airship glides over farms and fields giving way to hills and the forested slopes of mountains. It passes through a wide, gentle pass in the range between distant two snow capped peaks. From below, United Republic citizens in a small mountain town look up and cheer when they see the insignia of the Avatar passing by. On the other side of a river a thick stone fort rises, built centuries ago but still has the green flag with the gold circle flapping above it. Two soldiers in green uniforms of the Earth Kingdom look at KORRA's airship through binoculars. They then put the lenses down and nod grimly to each other. From within the fort the beeping sound of telegraph code sounds out.