Avatar Legend Of Korra

Pt 6(Last Part For Episode 1)

Act III

(We return to a shot of both Korra and the lead metalbender cop. Korra backpedals, growing defensive.)

Korra: What do you mean I am under arrest? Those are the bad guys over there, they were smashing up a shop!

(Cut to an overhead shot of the street. We can easily see the ripped up road, the swerving tread-marks, and the smashed shopfront the Triads drive through.)

Cop: From the looks of it, you smashed up a lot more than that.

(The cop shoots metal wire at Korra. She dodges and grabs the line, holding it. They tug at one another.)

Korra: Wait, you... you can't arrest me, let me explain!

(Cut back to the cop. He retracts the wire into his sleeve.)

Cop: You can explain yourself all you like down at headquarters.

(Cut back to Korra in front of the smashed storefront. She retreats as the cop comes at her, whipping his wires, but the assault is interrupted by Naga, who comes around and body checks the cop from behind. A reaction shot shows the other cops aghast. They quickly run to their partner's defense. Korra hops on Naga and they run for it. One cop takes a flying jump at them, but Korra puts her boot to his face and kicks him back. One cop comes to the aid of the kicked officer, while the second man shoots his wires at some overhead lines, pulling himself up and then skating alonge the metal in hot pursuit of Korra. Civilian bystanders gasp as the chase rushes past them.

Cut to the camera zooming close over a tiled roof, below in the background is Naga racing toward a bridge. As the camera zips past the edge of the roof, the tiles burst off the roof. They are knocked off by the metalbender, jumping off the roof and shooting a line at Korra. Cut to that line wrapping around her warrior's wolftail and yanking her head back. Grimacing in pain, Korra throws her hands back, whipping up pillars of ice from either side of the bridge she's crossing. Cut to metalbender's eyes going wide as he zooms face-first into the ice. His hold on Korra's hair goes slack. She looks back. Cut to the shadowed form of the cop sliding down the ice sheet, the spot opposite where he hit it spiderwebbed from the impact. Cut to Korra facing forward, a bit of a smile on her face.

Naga gallops down the street, at the edge of which is a staircase that she runs up. Cut to an overhead street at the top of that staircase. A green car swerves to a stop to dodge the polar bear-dog crossing the street. Cut to a shot of Korra atop Naga, racing alongside some buildings, and two metalbenders dropping down onto 'skating' lines. Korra peels towards the camera. Cut to Naga racing down a street, then jumping off a bridge and onto a passing train. Naga struggles with her foot for a moment, but comes out on top of the train. Korra sighs in relief.

Cut to a shot of Air Temple Island off in the bay. In the foreground, utility lines and the tops of buildings blur past it. Cut back to Korra as a shadow passes over her. A siren sounds and she looks up. A police airship is lowering itself down towards her. Cut back to Korra, her face set with determination. As the elevated train turns a corner, Naga leaps across a gulf to a building's roof. Yet even as they land, a web of metal lines encircles Naga, yanking them both high into the air. As Korra starts to react, a second tangle of lines traps her.

Cut to a sideways shot of Korra and Naga entangled in wires beneath a moving airship. They both struggle for a moment, then slacken as their defeat sets in.

New scene. An establishing shot of Republic City Police HQ, a wide, low building. As Lin Beifong starts to speak, we cut to a close-up shot of a statue standing at the center exterior of the HQ. It's an adult Toph wearing a police uniform, immortalized in bronze.

Cut to an elaborate-looking interrogation room. Korra, shoulders hunched, sits with her hands cuffed to a table. Chief Lin Beifong, holding a clipboard, walks behind the seated Avatar. She slams the clipboard down on the table and gives Korra the stink eye.)

Lin: Let's see, multiple counts of destruction of private and city property... not to mention evading arrest. You're in a whole mess of trouble young lady.

Korra: But there were some thugs threatening a helpless shop keeper and I had to...

Lin: Can it! You should have called the police and stayed out of the way.

Korra: But I couldn't just sit by and do nothing. It's my duty to help people. See, I'm the Avatar.

(Cut to Lin standing up, right Korra in the right-hand foreground.)

Lin: Oh I am well aware of who you are. And your Avatar title might impress some people, but not me.

(Cut back to Korra. Collecting herself, she shifts from cowed to determined.)

Korra: Alright, fine. Then I want to talk to whoever's in charge.

(Cut back to Lin. She takes a seat opposite Korra.)

Lin: You're talking to her. I'm Chief Beifong.

(Cut to a full view of the interrogation room and of both women. Korra snaps upright when she makes the connection who Lin is.)

Korra: Wait, Beifong. Lin Beifong? You're Toph's daughter!

Lin: What of it?

Korra: Then why are you treating me like a criminal? Avatar Aang and your mother were friends, They saved the world together.

Lin: That's anciet history... and it's got diddle squat to do with the mess you're in right now. You can't just waltz in here and dole out vigilante justice like you own the place!

(A small section of the far wall open. A male cop's face appears. Both women look to him.)

Cop: Chief, Councilman Tenzin is here.

Lin: (sigh) Let him in.

(Cut back to a shot of Lin sitting at the table. She stands and turns. The wall behind her pulls apart in pieces, revealing Tenzin on the other side. Cut to a close-up on Tenzin. His expression is a disgruntled one. Cut to an over-the-shoulder shot of Korra taken from Lin's perspective. Korra tries to put a good face on her nerves.)

Korra: Tenzin, sorry... I got a little side tracked on my way to see you.

(Cut back to Tenzin. He arches a bushy eyebrow and his eyes shift over to Lin. Tenzin stifles his annoyance and tries to be pleasant. The camera cuts to a side shot of him and Lin.)

Tenzin: [takes a deep breath] Lin, you are looking radiant as usual.

Lin: Cut the garbage, Tenzin. Why is the Avatar in Republic City? I thought you were supposed to be moving down to the South Pole to train her?

(Cut back to Tenzin, who grows annoyed. Cut to the same over-the-shoulder shot of Korra, who slumps in defeat at Tenzin's mood.)

Tenzin: My relocation has been delayed. The Avatar, on the other hand, will be heading back to the South Pole immediately, where she will stay put.

Korra: But!

(Cut to a view of all three. Lin stands with her back to the camera, hands held behind her.)

Tenzin: If you would be so kind as to drop the charges against korra, I will take full responsibility for today's regrettable events, and cover all the damages.

(Cut to a shot over Tenzin's shoulder of Lin and Korra. The police chief turns her head aside for a moment, as if weighing whether she should go along with this or not, but then she exhales and unlocks Korra's cuffs with a wave of her hand. Crossing her arms, Lin scowls at Tenzin. In the background, Korra rubs her wrists.)

Lin: Fine. Get her out of my city.

Tenzin: Always a pleasure, Lin. Let's go Korra.

(Tenzin turns and walks out. Korra follows him, not quite able to take her eyes off Lin as she passes by her. Cut to Lin doing an "I'm keeping my eyes on you" gesture at Korra. Cut to a reaction shot, where Korra makes a stink face and returns the gesture, then tromps out of the room. Cut back to Lin, whose surprise shifts into a "that didn't even make sense" look.

Cut to a waiting room in the Police HQ. A tiny elderly woman sits on a bench with a giant platypus-bear on a leash seated beside her.

Cut to a shot of Tenzin and Korra standing in front of some station desk. Cut to Korra making dramatic hand gestures as she explains herself.)

Korra: Tenzin, please, don't send me back home.

Tenzin: You blantanly disobeyed my wishes, and the orders of the White Lotus

Korra: Katara agreed with me that I should come. She said my destiny is in Republic City.

(Cut to Tenzin. He freaks out, spittle flying everywhere as his head goes red like a chili pepper.)

Tenzin: Don't bring my mother into this!

(Cut back to a shot of both of them. As Korra continues to talk with her hands, Tenzin strokes his long goatee, clearly considering her words.)

Korra: Look, I can't wait any longer to finish my training. Being couped up and hidden away from the world isn't helping me become a better Avatar. I saw a lot of the city today, and it's totally out of whack. I understand now why you need to stay. Republic City does need you, but it needs me too.

(Tenzin tries to respond to her earnest appeal, but he can't quite put words together. He lamely looks away. They're both distracted by the arrival of a policeman escorting Naga. The policeman looks decidedly unhappy with his lot in life at the moment. Cut to a close-up on them as Naga licks the officer's hair, slicking it with his saliva and twirling it so that it looks like he has ice cream piled on top of his head.)

Tenzin: You... ugh...

Police Officer: Is this your polar bear dog, miss?

(New scene. A twilight exterior shot of Aang Memorial Island. A junk sails past it. In the background, Republic City is alight. Cut to a close overhead shot of Tenzin as he stands at the railing of the junk, looking up at his father's statue. The look on Tenzin's face is sad, almost a touch mournful. Cut to a shot from Tenzin's POV, looking up at the giant looming statue of Aang against a cloud sunset sky. Cut back to Tenzin. He seems to sigh. Then he turns around and the camera cuts to a view his fellow passengers. Naga is asleep. Korra, meanwhile, stands at the railing and stares at Republic City with her back to the camera.

Cut to a shot of Air Temple Island. It's a bit later now; the gloamin, when the sun has set but the world still holds a bit of light in the deep purple of twilight's end. The junk has docked on a pier with electric floor lights. Also docked is a steamer ship, smaller and functional-looking rather than the gilded titanic steamer Korra stowed-away on earlier in the episode. Cut to three White Lotus men stand on the dock; behind them their steamer ship has lowered a gangplank. Cut to Korra looking at them. She's anxious, but sighs in acceptance. Cut to an overhead shot of them all as Korra, a tiny figure now, begins walking towards the White Lotus. Suddenly two gliders cut into shot. Cut to a shot of the gliders landing: Ikki first, then Jinora with Meelo riding piggyback. They collapse their gliders and rush over to Korra. Ikki and Meelo immediately hug her legs. Jinora holds back for a moment, then joins her siblings.)

Tenzin's Kids: Korra!

(Cut to a close-up on Ikki. She's excited. Cut to a view of the girls' backs. Korra, with a hand on each of their shoulders, kneels down.)

Ikki: Are you coming to live with us on the island?

Korra: No, I'm sorry Ikki. I have to go home now.

Ikki: (disappointed) Oh...

(Cut to Tenzin. His expression shifts almost imperceptibly at his eyes; sadness, maybe. Cut to a rear shot of Tenzin and his children as they watch Korra go to meet the White Lotus. Cut to a shot of a sad Korra walking alongside Naga, one hand on her for support. When Tenzin speaks, Korra is shocked for a second before recomposing herself. She turned back toward Tenzin. He walks over to her. Cut to a shot of Tenzin and Korra's back. He puts a hand on her shoulder, and her expression is surprised. Then Korra's jaw drops from joy.

Cut to a side shot of both of them and Tenzin's children. As they cheer, Korra effortlessly scoops them and Tenzin up in her arms and lifts them into the air. Naga comes over and rubs her head against Korra's back. Cut to a close-up on Tenzin. He sighs, uncomfortable but patient.)

Tenzin: Wait. I have done my best to guide Republic City towards the dream my father had for it, but you are right. It has fallen out of balance since he passed. I thought I should put off your training in order to uphold his legacy, but you are his legacy. You may stay and train airbending here with me. Republic City needs its Avatar once again.

Korra: Yes! Thank you! You're the best!

Tenzin's Kids: Yay!!

(New scene. A daytime exterior shot of City Hall, with a large cheering crowd in front of it. Cut to a shot of the crowd where photographers hold up old-style flash bulbs as they snap shots. Cut to a shot of an anxious Korra at a podium outfitted with five microphones. Cut to a shot from Korra's back of the crowd before her. Cut to several fast shots of reporters asking her questions.)

Korra: Hello, I'm Korra, your new Avatar.

News Reporter 1: Does this mean you've moved to Republic City?

News Reporter 2: Were you trying to send a message to the Triads yesterday?

News Reporter 3: Will you be fighting crime or the anti bending revolution or both?

News Reporter 4: Will you be working with Chief Beifong and the police?

(Cutting back to Korra, she's struggling to say something coherent. Then she gathers herself and begins to talk more comfortably. Cut to a wide shot of Korra on the steps of City Hall as the reporters snap more photos. At her right is Tenzin. At her left are Naga and Chief Beifong.)

Korra: Uh, yes, I am definitely here to stay, but honestly, I don't exactly have a plan yet. See I'm still in training... but... look, all I know is Avatar Aang meant for this city to be the center of peace and balance in the world, and I believe we can make his dream a reality. I look forward to serving you! I am so happy to be here. Thank you Republic City!

(Cut to a radio tuned to Korra's press conference. An Equalist sits behind the radio, chin resting on folded hands as he listens. There are footsteps and a hand reaches over to turn off the radio. The camera follows the hand back up to its owner, the Lieutenant.)

Tenzin: (voice-over, through the radio) Alright, that's all the questions the Av--

Lieutenant: Amon, how do you want to handle this?

(Cut to a shot of both the Lieutenant and Amon's backs. The camera reveals that we're seeing a basemen of some sort, with wires coming in through the wooden ceiling. Amon is standing in front of a map of Republic City, his hands clasped behind his back. Cut to close-up on Amon's hooded head. He half-turns to face the camera, his face masked.)

Amon: So, the Avatar has arrived early. It looks like we'll have to accelerate our plans.