Avatar Legend Of Korra

Pt 5

Act II

(We return with a nighttime overhead shot of the training compound. Several structures are illuminated by electric lights. Cut to the inside of some building. It's a dining hall decorated in the Water Tribe fashion. At the center of each table is an open pit spit roast, but there is no meat on any of them tonight, presumably in respect of Tenzin's vegetarianism. Korra, Tenzin, and the three White Lotus masters sit at the room's far table. The rest of the place is deserted.)

Korra: So how long until you are ready to teach me airbending? A week? A month?

(Cut to a close-up of Tenzin. Korra, sitting with a bowl of rice before her and some sort of stew off to the side, still looks dismayed. The camera cuts back and forth in their conversation.)

Tenzin: It could be much longer

Korra: I don't understand. Why are you making me wait?

Tenzin: I have a responsibility to Republic City. I am one of it's leaders, and the situation there is very unstable right now.

Korra: But you also have a responsibility to teach me. Believe me I'd be happy to find another airbending master, but you're the only one. We're stuck with each other.

Tenzin: I wish there were another way.

(Korra perks up.)

Korra: Wait, there is! If you can't stay here, then i'll go back to Republic City with you. It's perfect!

(Cut to a shot of the Loti trio's leader, sitting across from Korra. He slaps the table, jostling his dinner.)

White Lotus Leader: Absolutely not! The city is far too dangerous. Avatar Aang tasked us with keeping you safe while you mastered the four elements.

(Cut back to Korra, leaning on the table, from an over-the-shoulder shot of the Lotus leader.)

Korra: I get that. But I don't think keeping me locked up in this compound like a prisoner is what he had in mind.

(Cut to a shot of all three characters, with Tenzin in the center. When the airbender finishes speaking, Korra stands up.)

Tenzin: I know this is difficult to accept, but its not the right time for you to come to the city.

Korra: Whatever.

(Cut to Tenzin and the trio's leader watching Korra's back as she walks out the nearest door. Cut back to a reaction shot of the two men. The White Lotus leader sighs. Tenzin, eyes closed, bows his head.

Cut to an outdoor shot the next morning. Katara, with her back to the camera in the foreground, waves to her family atop their sky-bison.)

Ikki: Goodbye, Gran Gran!

Tenzin: Oogi, yip yip!

(Oogi takes flight. Katara turns toward the camera and watches them fly off. Saddened, she rubs her eyes. Cut to a shot of Korra stop Naga at the edge of a precipice. As she watches the sky-bison flyby, Naga whines. Cut to a shot of Korra's back. We see now that she's looking out at a cloudy seascape. Again, the White Lotus is monitoring her from a distance.

Cut to a close-up on Korra's face. She's slumped over, chin resting against crossed arms.

Her expression hardens.

Cut to an overhead shot of the compound at night, specifically the part where Naga is stabled. Korra goes into Naga's pen and makes a beeline for her saddle. Just as she's fixing the straps on Naga, Korra is interrupted. She bodily cringes and turns.)

Katara: Nice night for an escape, isn't it?

(Katara stands at the gate to the pen. She smiles in acceptance as Korra explains herself, which relieves Korra.)

Korra: I have to leave. I have to find my own path as the Avatar.

Katara: I know you do. Aang's time has passed. My brother and many of my friends are gone. It's time for you and your generation to take on the responsibility of keeping peace and balance in the world. But I think you're going to be a great Avatar.

(Katara puts a hand on the Avatar's shoulder. Korra leans down slightly and hugs her mentor.)

Korra: Thank you.

(Cut to close-up on Katara's face as they hug. Her eyes are closed.)

Katara: Goodbye, Korra.

(Cut to a shot of the compound in the background. In the foreground, the snows part from underneath as Korra and Naga dig back to the surface. Korra leads the way. Naga shakes off the snow and then she's mounted. The duo race off-screen, stage left.

Cut to an overhead shot of Korra's family home. She and her parents are standing outside in the night, hugging, as warm light from inside has them cast long shadows together. Cut to a brief close-up of the family.)

Korra: Mom, Dad. I'll miss you.

Senna: We love you so much.

(Cut to Korra remounting Naga, her parents little more than silhouettes against their front door. Korra's gaze lingers on them for a moment, then she turns herself and Naga away, expression pained.

Cut to an establishing shot of a gold-trimmed red, white, and blue steamship cutting through the seas. A full moon hangs in the background of a partly cloudy sky. Cut to a cargo hold within that ship, with a green-colored car taking center stage. The car is secured to the floor with stakes and rope. The camera pans right, and half-hidden behind a wall of crates are our stowaways. Cut to Korra, arms behind her head, leaning against a sleeping Naga. Cut to a close-up on Korra. She's grinning and her eyes seem fixed on some distant point well beyond the realm of this cargo hold. Cut to an overhead shot of the steamship as it moves through the sea. Fade in on a sideways shot of the same ship, with the rightward horizon taking on the twilight of an impending dawn.

Cut back to a shot of Naga and Korra sleeping. The ship whines and groans, waking Korra. She rubs her eyes and then springs to her feet.)

Korra: Naga, we're here!

(Cut to a shot of a door being lowered. The sunlight outside seems to burn its way into the gloomy cargo hold. A reaction shot of Korra hiding behind some crates has her flinch at the brightness, shielding her eyes. Squinting, she turns and darts away. As a man with a clipboard oversees some men manually unloading the crates, a white blur darts past them. They look up from their work, surprised. Cut to Naga bounding down the steel gangplank, knocking over one man as she goes.)

Korra: Thanks for the ride!

(Cut to an overhead shot of Naga racing down a dockside along what look to be rail or trolly lines. Electrical lines crisscross the docks.

Cut to the big establishing money shot of Republic City. With their backs to us, Naga ambles alongside the edge of the river. The camera pans left along a suspension bridge, ending with a shot of the city's downtown: towering skyscrapers that gleam in the morning sunlight, with older brick skyscrapers at their feet, and zeppelins putter along to and fro overhead.

Cut to a shot of the traffic jammed suspension bridge, where cars -- or rather, 'satomobiles' -- are in stop and go traffic. The United Republic, incidentally, drives on the right-hand side of the road. Next we cut to a shot of Korra's and Naga's backsides as they walk up to a railing overlooking Yue Bay. The suspension bridge we just looked at is now at the far-right, as is a sort of Tokyo Tower-esq landmark. Korra, and the camera, are focused on Aang Memorial Island off in the bay, where a giant green statue of Aang stands.

Cut to a close-up of Aang's upper-body. An odd musical note sounds, rather like a gong, and when we cut back to Korra she's wide-eyed, as if mesmerized. Cut back to the shot of the bay and the statue, followed by a quick pan leftward to Air Temple Island.)

Korra: Wow, look at this place, I've never seen so many satomobiles. Air Temple Island. That's where Tenzin lives. You ready for a little swim girl?

(Naga sniffs the air, then darts off to the right. Cut to an airship passing overhead, followed by a pan down to a busy avenue. Naga darts onscreen, running against the flow of traffic, and a few satomobilies swerve out of her way. There's some mayhem of a near collision, followed by a shot of Naga running past a sidewalk full of gawking pedestrians, with Korra looking embarrassed. Finally, Naga reaches her destination by tracking down the curious scent to an orange tent.

An inside view of the tent shows Naga's gigantic snout pocking through, followed by her head and, atop that, Korra.)

Korra: Ok! Ok! Food first, then air temple. Watch it Naga! Look out! Oops, sorry about that. Excuse us. Coming through. Heads up. Eh, sorry, we're new in town. Naga, wait.

(Naga looks abashed by her mistress's command. Korra hops off and comes around to the side of the tent. She picks up some meat on a stick.)

Korra: We'll take one of everything please.

Shop Owner: That will be 20 yuans.

Korra: I don't have any money.

(The shop owner hulks out on Korra, snatching the meat on a stick away from her. Despairing, Korra walks away with her head hanging. Going back to Naga's side, the two of them walk towards the camera.)

Shop Owner: Then what good are you to me?!

Korra: Don't worry girl, this city's huge. I bet we can find a place to rustle up something to eat.

(Cut to three fish impaled on sticks; in the background, Naga forages with her head underwater in a small pond. Korra reaches out from behind the camera and flash-cooks each fish with her firebending. She picks up the middle fish-on-a-stick and, in the background, Naga comes up with a live fish in her jaws.

Cut to an establishing shot of a public park. It's a bucolic scene. The leaves on the trees have turned red and gold in the autumn. In the background is the towering skyline of Republic City.

Cut to Korra squatting at the side of the pond, baking a fish with her firebending. Behind her, there's a rustling in a bush. A wild-haired man rises out of it. Cut to Korra biting into the fish, her eyes turning towards the camera as she catches sight of this bush man. Cut to a view of them both on the pond's shore.)

Korra: (gasp)

Park Hobo: Uh, say, think I can get one of those tasty smelling fishies?

(The hobo ambles out of the bush, snatches a fish with a grin once he's given permission, and sits down. He immediately launches into consumption of said fish, devouring it typewriter-style.)

Korra: Oh, uh, yeah sure. So, do you .. live in that bush?

Park Hobo: Yes, presently that is what I do call home. Took me a while to procure a bush that beautious. This park is quite popular with all the vagabounds.

(The bush sparkles.)

Korra: So, there are a lot of you out here? I thought everyone in the city was "living it up."

Park Hobo: Hahaha! You've got a lot to learn newcomer. Welcome to Republic City.(Korra is confused. This is not what she expected to learn. Then a whistle sounds. The camera jumps to the lelft, where a pudgy cop stands on a bridge over a small stream. He points at Korra and then starts running towards her.)

Police: Hey, you! Stop! You can't fish here!

Park Hobo: You best skedaddle!

(Cut back to Korra and the hobo. He hops up, goes over to his bush, and dives in. Korra whistles for Naga and they run off. The cop shortly gives up the chase as the exertion leaves him bent over, gasping for breath. Behind him, the hobo pops out of the bushes and waves goodbye at Korra.

Cut to Korra riding Naga through another section of the park. There's a fountain nearby. Cut to a man with a megaphone standing on a table before a poster of Amon. A dozen or so people stand around him, listening. Naga halts as they amble nearby. Korra is listening.)

Antibender Protestor: Are you tired of living under the tyranny of benders? Then join the Equalists! For too long, the bending elite of this city have forced non benders to live as lower class citizens. Join Amon, and together we will tear down the bending establishment.

(When she starts talking, all heads turn towards her. There's a back-and-forth between her and the protester.)

Korra: What are you talking about? Bending is the coolest thing in the world!

Antibender Protestor: Oh yeah, let me guess. You're a bender.

Korra: Yeah, I am.

Antibender Protestor: Then I bet you'd just love to knock me off this platform with some waterbending, huh?

Korra: I'm seriously thinking about it.

Antibender Protestor: This is what's wrong with this city! Benders like this girl only use their power to oppress us.

(The crowd jeers Korra, who's confused and annoyed.)

Korra: I'm not oppressing anyone! You're... you're oppressing yourself.

Antibender Protestor: That didn't even make sense!

(Korra rides off, the jeering crowd to her back. Cut to a sleepy side street with several shops and street stalls. Korra is walking beside Naga now. She walks over to an older woman sitting with someone and asks for directions. Before she can get them, there's the roar of an engine. Cut to a nearby street-corner, where a red car pulls around into sight. Cut back to Korra and the older woman, who warns off Korra and then makes herself scare.)

Korra: Excuse me, I think I'm lost. How do I get to Air Temple Island from here?

Shop Woman: Just head down this street. You should get moving young lady, it isnt safe.

(Cut to a close-up of the red satomobile as it parks. Its front grill is decorated with a lion-turtle's face. Three thugs exit the car. Cut to a view of a male shopkeeper polishing a red phonograph. The three thugs freak out the shopkeeper, who drops his rag. Cut to a close-up of the three smiling thugs.)

Waterbending Thug: Mr. Chung, please tell me that you have my money, or else i cant guatentee i can protect your fine establishment.

Mr. Chung: I'm sorry, business has been slow. Please, take one of my phonographs.

(The one with the red scarf bends some fire in the palm of his hand.

Cut back to the shopkeeper. He tries to appease the thugs, but the red scarfed man wordlessly destroys the offered phonograph with a flaming kick. The shopkeeper screams and falls backwards.)

Waterbending Thug: My friend here is not a music lover. Give me the money, or else...

Korra: Or else what hoodlum?

(The thugs turn around, as does the camera, zooming about-face to see Korra standing behind them, hands on hips. Cut back to the thugs, who after staring for a moment glance at each other and start laughing.

Waterbending Thug: Hahaha! Since you're obviously fresh off the boat, let me explain a couple things. You're in Triple Threat Triad territory, and we're about to put you in the hospital.

(Some cuts around the street, showing shopkeepers watching this exchange from their hiding places. The thugs, however, aren't pleased when Korra talks back to them.)

Korra: You're the only ones who are gonna need a hospital. And for your sake, I hope there's one nearby.

Waterbending Thug: Who do you think you are?

Korra: Why don't you come and find out.

(Korra, fist in palm, stares back confidently at the lead thug. Cut back to him. His eye twitches, and the camera snaps back as he hollers and reaches into his coat for some water. He attacks Korra with it, who catches the water in her left hand and tosses it back in his face. The water envelopes his head and freezes, leaving his partners with their jaws on the ground. He staggers around, but Korra defeats him with a single kick, throwing him against the front of his car. The ice enveloping his head and thrown-off hat shatters against the decorative lion-turtle face. He slumps against the car. He partners stare on for an instant, disbelieving, before the tall one with the pale green shirt turns to Korra and tries to attack her with his earthbending. Only Korra is already in motion; she rockets him into the air on a pillar of stone. The camera pans up as the earthbender thug flies high into the sky.

Cut to the old shopkeeper lady and her friend. They're staring up into the sky.)

Shop Woman: What just happened?

Shop Man: Did she just earthbend?

(Cut to the earthbender thug hitting every branch while falling down the preverbal tree. When he's finally kissing the pavement, the red-scarfed thug turns back to Korra and blasts her with fire. Cut to Korra leaping through the flames, a smile on her lips. She grabs the firebender's hands and he screams like a little girl. Cut back to the shopkeeper duo. Their eyes go a little wider as they being to grasp who Korra is.)

Shop Woman: Can she firebend too?

Shop Man: Could she be...?

(Cut to Korra swinging around the firebender she's grappling with, then tossing him across the street and through the rice paper windows of a clock shop. He takes out two giant clocks on display as he goes down. Korra saunters up to the now-open air shop.)

Korra: Got an idea about who I am now, chups?

(Suddenly there's the revving of an engine. Korra looks to the left. Cut to a sideways shot of Korra standing outside the shop as the trio's red car swevers towards her. Korra moves out of the way. The earthbender thug yells at the firebender to get in, but the waterbender won't slow down the car, and in the end the earthbender catapults the firebender into the car using a pillar of bent earth.)

Earthbending Thug: Come on!

Korra: You're not getting away!

(Korra takes off running after them, then jumps into an earthbending form. Ripping up the road, she flips the trio's car with some earthbending. The car lands right-side up, but the attack causes it to drive into a storefront.

Cut to smoke clearing, revealing the car wreck. As Korra jogs into sight of them, the door pops open and the thugs flop onto the ground in a heap. Immediately a siren sounds. Naga starts to howl in sympathy. Korra looks up and we cut to a worm's-eye view of an airship flying overhead in the blue sky. A sideways shot of the airship shows a door opening, and we cut to the backs of metalbenders as they leap out from that door mid-flight. They deploy metal lines, slowing their descent as they land, then retract those lines into the sleeves of their uniforms.

As the thugs stagger out of the ruined shopfront, Korra gestures to her quarry. The cops trap the trio in metal wires. Then the lead metalbender walks up to Korra and points at her.)

Korra: Cool, metal benders. I caught the bad guys for you, officers.

Metalbending Cop 1: Arrest them! You're under arrest too!

(Cut to a zoom in on Korra's shocked expression.)

Korra: (gasp)