The Legend of Korra, Book 3: Change

Guard:
You know the drill, Zaheer.

Zaheer:
Of course.

Guard:
[puts down the food tray] Hope you still like rice.

Zaheer:
Have you ever read the poetry of the great airbending Guru, Lahima?

Guard:
What?

Zaheer:
Guru Lahima lived 4000 years ago in the Northern Air Temple. It is said that he unlocked the secrets of weightlessness and became untethered from the earth, living his final 40 years without ever touching the ground.

Guard:
Is that how you plan to escape, with something you picked up from an old airbender childrens story?

Zaheer:
Like all great childrens tales, it contains truth within the myth. Lahima once wrote, Instinct is a lie told by a fearful body, hoping to be wrong.

Guard:
What's that supposed to mean?

Zaheer:
It means, that when you base your expectations only on what you see, you blind yourself to the possibilities of a new reality.

[Zaheer airbends and catches the guard on the bars with his hands]

Zaheer:
[to the other firebending guards] Ah,ah,ah. You wouldn't wanna singe your friend, would you?

Guard:
How?! You're not a bender?!

Zaheer:
Nature is constantly changing. Like the Wind!

[Zaheer opens his cell and airbends all the guards into it]

Zaheer:
Now you might wanna ration that bowl of rice, you've got three weeks until the next shift change. It's the dawning of a new age, the end of the White Lotus, and soon, the end of the Avatar.

Tenzin:
Once we find the airbenders, I'll send word. You can join us at the Northern Air Temple then.

Ikki:
Hey! How come Jinora gets to go with you but we don't? That's so not fair!

Meelo:
Yeah! What this girl said! Not fair!

Tenzin:
Because if airbenders show up here, they're gonna need some guidance from the two of you. It's a very important job.

Ikki:
Really? Me, a teacher? Yay!

Meelo:
Those maggots will bow to me!

Tenzin:
Go easy on them, son.

Zaheer:
It's nice to see you again, Ghazan.

Ghazan:
Thanks for busting me out. Where did you pick up the new skills?

Zaheer:
I have Harmonic Convergence to thank for that. I was given a gift. I believe it's a sign that our path is a righteous one.

[After Kuon refuses to become an Air Nomad]

Korra:
In my head I saw that playing out very differently.

Asami:
Maybe we should have stayed and tried harder to convince him to join us.

Bolin:
Or we could've thrown him into a potato sack and forced him into the ship.

Bumi:
That's how they got me to join the united forces.

Tenzin:
No, we can't coerce people. [pause] Or throw them in potato sacks. They must come freely. But not to worry, there are plenty of other airbenders out there who will be happy to come with us once they find out what the air nation's all about.

[cut to a montage of Tenzin trying to convince various people]

Tenzin:
[to a mother] When your son becomes a master, he'll get tattoos all over his body, just like me.

Tenzin:
[to a fat man eating meat] There's nothing more nutritious than our vegetarian diet.

Tenzin:
[to a fashionable lady] I can tell that you're going to love wearing our ancient airbender robes. They're very breathable.

Tenzin:
[in a speed montage] You'll never have to worry about your worldly possessions again because you won't have any. [door slams shut] You'll get to shave your head! [door slams shut] Your best friend will be a giant bison!

Tenzin:
[back in the airship] I really thought I had that last guy. Who doesn't want a bison as their best friend?

Korra:
I don't know what to do. I just thought more people would be excited about coming with us.

Bumi:
Well, maybe you gotta do more to get them excited. You need to add a little razzle dazzle.

Bolin:
Yeah, razzle dazzle. We could put on some sort of airbending street performance.

Bumi:
I was going to say we could cover Tenzin's robe in sequins, but that's even better.

Korra:
It sounds ridiculous, but it might work.

Tenzin:
I'm willing to try anything at this point.

Bolin:
Yes! That is the kind of enthusiasm I like to hear.

Bolin:
Come one, come all and witness the amazing airbenders! An airbending show that will leave you breathless with wind! First up, the tattooed master himself. You know him as the son of Avatar Aang. He shaves every hair on his head, every single day. It's the one, the only guy with an arrow pointing to his nose... Tenzin!

[Tenzin demonstrates some high level airbending moves]

Bolin:
Now, now, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet. I have some serious news. We've heard that an escaped firebending convict has been spotted near here. Now, I don't want to panic anyone, but if you see a firebender with a red scarf...

Bystander:
I see him. He's right there!

Mako:
[unenthusiastic] I am the escaped convict, and you will all reap my fire.

Bolin:
Oh, no, who will help us?

Korra:
I will! With my airbending skills. [traps Mako in a tornado]

Mako:
Whoa! Aah! Oh! Aah! Aah! Hey! Let me go! This is not what we rehearsed! Korra!

White Lotus Sentry:
They came out of nowhere. I'm so sorry, Lord Zuko.

Zuko:
How could you let this happen?

White Lotus Sentry:
They caught us by surprise. And Zaheer is an airbender now.

Zuko:
No! This can't be. Do you have any idea the power these criminals possess? Individually, they can take down any bender. Put them all together, they could take down the entire world. And now you're telling me their leader is an airbender?

White Lotus Sentry:
We can track them...

Zuko:
We don't need to track them. I know exactly where they're going. Notify the new chiefs of the Northern Water Tribe that an attack on their prison is imminent. And send word to Lin Beifong in Republic City. The Avatar must be protected.

White Lotus Sentry:
Where are you going?

Zuko:
To stop them.

Gun:
Your majesty, may I present Avatar Korra.

Hou-Ting:
[shouting at her servants] You're ruining the koi pond! It's completely overshadowed by the topiaries! Guards, take that buffoon away and get me someone who knows what they're doing! You! Rip everything out and start over! I am surrounded by idiots. [notices Korra] So I finally get a visit from the Avatar. Let me guess, you want something.

Korra:
Well, actually, your majesty, I was hoping you could...

Hou-Ting:
I hardly think you're in a position to ask me for favors after everything the last Avatar did to the Earth Kingdom. He and Fire Lord Zuko took advantage of my father's weakness, and stole our lands to make their own little empire. The United Republic is Earth Kingdom territory.

Korra:
Well, I-I'm not sure what I can do about that.

Hou-Ting:
Not that you care, but what's left of my kingdom is falling to ruin. Roving bands of barbarians are raiding villages in the countryside, and now, some of my subjects are refusing to pay their taxes.

Korra:
I'm very sorry for your troubles, but actually...

Hou-Ting:
[at her servants] That topiary is supposed to be an eel-swan, not a turtle-duck!

Bolin:
Whew, I'm getting hungry. [gasps] We might have to hustle up a little breakfast with the old fruit stand scam. Come on. You remember how it goes. I push you into the stand, you scream, I pretend to faint.

Mako:
I don't want any part of this. Besides, look at this fruit. It's disgusting. We don't want to steal this.

Tu:
Hey, you trying to steal my fruit?

Mako:
No, I just said I don't want any of this rotten fruit.

Tu:
Oh, you too good for my fruit? This is the best fruit on the block.

Mako:
So you want me to steal it?

Tu:
Just try it, buddy. [Smooch] Go ahead.

Bolin:
I'm confused. Are we stealing the fruit or not?

Tu:
I knew it, thieves! [jumps on Mako and Bolin]

Eska:
Why didn't anyone tell us we have a secret prison we could have been throwing people in?

Desna:
I'd like to put my tailor in here. He never gets my cuffs right. They're so creasy.

Zuko:
We built this place secretly with your father to hold a very special prisoner. She's a powerful firebender named P'Li who can create explosions with her mind. Ironically, I hired a guy with a similar ability to kill the Avatar myself once. [awkward pause] Didn't work.

Eska:
Don't feel bad. I tried to kill Korra after she ruined my wedding. It happens.

Tonraq:
Let's just focus on keeping this woman in prison.

[they enter the prison]

Zuko:
The intense cold prevents her from firebending.

Desna:
There's certainly no way anyone's breaking out of here.

Zuko:
That's what we thought about the other three prisons.

P'Li:
[shivering] Must be something exciting going on. No one interesting has visited me in 13 years.

Tonraq:
Don't get used to it.

P'Li:
He's out, isn't he? Mmm, I'm feeling warmer already.

Gun:
Your majesty, the Avatar has returned with the tax payments.

Hou-Ting:
Finally. Secure it in the vault.

Gun:
It's being done as we speak.

Korra:
So now, your majesty, if I could start meeting some of the airbenders here in the city.

Hou-Ting:
The Dai Li thoroughly searched the city, but it seems your reports were incorrect. There are no airbenders in Ba Sing Se. So you can gather your little band and be on your way tomorrow.

Korra:
You make me do your dirty work extorting your own citizens for your stupid palaces and topiaries, and then you just want to send me away? We're not going anywhere until we find some airbenders! We know there are some here!

Hou-Ting:
Get her out of my sight!

Korra:
This isn't over! I'm going to find the airbenders!

Dai Li agent:
Welcome to her majesty's army, first airbending regiment. From now on, you live to fight for the Earth Queen.

P'Li:
I thought I'd never see you again.

Zaheer:
I never doubted. [they kiss]

Ghazan:
[annoyed] Really? Right now?

Asami:
Mako! Bolin! You're okay. Where have you been?

Bolin:
We chased Kai... Train... Slipped away... Lower ring... Slept in trash pile... Met our family... Grandma, tears... Mako scarf... Earth queen lying.

Asami:
Can you interpret that?

Mako:
The Earth Queen's been secretly taking airbenders and forcing them into her army.

Korra:
She was lying. I knew it! I swear, the next time I see her...

Lin Beifong:
I just got word from Lord Zuko and Tonraq.

Korra:
Why is Lord Zuko with my dad?

Lin Beifong:
Zaheer and the others have escaped.

Tenzin:
How is that possible?

Lin Beifong:
Because Zaheer is an airbender now.

Tenzin:
No.

Korra:
All right, hold on. Will you quit ignoring me and tell me what's going on? Who's Zaheer? Why is my life in danger?

Tenzin:
Shortly after we found out you were the Avatar, Zaheer and three others attempted to kidnap you. Luckily, your father, Lord Zuko, Chief Sokka, and I were there to stop them. We apprehended the criminals and locked them away in prisons designed to impair their abilities.

Korra:
So that's why you and my dad sheltered me away.

Tenzin:
It was for your own safety.

Mako:
Why were they trying to kidnap Korra?

Lin Beifong:
We spent 13 years interrogating them, but they never broke. To this day, no one knows what their motive was.

[after rescuing the airbenders, Bumi radios Lin]

Bumi:
Topside, this is papa bear. The breezies are in the hold. Cue the balloons.

Lin:
What? Are you in trouble?

Bumi:
No! We got the airbenders, and we're headed out. Bring the airships. [sadly] No one likes code names anymore.

Lin:
Copy that. Asami and I are on our way.

Kai:
Thanks for coming to get me. I'm really sorry about stealing your wallets and running away and getting you stuck on that train.

Bolin:
Oh, we can't stay mad at you!

Mako:
Yes, we can. I had a lot of money in that wallet!

Hou-Ting:
So you've discovered my elite army. I see their loyalty still needs some work.

Korra:
These airbenders shouldn't be used as weapons. They have a right to choose their own paths.

Hou-Ting:
These airbenders are Earth Kingdom citizens, and I am their queen. Taking them will constitute an act of war. If you disobey me, I will bear down on you with the entire force of my kingdom!

Korra:
They're leaving with me.

Hou-Ting:
No, they're not! [orders the Dai Li to attack]

Tenzin:
I know that none of you chose to become airbenders, but now you do have a choice. We can relocate you somewhere safe, or you can come with me to the Northern Air Temple to live in peace and train as Air Nomads. You are no longer anyone's property. What path you decide is up to you.

Aiwei:
Allow me to introduce the matriarch of the metal clan, Suyin.

Suyin:
Please, call me Su. Great to finally meet you, Avatar Korra. And this must be Mako, Bolin, and Asami.

Mako':
You've done your research.

Suyin:
I make it my business to know who's visiting my city.

Korra:
So you're a dancer?

Suyin:
Dancer, leader, wife, mother, collector of rare meteorites. You'll find people here have many skills and interests. [Aiwei whispers something in her ear] Korra, why did you lie when Aiwei asked if there was anyone else with you?

Korra:
What? I-I didn't. I mean... How did you know I was lying?

Aiwei:
I am a truth seer. When people lie, their heart rate and breathing increase. I can sense the most subtle of changes.

Suyin:
Thanks to Aiwei, there are no secrets in our city.

Korra:
We came with Republic City's chief of police. She didn't want anyone to know she was here. I'm sorry I didn't tell you.

Suyin:
Lin's here? Well, I would love to say hello.

Korra:
Wait, you two know each other?

Suyin:
You're joking, right? Oh, Lin never told you about me.

Korra:
No. Why would she?

Suyin:
I'm Lin's sister.

Suyin:
And this is my daughter Opal.

Opal:
Wow, Avatar Korra. I can't believe you're really here. You are so amazing.

Korra:
It's great to meet you, Opal.

Bolin:
Opal? That's a beautiful name.

Opal:
[blushes] Thanks.

Bolin:
I'm Bolin.

Opal:
Opal, but, uh, you already knew that.

Lin Beifong:
Great. We found the airbender. Let's take her back to the airship and get out of here.

Suyin:
And the woman apparently trying to abduct you is your aunt Lin.

Varrick:
Sorry we're late, everyone.

Bolin:
[gasps] Varrick!

Asami:
What are you doing here?

Varrick:
Great question, Asami. I mean, what are any of us doing here? Wow. Food for thought. Anyhoo, how's our company doing?

Asami:
You mean my company? Future industries reverted back to me after you plotted to abduct the president.

Varrick:
Allegedly plotted to abduct the president. Never convicted.

Mako:
Uh, that's because you escaped prison.

Varrick:
No, the universe decided to set me free. So I looked up my old friend Suyin here, pitched her a few ideas, and bam! We're in business together.

Suying:
Varrick's heading up my new technology division.

Varrick:
I've seen the future, and the future is magnets! I'm working on a high-speed rail that'll revolutionize transportation and shipping as we know it. But that's not all! I'm...

Lin Beifong:
All right, enough! I'm trying to keep the Avatar safe, and you're harboring a criminal?

Suyin:
Ease up, Lin. Sure, Varrick's made a few mistakes in his past, but that doesn't mean he should pay for it the rest of his life. My chef was a pirate, but now he's a culinary master. People change.

Lin Beifong:
You haven't. [storms out]

Mako:
So you and Opal seemed to hit it off at dinner. I think she's really into you.

Bolin:
Yeah, you know, she's sweet and pretty and super nice. Too bad she's not my type.

Mako:
Right, I forgot. Your type is dumb mover star or psycho ice princess.

Bolin:
You know, that hurts a little bit. [places hand at his heart] Right... Here. But maybe you're right, bro. Maybe Opal is Bolin material.

Korra:
Thank you for being so welcoming, and I'm sorry for how Lin's been acting. Can I ask, what happened with you two?

Suyin:
It's complicated. We didn't have a normal childhood. Neither of us knew our fathers, and Toph was always busy being chief of police. Because mom grew up in such a strict house, she gave us all the freedom in the world, hoping we'd figure out our own paths.

Korra:
That sounds like a good thing.

Suyin:
And in a way, it was. But we both ended up fighting for mom's attention. Lin followed in her footsteps and became a cop. I was more of a rebel. Mom wasn't too happy with how either of us turned out. When I was 16, I left home to explore the world. I sailed the seas on a pirate ship, joined a traveling circus for while, and lived in a sandbender commune in the desert. It took me a while, but I finally realized what I was looking for was a family. So I bought this plot of land, found a brilliant architect who later became my husband, and created a place I could truly call home.

Korra:
It sounds like you've created the perfect life here.

Suyin:
Almost. I've always wanted Lin to be a part of it, but I gave up hope long ago of her ever coming around.

Iroh:
Even in the material world, if you look for the light, you can often find it. But if you look for the dark, that is all you will ever see.