The Legend of Korra, Book Two: Spirits

[Korra has just won an air scooter race, using the Avatar State]

Ikki:
No fair. You can't go into the Avatar State to win.

Korra:
[blows a raspberry]

Tenzin:
You did what? The Avatar State is not to be used as a booster rocket. You are toying with a dangerous power that you obviously do not appreciate.

Korra:
It's the "Avatar State," and I'm the Avatar. Who appreciates it more than me?

Tenzin:
Clearly, you need more training to grasp the depths of your spiritual connections, not to mention that you're still a long way from mastering airbending.

Korra:
I have mastered airbending. Punch, punch, punch! [Throws three rapid air punches] See? Mastered.

Bumi:
Looks pretty good to me.

Tenzin:
[sighs] Is it too late for you to un-retire from the United Forces?

Bumi:
The paperwork's gone through, little brother. From now on, it's 24/7 Bumi time!

Tenzin:
You've mastered Korra-style airbending. Now you need to master real airbending. Hopefully, our visit to all of the Air Temples will give you the inspiration you need to delve more deeply into your studies.

Jinora:
Can we see where grandpa Aang was born?

Meelo:
How many lemurs can I have?

Ikki:
I want to get tattoos, but instead of arrows, I want lightning bolts.

Jinora:
You can't get lightning bolts. That doesn't make any sense.

Ikki:
You don't make any sense!

Meelo:
Fight, fight, fight!

Tenzin:
No one's fighting. We're going to have a wonderful time. [groans] Now that the President is in office and I'm not needed on the Council, I can finally relax with my family and give Korra the attention she needs.

Korra:
Great. More attention.

Bumi:
[laughs] Relax? I'd pay money to see that. Maybe I'll tag along just to see "vacation Tenzin."

Tenzin:
You're not invited.

Jinora:
We missed you, aunt Kya.

Kya:
Oh, I missed you too. Your father doesn't bring you to visit nearly enough. He's probably scared I'll beat him up like when we were kids.

Tenzin:
I'm not scared of you... Anymore.

Bumi:
Looks like someone's trying to take your place as the Avatar's stick-in-the-mud mentor.

Kya:
Bumi, don't pick on Tenzin. You know he's always been sensitive.

Tenzin:
I'm not sensitive!

[Kya and Bumi both laugh]

Bolin:
[trying to flirt with Eska] Hey, I'm Bolin. I'm a friend of Korra's. You're Eska, right? Wow, i'm just-- I'm loving these robes. [Eska hisses] So you are from the north, right? Cool. That's like- You know, that's, like, my favorite direction.

Desna:
I think he is trying to establish some kind of bond with you based on your geographic point of origin.

Eska:
Perhaps it would be interesting you spend time with a person whose ways are so rough and uncultured. [to Bolin] You amuse me. I will make you mine.

Bolin:
You mean like a boyfriend Or- or like a slave?

Eska:
Yes. [grabs Bolin by the collar] Win me prizes.

Korra:
So once we get to the South pole, then what happens?

Unalaq:
You will open an ancient spirit portal.

Korra:
I'm sorry. What now?

Unalaq:
At the South pole, there is a portal that connects our world to the spirit world. But it has long been closed.

Korra:
And that's why the evil spirits are attacking?

Unalaq:
There are no evil spirits. There is light and dark in them all. But when they're unbalanced, the darkness takes over. If you can open the portal in time, balance will be restored.

Korra:
What do you mean "in time"?

Unalaq:
There's a reason the glacier spirits festival ends on the winter solstice. That's when the spirit world and the physical world are close together. Only then can the Avatar open the portal.

Korra:
The winter solstice is tomorrow.

Unalaq:
Exactly. And we can't afford to wait another year.

Unalaq:
The spirits are angry because he's here. Haven't you ever wondered how your father ended up in the South Pole? Why he's never taken you to visit his homeland in the North?

Tonraq:
Unalaq, this is not the time.

Unalaq:
You're right. You should have told her a long time ago.

Korra:
Told me what?

Tonraq:
I left the North pole because... I was banished.

Korra:
You were banished from the North? Why?

Tonraq:
Because I almost destroyed the entire tribe. Twenty years ago, I was a general in the Northern water tribe, sworn to protect my people.

Young Unalaq:
Brother, we're being attacked.

Tonraq:
I drove them out of the city and deep into the frozen tundra. We tracked them deep into an ancient forest. Many believed this forest was the home to spirits, and the barbarians retreated there because they thought wouldn't attack on such hallowed grounds. They thought wrong. We captured the barbarians, but in the process, we destroyed the forest. I didn't realize the consequences of what I had done. By destroying the forest, I unknowingly let loose angry spirits. They threatened to destroy everything. The entire city. Unalaq was able to guide the spirits back to the forest, but by then, the damage had been done. For being the cause of so much devastation, my father banished me from the Northern water tribe in shame. That's when I came to the South and started a new life.

Bolin:
Whoa. So you were supposed to be chief. Then he became chief. No wonder you guys don't like each other.

Tonraq:
You don't even know if what Unalaq says is true.

Unalaq:
You want proof? Look to the sky. Where I'm from, the spirits are at peace, and they light up the dark.

Korra:
The Northern lights.

Unalaq:
Yes. There used to be lights in the South as well. But during the Hundred Year War, the South was thrown out of balance, and the lights disappeared. When the war ended, the North helped to rebuild you physically as a nation. But we have not rebuilt you spiritually. Now the spirits no longer dance in your skies. Instead, they rampage in the Everstorm.

Tonraq:
Thank you for coming, everyone. I know these last few days have been very troubling.

Varrick:
Troubling? Troubling is when I get that itchy rash that won't go away, and Zhu Li's not around to scratch it. This is shocking. Nay, sickening! But these kale cookies? Opposite. Remind me to get the recipe later.

Tonraq:
What's your point, Varrick?

Varrick:
My point is, Unalaq's already booted our chieftains out of their palace. How long before he starts telling us what kind of cookies we can eat?

Zhu Li:
Probably a couple of days.

Varrick:
Rhetorical question, Zhu Li. You gotta keep up. Not to mention I've got a cargo ship full of Halibut that's rotting, thanks to this harbor lockdown. Who wants to buy a ship full of stinking fish? Seriously, it's not rhetorical. I need to sell these fish.

Korra:
Chief Unalaq is here to help the South. He wants to show us how to restore balance with the spirits so they'll stop attacking.

Varrick:
The only spirit I'm interested in restoring is our spirit of independence! Am I right, people?

[The Southerners shout in agreement]

Korra:
All Unalaq is trying to do is make our tribes unified again.

Varrick:
No, he wants control of our wealth. My wealth. And I like my wealth. If Unalaq doesn't pull his forces out, then we have no choice but to fight for our freedom!

[The Southerners shout in agreement]

Korra:
´You want to start a war? Are you crazy?

Tonraq:
Unalaq started this, not us. [sighs] I'm sorry. Maybe you could speak with your Uncle. Tell him how frustrated we all are. He'll listen to what the Avatar has to say. Do it for me.

Korra:
I'll do it for the tribe.

Bolin:
Mako! I'm so happy to see you!

Mako:
Uh, you all right, bro?

Bolin:
No! No, I'm not all right! I can't take anymore. Listen, I don't want to live in icy bliss with Eska! [sobbing] Don't make me! Oh, please, please don't make me.

Mako:
Uh, hey, if you're that unhappy, just break up with her.

Bolin:
Break up with her? You can do that?

Mako:
Yeah. Guys do it all the time.

Bolin:
How?

Mako:
Just tell her you're not that into her anymore.

Bolin:
Oh, no, no, I don't think she'd like that.

Mako:
Ending a relationship is kind of like pulling off a bloodsucking leech. You just gotta rip it off and get it over with. You'll feel a lot better afterwards. Trust me.

Bolin:
Thanks, Mako. I'm lucky you're so good at breaking girls' hearts. [laughs] Korra better watch out.

Kya:
[while healing Bumi] I told you those rocks were slippery. You're lucky you didn't kill yourself.

Bumi:
You done with the lecture, mom?

Kya:
Oh, grow up. You haven't changed one bit since we were kids. You're still trying to prove you can do everything a bender can. Well, you can't. Deal with t.

Bumi:
And you're not our mother. You don't get to tell me what I can and can't do. Deal with that.

Kya:
[Kya dumps the water on Bumi's head] Good luck healing yourself with your special non-bending powers.

Bumi:
Hey, back me up here, Tenzin.

Tenzin:
Kya's right. You're the oldest of us, but you always acted like the youngest. I had to become the responsible one.

Kya:
You think you're the responsible one? Where were you after dad died and mom was all alone? Because I was the only one who packed up and moved my whole life to be with her.

Tenzin:
Sure, after years of flitting around the world, trying to find yourself. It was time for you to settle down somewhere. You two have no idea how it feels to have the future of an entire culture on your shoulders.

Bumi:
Oh, boo-hoo. Must've been real hard for you, flying around the world with dad, riding elephant-koi all day.

Tenzin:
Oh, so that's what this is all about.

Kya:
That's what it's always been about. You think you're some savior who has to carry on dad's legacy.

Tenzin:
Who else is going to do it?

Kya:
How about all of us?

Bumi:
Yeah, we're Aang's kids too.

Kya:
We never should have come on this vacation.

Bumi:
I couldn't agree more.

Tenzin:
Well, I didn't want you to come in the first place. I can't be around you two right now. Go back to the temple and see if Ikki returned. I'll keep looking out here.

Bumi:
Fine.

Kya:
Fine.

Korra:
Is it okay if I come in?

Senna:
Of course. We heard what happened. Are you okay?

Korra:
[hugs her father I'm so glad you weren't there. I don't know what I would have done.

Tonraq:
I had no idea how far Varrick was willing to go. My brother and I have our differences, but I would never attack him.

Korra:
[crying] I'm sorry for thinking you had anything to do with the rebels, and for all the pain I've caused you and mom.

Tonraq:
I'm the one who should apologize. After I saw the southern lights return, I was so proud of you. I never should have held you back.

Senna:
When your father and I found each other, all we wanted was to live a simple life and raise a family. But then we discovered you were the Avatar, and simple was over. We knew one day the world would need you, and you wouldn't need us anymore.

Korra:
Mom, dad, of course I still need you.

Asami:
Where's Varrick? We should've closed our deal an hour ago.

Bolin:
Would you relax? This place is great. And the best part about it? Eska doesn't know I'm here.

[Eska and Desna enter, along with a few Water Tribe soldiers]

Bolin:
Eeyah. I wasn't hiding. Hey, hey-hey, hey.

Eska:
I'm not on the hunt for you. Currently.

Desna:
We search for varrick. Our father wishes him to stand trial.

Asami:
What did he do?

Eska':
He is a traitor to the water tribe, along with our aunt and uncle.

Asami:
What?

Mako:
Korra's parents were arrested?

Desna:
Yes. Your powers of deduction are impressive.

Bolin:
Yeah, he's a cop.

Water Tribe soldier:
Varrick's not here.

Eska:
Very well. Desna, let us continue our search elsewhere. [to Bolin] Boyfriend! Bow to me when I exit.

Bolin:
Yes, yes, my sweet koala-otter.

Eska:
You are so cute when you grovel.

Ikki:
Juniper Lightning Bug, paws off the table! This is going to be a civilized breakfast. Daddy always says a blessing before we eat, so be quiet and listen up! We are thankful for this super yummy food and for being the best-est new friends in the world. But we are most thankful because Meelo and Jinora aren't here because they stink. [notices Tenin entering] Oh! Hi, daddy. I guess you found me. Do I have to go now?

Tenzin:
Actually, is there room for one more?

Ikki:
Uh, sure. You can sit next to Blueberry Spicehead.

Tenzin:
Nice to meet you, blueberry spicehead.

Ikki:
[pointing out all the other sky bison] And that's Princess Rainbow, and that's Twinkle Starchild. And that's Juniper Lightning Bug. They're my new brothers and sisters.

Tenzin:
New ones, huh? Can they be my new brothers and sisters too?

Ikki:
Maybe, but only if they say it's okay. [holds her head to the baby sky bison] Uh-huh, uh-huh. No, no, he's nice. [to Tenzin]] They say it's okay.

[Korra has just ambushed judge Hotah, the judge at her parent's trial]

Hotah:
What do you want?

Korra:
It's not about what I want. It's about what Naga wants. And she'd like you to let my father out of prison.

Hotah:
I... I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do. I was just following Unalaq's orders.

Korra:
What are you talking about?

Hotah:
I... I've said too much.

Korra:
[grabs judge Hotah and holds his head in Naga's mouth] Unless you wanna be Naga's afternoon snack, you better keep talking.

Hotah:
I... I've worked for your uncle for years! He said he needed everyone to think the trial was fair.

Korra:
So Unalaq told you what to say?

Hotah:
Yes! Every word.

Korra:
Then why did he have you free my mother and change your sentence?

Hotah:
He's trying to keep you on his side. But he also wants your father out of the way. Just like when he got your father banished.

Korra:
What do you mean "he got my father banished"?

Hotah:
Nothing!

Korra:
[furious] Keep talking.

[A group of Fire Sages has found an unconscious Korra washed up on the shore. Korra wakes up]:

Korra:
Get away from me! [Airbends a blast of air, then collapses due to exhaustion]

Fire Sage:
It's okay, we're here to help you, Avatar Korra

Korra:
Who's... Who's Avatar Korra? [The sages look shocked]

Korra:
Who are you?

Avatar Spirit:
I am you.

Korra:
Who am I?

Avatar Spirit:
[Transforms into Aang] You are the Avatar.

Korra:
I don't know what that is.

Avatar Spirit:
[Transforms into Roku] In order to remember, you must regain your connnection with your Avatar Spirit. [Transforms into Kyoshi] If you don't, darkness will engulf the world. You will die, and our era will end.

Korra:
How do I regain my connection?

Avatar Spirit:
[Transforms into Kuruk] Go back, return to the beginning, find Raava.

Wan:
[To Korra] My name is Wan. And I will show you how I became the first Avatar.

Oasis Guardian:
You are not welcome into my oasis human!

Raava:
This doesn't concern you human!

Vaatu:
So we meet again human!

Dark spirits:
We are protectors of the forest! We won't let you burn it down! WIPE THEM OUT!!!!!

Vaatu:
[To Wan] I lived ten thousand lifetimes before the first of your kind crawled out of the mud! [Blasts Wan] It was I who broke through the divide that separated the plane of Spirits from the material world! [Blasts Wan again] To hate me is to give me breath. To fight me is to give me strength. Now prepare to face oblivion!

Lion Turtle:
The world is entering a new age. Our time protecting mankind is over. We will no longer give humans the power of the elements.

[At the end of his life, and elderly Wan is lying alone on an abandoned battlefied and has one last conversation with Raava]

Wan:
I'm sorry, Raava. I failed to bring peace. Even with Vaatu locked away, darkness still surrounds Humanity. There wasn't enough time.

Raava:
Don't worry, we will be together for all of your lifetimes, and we will never give up. [Wan dies, and a glowing wisp leaves his mouth. The screen fades to white and a baby is heard crying.]

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

Iroh:
Sometimes the best way to solve your own problems is to help someone else.

Unalaq:
When Wan Shi Tong told me he had a visitor, I had to see it with my own eyes. I can't believe Tenzin sent his daughter here instead of coming here himself. What kind of a father is he?

Jinora:
Better than you.

Korra:
I'm locking you away for another 10,000 years Vaatu!

Bumi:
Jinora's spirit, do you hear me? It's your Uncle Bumi.

Tenzin:
Ah, this isn't working. We can't just randomly wander the spirit world, call out for Jinora, and expect to find her!

Bumi:
We just need to employ the simple rules of tracking. First we locate her footprints... then we follow them.

Kya:
Do you even know what spirit footprints look like? Do spirits even leave footprints? Face it, your tracking skills won't work in the spirit world. Let me try something. [sits down and meditates] Ommmm... Jinora is over there. I feel a lot of spiritual energy coming from that direction.

Bumi:
We're in the spirit world. There's spiritual energy in every direction!

Unalaq:
[after fusing with Vaatu] We are now one! Now a new age of spirits and humans shall begin and I will lead them into it as the new Avatar!

Korra:
Well I'm the old Avatar and my era is not over yet.

Tenzin:
We're walking in circles! I've seen that same spirit mushroom five times!

Bumi:
That's not the same mushroom.

Spirit Mushroom:
Yes, I am.

Tenzin:
See? Even it knows we're lost.

Bumi:
Oh, sure, listen to a fungus over your own brother. [they hear a noice]

Kya:
What's that?

Bumi:
Mushroom, is that you?

Spirit Mushroom:
Nope. Wasn't me.

Bumi:
What kind of prison doesn't have any bars or walls? We could walk right out of here.

Tenzin:
The fog of lost souls is a spirit prison for humans. I read about it in an ancient text. The fog is actually a spirit... that infects your mind and slowly drives you mad, imprisoning you in your own darkest memories.

Kya:
How long can you be trapped in here?

Zhao:
I am Zhao the Conqueror! I am the Moonslayer! I will capture the Avatar! I am Zhao the Conqueror! I am the Moonslayer! I will capture the Avatar!

Kya:
Hopefully we're not trapped in here as long as that guy.

Zhao:
[sees Tenzin] You! You're him! The last airbender!

Tenzin:
No! Get off me!

Zhao:
You've grown... but I will still defeat you! [Bumi and Kya pull him off Tenzin and throw him back] Come back, Avatar! Face me! I am Zhao the Conqueror! I will capture you! Victory will be mine!

Mako:
[after being trapped by Eska and Desna] Please, let us out.

Desna:
His groveling is pathetic.

Eska:
But I do enjoy the sweet scent of desperation.

Mako:
Come on! Your dad has become an evil monster. He's trying to bring on eternal darkness! Why would you protect someone who doesn't care about you at all?

Desna:
Father was going to let me expire when we tried to open the northern portal... Perhaps we should rethink our position.

Mako:
Yes!

Eska:
No. Don't listen to him. His words are poisoning your mind. [Bolin starts crying] What's with this outburst of emotion?

Bolin:
I'm sorry, I can't help it. It's just so sad... that I'll never get to be with you again.

Eska:
What? Explain yourself further.

Bolin:
Eska, I've always loved you, and I've always wanted to be with you... but now that the world is ending, I'm never gonna get that chance.

Eska:
We could have been together, but you left me at the altar.

Bolin:
I was scared! I was scared of my true feelings for you. I should have never left you! I'm sorry. And I'm sorry that we'll never have a chance to rekindle the dying ember that was our love into a... Big fire of love flames.

Eska:
[kisses Bolin, then releases him and Mako} You'll never defeat my father. But should you survive, perhaps we can spend eternal darkness together.

Mako:
Wow, that was the best acting I've ever seen. You completely fooled her!

Bolin:
[insincere] Yeah, right, that... that was acting.

Desna:
[deadpan] They will certainly perish.

Raava:
Korra this fight is not over yet. Vaatu cannot win, do not give in to ten thousand years of darkness, you are the Avatar!

Korra:
You cannot win!

[Tenzin is slowly being driven mad by his own fear]

Tenzin:
I am the son of Avatar Aang. I am the hope for future generations of airbenders. I am the son of Avatar Aang!

Aang:
Hello, my son.

Tenzin:
Dad, I've failed you. I am no spiritual leader, and I've let the world down. I'll never be the man you were.

Aang:
You are right. You are trying to hold on to a false perception of yourself. You are not me, and you should not be me. You are Tenzin.

Tenzin':
I am not a reflection of my father. I am Tenzin. I am Tenzin!

Bolin:
Korra! He's got the light spirit!

Dark Avatar:
Now, ten thousand years of darkness begins!