FADE IN:
CLOSE ON: A MAP OF THE EARTH. We pan across it, to reveal FOUR NATIONS and their symbols.
SOZIN (V.O.)
All the world to choose from, and we are confined to such a small corner of it.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL
INT. SOZIN’S ROOM – NIGHT
ANGLE ON: Two men sit around a table with the map resting on it. They are both holding cups of tea, and only one drinks from it. One of the men, SOZIN, gestures at the map, as if to prove a point.
SOZIN (CONT’D)
We are being shunned by our own people, Roku.
ANGLE ON: ROKU looks his friend in the eye.
ROKU
You know that it is not right of me to think more of any nation than the other. You ask me to betray my duties.
ANGLE ON: SOZIN, displeased with his friend.
SOZIN
There are times I think you’ve forgotten you once aspired to be a Fire Nation warrior.
ANGLE ON: ROKU sighs and takes a sip of his tea.
ROKU
I was younger then, and unaware of who I was.
SOZIN
Was it so long ago that you’ve forgotten your own country?
ANGLE ON: ROKU stares at his friend from across the table.
SOZIN (CONT’D)
Think of it, my friend! For too long, we have been kept in this inadequate space of the Earth. You, more than anyone else, must realize that!
ROKU begins to grow angry with his friend.
SOZIN (CONT’D)
All I ask of you is that we are given opportunity to expand our greatness. Let us have the land. Let us show our potential!
ROKU softens his brow.
SOZIN (CONT’D)
Please. For old time’s sake.
CLOSE ON: ROKU sighs and gives his friend a stern looking over before replying.
ROKU
Sozin, I have told you no time and again, and no my answer remains.
MEDIUM ON: SOZIN hangs his head in disappointment and closes his eyes.
ROKU (CONT’D)
My primary duty is to preserve the integrity of the four nations. To stop at nothing to preserve peace. Anything less would be treasonous of me.
ANGLE ON: SOZIN begins to look up.
ROKU (CONT’D)
You are still my closest friend, Sozin. But you ask the impossible.
ANGLE ON: SOZIN gives a brief sad chuckle before looking his friend in the eye.
SOZIN
And you won’t reconsider?
ROKU shakes his head and takes a sip of tea.
MEDIUM ON: SOZIN and ROKU.
SOZIN (CONT’D)
A shame. I had a feeling you’d say that.
ROKU widens his eyes and glares across the table.
ROKU
What do you mean?
SOZIN registers somewhat of a smirk as he says it.
SOZIN
I started the colonization effort weeks ago. We’ve been settling in the eastern Earth Kingdom.
ROKU leaps up from his chair, but SOZIN remains strangely calm.
ROKU
What?
SOZIN cannot help but stop himself from chuckling.
ROKU (CONT’D)
You’ve overstepped your authority, Sozin! You have no business occupying territory of the other nations!
SOZIN is immovable.
ROKU (CONT’D)
I cannot allow this.
ROKU then extends his fist to bend fire at SOZIN, but is mortified to see that nothing happens. He then begins to pant and clutches his chest in pain.
SOZIN
Is there something wrong with your tea?
ROKU is overcome with pain and slumps to his knees, and SOZIN rushes and holds him in his arms. ROKU looks up, his eyes glazed.
ROKU
(strained)
Why?
ANGLE: SOZIN grips his friend.
SOZIN
With no Avatar, my plans may continue undisturbed. It was for the best.
ROKU
(strained)
It will never work! Your crusade will be over as soon as it has started.
SOZIN
I wish I could say otherwise.
CLOSE ON: ROKU lets out a cough.
ANGLE ON: SOZIN grips his friend tighter, as his final moments come.
SOZIN
I am truly sorry, my friend.
He grips tighter, but senses that ROKU has gone, and lets him fall.