Republic City. The revolt is becoming stronger than ever. Korra has just learned the horrifying details of some benders losing their bending. Korra is in tears, unsure of what to do, and is discussing the matter with Tenzin.
She was still in shock, wondering how it was possible. "How can they do that? Just taking bending away? I thought only the Avatar could do that." she exclaimed. Tenzin nodded, "My father believed that as well. He did not discuss much of the details of Energybending with me." he remarked.
Korra was still unsure what to do. "So. How am I supposed to help? And what is Energybending anyways" Tenzin explained "Korra, I have been told by the White Lotus that you excel at the physical side of bending, but have ignored the spiritual side. They were correct in the statement that the Avatar must master both. You are the great bridge between us and the spirit world. You will only find your answers by talking to my father. I can teach you how to meditate properly, as we have been doing as part of your airbending training, but you must find your way into the spirit world. There, you will need to talk to Avatar Aang."
"But how do I get to the spirit world?" Korra was confused. "Let your mind be free. Concentrate." Korra, in her naturally impatient fashion meditated for around 5 minutes before declaring "Yep. I'm still here. Did Aang ever say how hard it was for him to do this at first?" "No. In fact his first encounter was led by Avatar Roku. I'm surprised he hasn't summoned you already. Hm.. I have another idea, but it's pretty dangerous" Arrogantly, Korra replied "Go ahead, I'm not afraid of anything"
"Perhaps we need you to enter the Avatar State first, to connect with the Avatar Spirit." "and how exactly am I supposed to do that? It's not like it's something I can summon at will. I've only used it once. My family was ambushed by robbers. They were about to kill my parents for fighting them back. I woke up to them fighting the robbers off. It was horrifying. All I knew is my parents called my name frantically as my eyes began glowing. I just watched in horror as I apparently destroyed my home with more powerful firebending than I've ever seen, as I was told later. Then I remember feeling faint, and asking what had happened. My parents knew I had been in the Avatar State, but they had told me they had been robbed by firebenders. I went back to my room and fell asleep."
"There is a way to master the Avatar State." Tenzin claimed "It is a process my father used to gain control. You must promise me though that you will only use this dangerous power as a last resort, as it could harm you and the world if not used properly." Arrogantly Korra declared "Whatever, they'll just rebuild what I smash up. No big deal." "KORRA! YOU MUST LISTEN TO ME. The dangers of the Avatar State equal the powers. If you are killed in the Avatar State, the reincarnation cycle will be broken. The Avatar will fall from the plane of existence, and cease to exist." Korra's heart fell "So..." she muttered, her words stumbling past her lips "If I die.. The Avatar... Dies too?" "Yes, which is why for now you must treat the state as merely a medium to contact the spirit world." Korra, now aware of the dangers of the Avatar state agreed. "Ok."
Of course, curiosity getting the better of her she asked "Has anyone ever come close?" Tenzin reluctantly told her, "Yes. My father was killed in the Avatar State in Ba Sing Se. My parents were fighting in the Crystal Catacombs of Old Ba Sing Se. Aang had unlocked six of the seven chakras, something you will learn shortly. The seventh required him to let my mother go. He said he wouldn't choose cosmic energy over Katara and left with the seventh chakra still locked. They were outnumbered by Azula and Zuko, as well as the Dai Li under Azula's command. My father realized this, and recognized his duty was to the world, and that came first, despite having a deep love for my mother. He encased himself in crystal, and began to meditate. The crystal was glowing, and all others stood back in fear, while Azula was preparing lightning. Finally Aang broke free, and began to rise as a fully realized Avatar. Before he knew it he was dead. Azula had shot him in the back with lightning. Katara rushed to his aid, and led them out of the city. As they flew away, Katara had put water from the Spirit Oasis into his wounds. His tattoos flashed, as the Avatar Spirit regained life, and Aang awoke."
Korra stood in shock. "They just told me that he surrendered, and let the Earth Kingdom fall in hopes to train to attack Ozai. They never said anything about the Avatar being killed. So if Katara didn't have the Spirit Water.. Then.." Tenzin interrupted. "I don't like to think about that, especially since I would not exist, and you wouldn't either." Korra agreed. "So how do we control this.. so called Avatar State." "The process you will use is called unlocking the chakras, pools of energy within your body. There are seven, which are blocked by certain kinds of 'emotional muck' Once you begin this process you cannot stop until all of them are open." Korra, for the first time in her life had a great fear about this but agreed that it had to be done. "Ok. Let's do this."
(Minisode might go here if I get requests to write one to deal with the kinds of "muck" that would be blocked. )
Korra rose to the skies, her eyes glowing, and a light beaming down from Air Temple Island. Katara sees this from the South Pole, and is at first haunted by the sight of Aang rising to the air in the Avatar State and being killed by Azula, which we see in a flash back, but then takes comfort in the fact Korra is now a fully realized Avatar. She simply mutters to herself "This time it's different. It has to be", smiles, and goes inside.
Korra then drops to the ground, eyes still glowing. We see her spirit being whisked away, and she is seen being picked up by Appa and Aang. Aang is a 30 year old man with a beard, and wearing the same robes he wore at the end of the series finale of the original series. "It's good to see you Korra. I've been expecting you." Korra bows to him in respect. "Avatar Korra, as you are now a fully realized Avatar, you must know the truth about what has been happening." Korra agreed "Avatar Aang, I don't know what to do, I've been trying to stop the revolts, but I became terrified when people started losing their bending. How is this possible?" "Korra, as an Air Nomad, I am sure you are aware that I am strongly against taking lives. However it seemed I had to take Ozai's to end the war. I learned of a technique, Energybending, that allowed me to end the war peacefully. I revoked Ozai of his firebending" Korra, impatiently said "Yes I know that. What does that have to do with now?" "Listen carefully. I had to use this technique once more, on his daughter Azula. She had snuck away from the infirmary where she was being held and ambushed the Fire Nation capital. Fire Lord Zuko was informed immediately and awoke to find half of his capital city engulfed in flames. (we see a flashback dating 40 years into the past) Azula summoned him 'Hello Zu-Zu. Surprised to find me here?' 'Azula!' Zuko exclaimed 'For one you are to address me as Fire Lord Zuko, and for another how did you escape?' 'One's not important, and I refuse to refer to any traitor by such. It's time I avenged father. I challenge you to an Agni-Kai!'
Zuko had to honor his sister's crazy request. I was flying in with Katara, and newborn Kya to visit Zuko, as I had not seen him in quite some time, and wanted to catch up. As I neared the royal palace I saw blue flames. I knew it could only mean one thing. Azula was there, and fighting Zuko for the throne. I knew I had to do something. I ordered Katara to fly our family straight to the Earth Kingdom, and to return in a couple days. While I came close to talking Azula's life, I knew that I couldn't. I used energybending again to remove her bending ability. Only this time it was in plain view of some fire nation soldiers. Somehow Amon learned the technique from that, and brought it to the Equalists."
Korra could not believe what Aang was telling her. She stared blankly for a few minutes then finally spoke "So what does this have to do with me?" "Korra, you must learn this technique to give the benders their bending, so they may continue to fight, and to remove the knowledge of this dangerous ancient art from Amon. But be warned. This technique is even more dangerous than the Avatar State, and to perform it your own spirit must be unbendable, or you will be corrupted and destroyed." "De..Destroyed?" "Yes. That is why I was so reluctant to perform the technique once again on Azula. But if the world is to survive, you must do it." Korra nods in agreement.
"A group of rebels are ambushing Air Temple Island. Even though you are a fully realized Avatar, you cannot face the task alone. I can help you face them, but only if you are ready." Korra, as if a catchphrase, remarks "Let's do this" Just then the rebels bust into to the sanctuary to attack Korra, only to find Avatar Aang in her place. They are in shock, as he sends a powerful blast of wind at them. He returns to the air, creating the same four elemental ball he did in the Battle at Wulong Forest. He states in a commanding tone behind the other Avatars "Leave my city alone, or pay the price!" and proceeds to send a large wave at the ships. Having gotten the point, they retreat. Aang then falls back to the ground, and smoke surrounds him, which clears into Korra. Her eyes stop glowing and she simply states "I have so much to do." With the Equalists gaining power, and just now learning the secret of energybending, she has never been more right.
That night, Aang appeared to Korra. "If you need to talk to me again, remember I am a part of you. All of the past Avatars, their wisdom and experience, is available to you if you look deep inside yourself." Korra nodded understandingly "One more thing, Korra" "Yes, Avatar Aang?" she intently listened expecting important information. "Send Katara my best" She smiled at Aang's lightheartedness, knowing it was exactly what she needed before confronting the task ahead