Airbending was an elusive art that had always evaded Korra. Water, fire, and earth came to her naturally, but air…air was a different story. She trained vigorously with Tenzin, memorizing all of the practice forms. She racked her body and mind trying to learn how to bend the element, only to stress her further.
Airbending was definitely not within Korra's personality profile. Airbenders were easygoing and lighthearted, while Korra was impatient and impulsive. Tenzin had said himself that the Avatar had the most difficulty mastering the element that was most opposite his or her personality. Korra was always firmly rooted to the ground. The last thing she would ever be was a giddy little schoolgirl with her head in the clouds. But when a certain firebender entered her life, things began to change.
Korra found herself falling. Not just falling in love with this boy, but falling in general. Being with Mako gave her a sensation similar to being in free-fall. Her heart fluttered and flipped within her chest. She couldn't keep a smile off of her face, no matter how hard she tried. She would stare off into oblivion and daydream. When she was with Mako, things seemed so…easy.
Emotions ran high on the day the two faced Amon. Korra insisted on defeating the Equalist leader once and for all, before he could take the bending away from any more innocent people. Anger. She and Mako painfully listened to Tarrlok as he told his sorrowful story and explained that Amon was his brother. Sadness. She was terrified as she hid underneath a table, praying that Amon wouldn't find her. Fear. She felt empty and hollow after Amon took her bending, severing her connection to the elements. Loss. But when Amon held Mako down and prepared to take his bending, Korra snapped.
He could take her credibility. He could take her home. He could take her bending. But he could not take Mako's. Not if she had anything to do with it. She gathered all of the emotions that weighed her down. She gathered all of the strength her family and her friends had given her. She gathered all of the courage from every corner of her being. And with her unfailing love for Mako, she released them.
Before she opened her eyes she knew what she had done. While she had Amon stunned, Korra defeated the Equalist leader. Airbending felt like falling. The freedom and lightness it brought made Korra understand that it was within her all along. She just needed to let go.
