Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko
transformed the Fire Nation colonies
into the United Republic of Nations,
a society where benders and nonbenders from all over the world
could live and thrive together in peace and harmony.
They named the capital of this great land Republic City.
Avatar Aang accomplished many remarkable things in his life
but, sadly, his time in this world came to an end.
And like the cycle of the seasons,
the cycle of the Avatar began anew.
"And in the final round the Buzzard Wasps won with a decisive knockout."
What do you say we go to the arena tonight?
Catch a few Pro-Bending matches?
That sport is a mockery of the noble tradition of bending.
Come on Tenzin!
I dreamed about seeing a Pro-Bending match since I was a kid
and now I'm just a ferry ride away from the arena.
Korra, you're not here to watch that drivel.
You're here to finish your Avatar training,
so for the time being I want you to remain on the island.
Is that why you're keeping the White Lotus sentries around
to watch my every move?
Yes. In order to learn Airbending
I believe you require a calm, quiet environment
free from any distractions.
Alright.
You're the master.
So
my mother informed me you've never been able to Airbend before.
Yeah but I don't know why.
The other elements came SO easily to me
but every single time I've tried Airbending
nothing.
That's perfectly all right. We just need to be patient.
Often the element that's most difficult for the Avatar to master
Yeah well, I'm about as opposite an Airbender as you can get.
Let's begin your first lesson.
Korra's gonna Airbend! Korra's gonna Airbend!
What is that contraption.
A time-honored tool
that teaches the most fundamental aspect of Airbending.
Jinora would you like to explain this exercise.
The goal is to weave your way through the gates
and make it to the other side without touching them.
Seems easy enough.
Jinora forgot to say you have to make it through while the gates are spinning.
The key is to be like the leaf.
Flow
with the movement of the gates.
Jinora will demonstrate.
Airbending is all about spiral movements.
When you meet resistance
you must be able to switch direction at a moment's notice.
Let's do this.
Don't force your way through!
Dance! Dance like the wind!
Be the leaf!
Airbend!
What is wrong with me?
Airbend!
Maybe I'm just not cut out to be an Airbender, huh, Naga?
Ladies and gentlemen! I'm coming to you live
from Republic City's Pro-Bending arena
where tonight the best in the world
continue their quest for a spot in the upcoming championship tournament.
Grab your snacks and grab your kids
because this next match is gonna be a doozy!
This Mako's got moxy!
He fires to quick shots.
Yomo is hammered back to zone 3.
Clock is winding down, can Yomo hold on?
He's teetering on the edge of the ring now.
The Fire Ferrets—
Korra come down here, please.
You shut it off at the best part!
I thought I made myself clear,
I don't want you listening to this distracting nonsense
But it's their radio.
And technically you said I couldn't watch a match. You said nothing about listening to one.
You—
you know what I meant.
Anyway shouldn't you—
shouldn't you be in bed by now!
I think I'm doing it wrong.
There's nothing to do.
Let your mind and your spirit be free
for Air is the element of freedom.
Is something funny?
Yeah, you're telling me to embrace freedom and yet you won't even let me listen to the radio.
And forget about leaving this island.
Please Korra. Look at Meelo.
He's able to meditate peacefully.
What?
Well, at least he has the relaxing part down.
Whatever,
none of this Airbending stuff makes any sense to me.
I know you're frustrated
but these teachings will sink in over time
then one day
they'll just click.
Yeah it's not sinking in.
I'm gonna go get a glass of leechee juice.
Korra!
The meditation's not over yet!
Daddy can I have some leechee juice too?
No.
Hey!
What are you doing in my gym?
I was just looking for a bathroom and I got lost.
Oh the old "I had to pee excuse".
You know, I'm sick and tired of you kids sneaking in without paying.
I'm taking you to security.
- No wait—! - There you are!
I've been looking everywhere for you.
It's alright Toza, she's with me.
Yeah, I'm with him.
So you see, we're together.
Well not "together together",
more like friends. - Right friends, no, no I didn't mean to imply…
Oh you implied it.
I don't care what you are!
I've got work to do.
Right this way miss.
Why thank you sir.
Seriously thanks.
What do you think?
Best seats in the house, huh?
Whoa…
Unbelievable!
this place is even more amazing than I imagined.
Name's Bolin, by the way.
Korra
- Pssst, Bolin! - Yeah?
I told you, you have to stop bringing your crazy fangirls in here before the matches.
Get her out of here.
Ah come on Mako!
I kinda promised her she could stay
but man I got a good feeling. There's something special about her
I know it. Come here, I want you to meet my brother
Mako
Mako?
Wow I heard you play on the radio.
Come on Bolin we're up.
Or I could meet him later.
Yeah. Sorry about that.
My brother gets real focused before a match.
Well I gotta go.
Wish me luck.
Not that I'll need it.
Good luck!
Knock 'em out!
Introducing the Fire Ferrets!
Ahhhh! I love you Bolin.
The rookie Ferrets came out of nowhere
and have made it further than anyone expected this season.
But tonight they face their toughest test yet folks.
And they're off.
The two teams waste no time
trying to blast each other out of zone 1.
Hasook is the first to feel the heat of the Tigerdilloes,
he tries to return the favor but they're too fast for him.
While Mako showcases his trademark cool under fire style.
And the Tigerdilloes score with a walloping one-two combo.
Can their teammate…
Guess not.
Mako's over the line.
The Tigerdilloes get the green line and advance into Ferret territory.
Come on, Ferrets!
Look's like Hasook's in trouble.
He's in zone 3 teetering over the drink.
And Hasook takes a dip.
He'll be back for round two.
Assuming the fabulous bending brothers can hold their ground until he next round.
Round 1 goes to the Golden Temple Tigerdilloes!
Come on, Hasook get your act together!
The Fire Ferrets are knocked into zone 2 and the Tigerdilloes advance.
The Fire Ferrets sinch the round in the closing seconds.
That's one a piece. Still anyone's match as we go into the third and final round.
Hasook stumbles
and now he tumbles right into his teammate.
He and Bolin better untangle quick if they don't want to—
Oh too late!
Oh no!
It's all up to Mako now,
he's bobbing and weaving,
but he's not hitting back!
If he's knocked out the Ferrets' fabulous season is over.
He is dancing on the edge of the ring
withstanding the three on one barrage.
It seems his plan is to let the Tigerdilloes punch themselves out.
And his plan is working.
Han is in the pool!
They've got nothing left in the tank and Mako's on the offensive!
It's two on one,
scratch that it's one on one.
And it's an Earth and Fire slugfest!
There's so much smoke and dust I can't even see where the Fire Ferret is.
It's a knock out!
What a win they had a hat trick folks!
Mako pulls off the upset of the season winning the match for the Fire Ferrets!
Yes!
One more win and we're in the championship tournament!
So, what'd ya think Korra?
Bolin's got some moves, huh?
What did I think?
That was amazing!
You did more harm than good out there.
You almost cost us the match.
We won didn't we?
- Barely - Get off my case pal.
Useless.
You guys were incredible out there.
Especially you Mr. Hatrick.
Oh you're still here…
Oh you're still a jerk…
anyway,
I've been immersed in bending my whole life
but I never learned to move like that.
It's like there's a whole new style here.
Think you could show me a few tricks?
Absolutely!
Right now?
Come on Bolin.
Just ignore him.
Yeah I could show you the basics.
I'm just not sure how my Earthbending would translate to your Waterbending
but we'll figure it out.
Won't be a problem, I'm actually an Earthbender.
I'm sorry! No, no I didn't mean to assume—
I was just figuring, with your Water Tribe get up
that you are a Water Tribe gal.
No you're right. I'm a Waterbender
and a Firebender.
Hmm…hhmm. I'm very confused right now.
You're the Avatar
and I'm an idiot.
Both are true.
No way… The Avatar!
Alright. Let's see what you got.
That was great!
Good power!
But in a real match you'd be a sitting turtleduck.
Not so upright and flatfooted.
Stay light on your toes up until the moment
when you need to dig in and strike.
Then—
Okay, let me try it again.
Wow! Nice adjustment.
You're a natural at this!
- Not bad. - What's it take
to impress this guy?
What? I said not bad.
You know what, it's getting late.
I think I'm gonna turn in. You kids have fun.
Nice to meet you, Avatar Korra.
Yeah, real pleasure.
See you upstairs bro.
Upstairs? You guys live here?
Yeah, in the attic.
It's nothing fancy
but we have great views.
But back to bending.
Why don't you throw that combination one more time.
Patience Korra!
That was a 2000-year-old historical treasure…
what…
what is wrong with you?
There's nothing wrong with me!
I've been practicing just like you taught me!
But it isn't sinking in okay!
It hasn't clicked like you said it would!
Korra this isn't something you can force.
If you would only listen to me…
I have been! But you know what I think?
Maybe the problem isn't me,
maybe the reason I haven't learned Airbending yet
is because you're a terrible teacher.
Yeah you're a terrible teacher, Daddy!
Okay!
Everyone here?
Wait…
where's Korra?
Honestly Pema, I am at my wit's end with that girl.
I don't know how to get through to her.
The best thing you can do right now
is give Korra some space.
You must promise me that your teenage years won't be like this.
I will make no such promises.
I didn't miss your match did I?
You guys look like you lost already.
- We might as well have. - Hasook's a no good no show.
You got two minutes to come out ready to play
or you're disqualified.
Well there goes our shot at the tournament
and the winnings.
Couldn't you ask one of those guys to fill in?
Nah, the rules say you can only compete on one team.
Well then…what about me?
I'm a topnotch Waterbender
if I do say so myself.
But you're the Avatar…
isn't that cheating?
It isn't cheating if I only do Waterbending.
No way. I'd rather forfeit
than look like a fool out there.
Wow
thanks for the vote of confidence…
Time's up you in or out?
- We're in. - We are?
- Yes! - Hey, I didn't agree to this!
This girl is crazy…
Looks like the Fire Ferrets
have ferreted out a last minute replacement Waterbender.
Let's see if she's another diamond in the rough
like the brothers from the school of hard knocks.
Don't do anything too fancy or aggressive.
In fact, don't do anything.
Just try not to get knocked off the ring.
You got it captain.
Players
are you ready?
Whoo! Man overboard!
Fire Ferret Waterbender penalty,
move back one zone.
What? Why?
You're only allowed to knock players off the back of the ring,
not over the sides.
Oh…whoops.
And we're back in action
after that hiccup. But I'm not so sure this replacement player knows what she's doing.
Fowl! Over the line!
Move back to zone three.
Ugh! I'll show you over the line.
The Platypus Bears take round 1.
The Platypus Bears know a green player when they see one
and they are focusing the brunt of their bending on this poor girl.
What a minute,
did that Waterbender just Earthbend?
Fowl!
I think.
Did I see that right?
Hold on folks we're just waiting for the Referee's official call
but I think this replacement player could be…
Pardon me everyone, has anyone seen Korra this evening?
She's not in her room.
You've gotta be kidding me!
She's the Avatar, folks
playing in a Pro-Bending match!
Can you believe that?
I'll get her myself!
The Avatar will be permitted to continue
so long as she solely bends water.
This girl may be the Avatar but she's no Pro-Bender
and the Platypus Bears are intent on exploiting that weakness.
They're giving her their best
and her best is not enough to stop it.
Aaaaaannd—
she's in the drink.
Oh hey Tenzin…
I thought you didn't like coming to these matches.
Once again you have flagrantly disobeyed my orders.
You were to stay on the island.
Let's go.
No!
I'm kind of in the middle of something.
I have tried my very best to get through to you
by being gentle and patient
But clearly the only thing you respond to is force.
So I am ordering you to come back to the temple. Right now!
Why? So I can sit around and meditate about how bad I am at Airbending?
You know I'm beginning to think there's a reason I haven't been able to learn it,
because maybe I don't even need!
What?
That is a ludicrous suggestion!
The Avatar needs to learn Airbending, it is not optional!
No, THIS is what I need to learn!
Modern styles of fighting!
Being Avatar isn't all about fighting, Korra!
When will you learn that?
I have a match to go finish.
The Platypus Bears win round 2!
Round 3!
The Platypus Bears come out of the gate and quickly go after the Ferret brothers.
They're corralled in the corner, wedged in the edge of zone 1 unable to come to the Avatar's rescue
and boy does she need it.
Looks like the Avatar's Pro-Bending debut is gonna be cut short
as she's pushed back to zone 3 and the water is calling her name.
It's only a matter of time before—
Hold the phone, stop the presses! She's still in the game folks!
And she's moving like an entirely different player!
Suddenly all of the Platypus Bear strikes are only striking air.
Well how about that…
The Platypus Bears have no juice left
but Mako and Bolin are still fresh and juicy.
Knockout!
The Fire Ferrets come from way behind and steal the win!
What an upset folks! The rookies, Avatar in tow,
have nabbed a place in the championship tournament!
I cannot believe it!
Korra, what can I say?
You really came alive in that last round.
The way you dodged their attacks…
you are a natural.
Thanks
but I can't take all the credit,
someone else taught me those moves.
I'm really sorry
about everything I said.
I was really frustrated with myself and
I took it out on you.
I think I owe an apology too.
I was trying to teach you about patience
and I lost mine.
No hard feelings?
Of course not.
By the way you were really good out there tonight.
You moved like an Airbender.
You stayed and watched?
I did. Pro-Bending turned out to be the perfect teaching tool for you.
I'll see you tomorrow for Airbending practice bright and early!
And by the way I kinda permanently joined the Fire Ferrets
and we're playing in the tournament in a couple of weeks!