We start exactly where we left off- with Korra, Mako, Bolin, Lin and Suyin now in the hole Hiroshi Sato sacrificed his own life to make. They immediately split up. Lin and Suyin will disable the Superweapon Cannon. Mako and Bolin will take Bataar Jr.'s advice to the engine room to shut the whole Colossus down. Korra will take on Kuvira in her bridge. And Kuvira knows someone got on board, so she sends her soldiers, stationed in the Colossus, to take out Team Korra.
Time to kick butt!
Mako and Bolin cut their way in thanks to a disc that Bolin can lava bend into a rotating saw. They spirit vines are gathered in a gigantic, larger-than-life heart-shaped bunch, feeding energy into two transformers, which distribute energy to the rest of the Colossus. The room is bright with pink Spirit Energy transforming into power for Kuvira. Two levers. Two guards. They split up, with Mako's fiery punches and Bolin's lava saw against the guards' metal bands turned into darts.
Comin' to get ya'
Lin and Suyin kick some serious amount of ass in the arm/Superweapon Cannon area. Spirit vines trapped on glass containers, ready to be ammo for the Superweapon Cannon, are released to fall down the rest of the cannon, where they explode. The blast is so hard, it shoots up the rest of the cannon. Lin catches up to her after kicking some butt, and they take a look around. The outside is unbendable platinum, but inside is all metal they can bend. Lin and Suyin get to work, making Kuvira's Superweapon Cannon arm completely useless.
Kuvira counters this by swiftly saying good bye to her Superweapon Cannon. Using her one good arm, she rips off her now useless one, and literally throws the arm, cannon still attached, into the City. The arm crashes into a building, and Lin and Suyin only have time to metal bend belts that hold them in place through the impact. They're alive, but out. The cannon itself separates and flies into the Spirit Wilds, where it's lost from view.
Mako and Bolin eventually outsmart and outfight the guards, but when they pull the levers, the Spirit Vines are still generating energy. Figuring Kuvira engineered a fail-safe, they can't figure out how to stop the Spirit Vines now. Mako insists that Bolin must know some way to shut it down, but all Bolin knows how to do is blow it up. Mako looks resigned and grave, but tells Bolin to get himself and the two guards out of the engine room. After hearing what Mako plans, Bolin hates it, trying to reassure Mako that he already knows his older brother is awesome. He'll tell his brother he's awesome as many times as it takes to get him out of that engine room.
But Mako is adamant. It's their only chance. And an explosion will damage the engine so badly Kuvira will never get the Colossus going again. So, Bolin hangs his head in grief for a moment, and then dutifully hauls the guards out over his shoulders, escaping just as Mako is starting to spark and crackly with blue lightning. With one hand held back to act as a release so he doesn't electrocute himself, and one hand pointing toward the Spirit Vines, the lightning hits the Spirit Vines, and destroys the transformers. Mako holds the lightning on the Vines, and they begin to glow from the inside. But he keeps lightning on it. His shirt sleeve is blown off, but Mako keeps up the lightning as he slowly makes his way to the escape hatch. He can only make it to the hatch as the Vines truly explode, releasing Spirit Energy as a blast. Mako collapses over the hatch.
Not.. leaving... until.. whole thing.... blows up
Korra has made her way into the bridge, and she and Kuvira have it out with metal and fire. Kuvira's still the expert fighter here, and she eventually metal bends a belt attaching Korra to her bridge's metal ceiling, then tries whirling her around the ceiling so hard the friction produces fire. Then she throws Korra into a console.
That all ya' got?
Korra doesn't give up and she and Kuvira resume. Now, maybe tired, Kuvira is more vulnerable to Korra's air attacks. And Korra gets creative in her fighting style. After tumbling to the floor, they are bounced right back up, and we get a moment where they're flailing, out of control, and preparing for their next strikes. Korra's air blast and Kuvira's metal hit their opponents at the same time, sending them to the windows.
Bolin's not done today. As Mako lies out cold over the hatch, it's Bolin who climbs up the access ladder, pulls him down, and gets him out of harm's way. Korra and Kuvira are literally fighting to the bitter end when the Spirit Vines blow out. A hot pink glow starts in the Colossus' belly, and Bolin and Mako barely have time to make it a safe distance from the explosion that rips the Colossus in two, with the chest and head falling to the ground. Korra and Kuvira hang on for their lives, and the impact leaves Kuvira out and unable to exit herself. Mako and Bolin rest in the lower part, out cold but safe.
Korra, in a move she would never have done three seasons ago, helps Kuvira get out of the Colossus safely. Both women panting, Korra tells Kuvira that it's over. Her Earth Empire. Her invasion. Kuvira's not ready to give them up. Hurling a chunk of collapsed brick at Korra, she disappears into the Spirit Wilds, Korra on her trail. Korra catches up to her, but only after Kuvira's found the Superweapon Cannon. Despite Lin and Suyin's sabotage, there must still be some ammo in the cannon, because Kuvira fires it at Korra, point blank, and Korra must dodge the blast, which she does. But Kuvira isn't done firing. She wants to just keep it on and try to hit the Avatar. Kuvira doesn't notice that the Spirit Wilds have begun to glow themselves. By the time she does, and she follows Korra direction to turn the cannon off, it won't stop, and Kuvira is unceremoniously thrown from the cannon, collapsing after falling and rolling around a bit. When the Superweapon Cannon, still firing, aims right for Kuvira, Korra is there. Just as Spirit Energy hits, she goes into the Avatar State, using her control over Spirit Energy to deflect the blast. Kuvira, now awake, watches in amazement as Korra creates a safe bubble for them.
This is a new move
Korra is just protecting her enemy, an act of compassion that puts her and the City in danger, as the reaction of Energies expands, send Spirit Energy at nuclear-blast levels throughout the city. Everybody takes whatever cover they can. When the blast is exhausted, it sucks back the Spirit Energy, and the whole site implodes, showing the area has been cratered, razed of buildings and is now completely covered in vines, with a hole in the middle. This hole explodes into yellow light with a double helix of Spirit Energy bursting up and out, into the night sky. It's beautiful, and Bolin emerges from the remains of the Colossus, with a groggy Mako, to see it.
Tenzin and his air benders approach the new crater. They are all amazed as Tenzin identifies the light show as a new Spirit Portal, right in the heart of Republic City. What's left of Kuvira's Mecha Soldiers also approach. Everyone wants to find their leader. But the two are nowhere to be seen. Until Korra appears, seeing a reflection of herself, floating in space. She's calm, realizing that her spirit is fine. When Kuvira appears instead of her own reflection, the scene changes... into the Spirit World! Korra calmly accepts where they are, but Kuvira flails around, frightened she's dead. Korra calms her down, letting Kuvira know they're safe, just not home. When Kuvira calms down enough, she demands to know why Korra saved her.
Wait, is this a new land for me to conquer?
Korra gently explains. Her final victory against Kuvira isn't won with bending, or fighting, or strength, but with the quiet courage to admit that she has learned something about the fear Kuvira continuously keeps at bay. Orphaned at a young age, by parents that didn't seem to want her, Kuvira's been battling her own hatred of vulnerability for years. When the Earth Realm fell into chaos, and her only guardian wouldn't step in, Kuvira decided she would keep the Earth Realm together, and make it strong. As the Earth Empire. It would be so strong, that no one would need to be afraid again.
I have to make people afraid of me so they're not afraid of the world
Kuvira doesn't think Korra will understand. But, kneeling in the red wildflowers of the Spirit World meadow, she explains to Kuvira that she's learned something about the terror of being vulnerable. She sees how fear can drive someone. But she's clear with Kuvira, telling her that fear drove Kuvira to do terrible things, and Kuvira must now take responsibility for them. While they finally come to terms with themselves and each other, the others still in Republic City watch as Spirits return all around them. It means that the fight against Kuvira is over, that the spirits now know it is safe for their return.
Maybe blasting holes in Republic City was a bad idea
Everyone's relief is total as Korra and Kuvira emerge from the Spirit Portal, back in Republic City. Kuvira's still weak, but her Mecha Soldiers quickly try to take charge, demanding Kuvira's release. Instead, Kuvira announces that the Avatar beat her fair and square, with power she can't match and never will. And she surrenders herself to arrest, apologizing to Suyin without reserve and meekly being marched off by her former boss and Lin Beifong.
Do over? No?
All that's left is the best way to end a story of friendship through struggle: a wedding. On Air Temple Island. Bolin officiates, with a little help from Pabu. It's a huge wedding, attended by all our old favorites, surrounded by cardboard mountains to symbolize the Southern Water Tribe lands. The vows are sweet. Well, Zhu Li's vow for Varrick to agree to is. Varrick is way too concerned with making sure his callouses are sanded every two weeks. But, Zhu Li's seen worse, and agrees to wed and love both Varrick and his callouses. When it comes time to do The Thing together, it's Zhu Li who sweeps Varrick into a dip for a romantic kiss. Varrick's overcome, crying tears of joy, but he also takes out a remote control, so he and Zhu Li can do Their First Thing Together. The button they press starts fireworks for all to enjoy.
The reception is full of our favorite characters in their finest. Mako, no longer dressed as a security guard and wearing a sling for his hurt arm, congratulates Wu for his handy save during the evacuation. Wu is dreamy about his big chance to be a hero, calmly telling Mako that he won't try to use it to get Korra on a date; his own success is reward enough. When Korra joins them and asks Wu if he's ready for Ba Sing Se and his throne, Wu calmly tells them both that he plans to abdicate. After being a whiny baby for his throne the whole time, Wu has decided that he can make a better contribution as a singer, not a king. What's more, he thinks the Earth Realm should separate into their states, with elected governments, just like the United Republic. Mako and Korra are amazed, giving Wu their full support before he decides his last act as king will be to conquer that dance floor.
Alone, Korra can only say thank you to Mako for his willingness to give his life in the engine room, and admits that the words only express a little of her gratitude. Mako assures her, with no reservations, that he'll follow her into any struggle. So, they've come from awkwardly deciding they love each other, to breaking up, to becoming awkward friends, to becoming true friends.
Korra decides she needs a minute with Naga, and the polar bear dog is napping a short distance away, as Korra looks out, past Air Temple Island, back to the City and its new Spirit Portal. Tenzin joins her, with the news that Reiko is going to announce that the City will just expand, leaving the Spirit Temple city center as it now is. Korra and Tenzin think a bit how the world has changed more in her time as Avatar already, than under the lives of whole past Avatars. Korra is sorry for her time of sorrow, and any pain it might have caused her friends. But, she appreciates her time of suffering, so she could understand what it feels like, and remember her lessons in dealing with her enemies. Together, she and Tenzin decide to keep discovering and growing together. They're only interrupted by Asami with the news that Varrick has plans for an air bending glider suit and the Air Temple Island Tower. Tenzin rushes off, hopefully to get to Varrick in the nick of time.
Asami keeps Korra company, but Korra really wanted a chance to apologize to Asami. For not returning. For turning away from her friends when they wanted to help her. Asami assures Korra that she doesn't need to apologize, that her friends are happy she's back, and safe. Korra consoles Asami over the death of her dad, and Asami admits it's good to have forgiven him before she lost him. Deciding they've both been through a lot, and that the dance floor isn't really beckoning them back, they both decide to take a trip. But where to? Where could they go to really get away from everything, and enjoy a brief time to just enjoy each other's company?
Asami and Korra walk, now dressed for traveling, backpacks on, to Republic City's new Spirit Portal. It's glowing and beckoning. They're quiet and happy and hold hands as they enter the Portal. Once in, they face each other, join both hands, and quietly disappear into the Spirit World.
Someone left a note for the others, right?
What an end. Sure, there's a great big fight and some things explode, but the real satisfaction comes from Korra winning by demonstrating empathy for her enemies. There's a happy wedding for two characters we've come to love. There's real change for the Earth States. There's a new Spirit Portal! There's a whole future to look forward to, of increasing spiritual knowledge, of changing the world for everyone's benefit. And there's the kind of friends who will be there with you in the future all the way.
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