What if Someone Who Was Already a Bender Got Airbending in Legend of Korra?

In Avatar: The Legend of Korra, the concept of bending revolves around the Avatar setting the precedence for new elemental skills. This article explores the potential ramifications if a bender received additional learning and control over airbending. The avatar canon would be fundamentally altered, leading to far-reaching consequences for both villains and heroes in the series.

Cracks in the Avatar Canon

The Avatar canon as established in Avatar: The Last Airbender and Succession of the Avatar presents a strict hierarchical system where only the Avatar can wield the additional bending arts. This is a crucial aspect of the storyline that maintains the Avatar's unique status. However, if a regular bender were to acquire airbending, it would introduce a significant exception to this rule.

The introduction of an additional bending skill would fundamentally destabilize the established order. In this scenario, every bender, not just the Avatar, would have the potential to master multiple bending arts. This would likely lead to a chaotic rise in the number of airbenders. Moreover, this change would eliminate the Avatar's unique role in the bending canon, making them just another powerful figure among many.

Emergence of Super Villains

The introduction of new airbenders would breed a wave of super villains, particularly those like Zaheer, who would exploit their newfound power. In Legend of Korra, characters like Zaheer are depicted as extremely dangerous due to their mastery over multiple bending arts. With the barrier to entry significantly lowered, these villains would become more commonplace, presenting a formidable challenge to heroes of the story.

The dynamic of the story would shift, and the balance of power would change. Regular benders, who previously might have felt limited by their single bending skill, would now find themselves in a position of immense power. This shift could lead to conflicts and power struggles as characters vie for control over different schools of bending.

Rise of New Heroes

Conversely, the arrival of new heroes would be spurred by the newfound ability to learn and control multiple benders. The number of skilled individuals capable of mastering airbending would surge, leading to a more diverse and powerful group of heroes. This influx of benders could lead to more collaborative efforts in fighting the villains, potentially reshaping the narrative of Legend of Korra.

The story could also explore the psychological and spiritual challenges faced by these new benders as they grapple with the implications of their abilities. This would provide a rich source for storylines and character development, adding depth to the narrative.

Limitations and Realities

Despite the exciting possibilities of a bender acquiring airbending, the established rules of the Avatar universe remain firmly in place. Only the Avatar can wield multiple bending chakras, a restriction that is rooted in both lore and the narrative structure of the series. This is exemplified in the tale of Avatar Wan, where the ability to swap and hold multiple bending arts was a unique gift from Raava.

The critical factor in this scenario is the requirement of a conditional Earthbender, like Toph Beifong, to possess the ability to learn airbending only if they were already a master of earthbending. This underscores the intricate and structured nature of the bending arts in the Avatar universe, ensuring that the Avatar's role remains unchallenged.

The canonical rules, which have been meticulously crafted, maintain the balance of power and provide a foundation for the intricate storytelling in Avatar: The Legend of Korra. These rules ensure that the Avatar retains their unique status, making their role central to the narrative and the series' overarching themes.

Conclusion

The introduction of a bender acquiring airbending would significantly alter the Legend of Korra universe. It would lead to the rise of new heroes and villains, challenging the status quo and pushing the narrative into uncharted territories. However, the established rules of the Avatar canon ensure that the Avatar's role remains unshaken, with the bending skills remaining tightly controlled by the Avatar themselves. This maintains the continuity and depth of the series, offering a rich tapestry of storylines and character development.

Keywords: bender, airbending, Legend of Korra