Who wants to meditate when there's a mystery to solve? Team Avatar follows a hunch down to the Old World Ruins beneath Ellora. They discover a strange Old World facility and an old friend.
A blink-and-you-miss it moment where Pavi makes the Korra and Asami figurines kiss was never going to be enough. The Seven Havens are built on the ruins of the old world. They were forged in the aftermath of the Cataclysm. So much of history, culture and technology has been lost. Now, the world associates the Avatar with terror. Avatar Korra ended the world. It's better to be grateful for the leaders who rose up to create the Havens. The Avatar will only be destined to destroy it should he or she return. Pavi and Nisha are going through the Avatar training. They already have the ability to bend all four elements. They haven't mastered any of them. They don't have any explanation for how they can energy-bend the Anomaly. This world is full of mysteries. It's personal for Pavi and Nisha in one regard. They want to know what happened to their parents. It's existential in another. Understanding what happened in the past will allow the world to heal in the present. That's a large task. One that Pavi and Nisha are too young to tackle right now. And yet, they are at the forefront of this drama. These mysteries propel them forward. That personal agency is exciting. The Twin Avatars approach things differently too. They have unique perspectives and skills.
Nisha wants the opportunity to do heroic Avatar things. That's how Pavi convinces her to connect with the Anomaly again. That's a dangerous plan. It's a mission full of excitement in comparison to meditating. Jae sees the latter as crucial for their development as Avatars. From the scroll, he understands the Avatar to be the bridge between the human and spirit worlds. Meditating will allow them greater access to that understanding of their roles. They must know proper balance. Without that, they will be doomed. They feel that pressure. That's how they assume Korra behaved. The Avatar is no longer celebrated because of her. She caused the Cataclysm. Seeing the ruins of the old world challenges that worldview. It's great that meditating is part of Jae's identity as an airbender. He even recognizes a mover when it's projected onscreen. It appears as a celebration of the latest invention from Future Industries. Korra and Asami are happily together even as they've notably aged. Questions still linger about the timeline and how distant the present day story takes place from Korra's reign. That's not the focus at the moment. Instead, Pavi and Nisha suddenly have access to Korra's world. They see things through her eyes. Despite that, they project their own feelings onto the situation.
Pavi believes connecting with the Anomaly will show her memories of her parents. She's personally motivated to solve that mystery. That's what she cares about the most. She also proves to have the ability to see what's underground through earthbending. It's a unique skill apparently. Nisha doesn't have it. Pavi is connected. It's an extension of her friendly nature and willingness to explore. That compels her forward. It leads her straight to danger and uncertainty. The Anomaly is far more prevalent than anyone thought. It's more than what's seen above ground in Ellora. It's already dominated so much of the ruins that lurk below. It's obviously connected to the Twin Avatars. It has a different effect on each of them. It amplifies fears in others. It becomes more volatile when people cower in fear. Pavi seeks out memories. She just doesn't get what she wants. She's instead taken back to Republic City as the Cataclysm occurs. It appears as if the attempts to harness the power of spirit energy was fruitful for only a short time. That discovery promised advancements in technology. But now, Korra takes down those pipes while in the Avatar State. Pavi and Nisha see the destruction. They don't want to be anything like Korra. And yet, Nisha's willingness to fight and confidence in her skills is exactly like her. She wants to run. She warns Pavi that it was reckless to go off on her own. She could have lost her too by tangling with something she doesn't understand.
A confrontation has to happen though. Similarly, Ellora has to contend with the Faceless. Resources have been stolen. Benders have been taken. The reverse is actually true. The Faceless offer freedom. Benders aren't expected to serve. It's still a complicated legacy. Uki wanted to be a farmer. Her fate changed after she learned she was a firebender. She was told to serve. She didn't believe in the message. That's not who she is. Jae is a protector. He has bought into the glory of Ellora. He has never had to reckon with what the Haven actually stands for. He's willing to serve because he enjoys helping others. That's his calling. That's who he was always meant to be. He continues doing so even now. Uki doesn't want to hurt him. She doesn't want to return either. She accepts living in this secret hideout. It doesn't offer many opportunities to farm. The leaders are just as violent too. The Faceless Queen attacks because Jae represents a threat. Pavi and Nisha work together to capture her. That serves as a victory for Jae. He will return with a notable prisoner just as help has arrived from the other Havens. He will contribute to the salvation of Ellora. He's proud of that. It's something he accomplished. It's tangible. Meanwhile, Nisha doesn't have that sense of calm. Instead, she's the one full of terror over what Pavi did and seeing Korra in all her monstrous glory.
