When the Haven envoys are attacked, Nisha reveals herself as the world's protector, the Avatar. Meanwhile, Pavi desperately fights an Anomaly beneath Ellora.
It's not in the Avatar's nature to hide. Threats are confronted head-on. Nisha shows that she has the courage to stand by her convictions. She will fight for the survival of Ellora. Like the other benders of the Haven, she has never questioned her calling to serve. The Faceless offer a choice. Benders don't have to live this way. They don't have to be conscripted and follow Kayoko's orders. They have the chance to pursue a new life. Agam is offering that. Her father died in service of Ellora. No one appreciated his sacrifice. No one even knows his story. It weighs heavily on Agam. She abandoned her home and survived in the Harshlands. She learned new styles of bending. That makes her incredibly powerful. Her strongest argument isn't her abilities. The power of her words convinces the world to change. Her journey may be futile. She believes Republic Forest is free. It's not punished by the harsh environment. Benders and non-benders are allowed to live in peace. Every person will have the ability to forge their own fate. Everyone is given that choice. Nisha can't stand the idea of benders being taken away from Ellora. It's not a choice. She steps forth to fight. It's in her nature. She believes that's the best way to solve the problem. She doesn't expect to face a formidable bender. She's smart at first only using one element. Her emotions eventually get the better of her.
The entire story flips as soon as Nisha reveals herself as the Avatar. Agam's demeanor in battle changes as well. She predicted Nisha's every move as an earthbender. Her form is sloppy. Her face gives away her attacks. She's not impressive in the slightest. Agam can change the physical form of earth. That was unique when lava-bending was introduced. Now, it's the elevated form of sand-bending. She can change the structure of earth just like waterbenders do when they change water into ice. She glides around the palace room. She traps Nisha in quicksand. Nisha breaks free using the other elements. No one can deny her stature as the Avatar. She bends fire and air. That turns the tide in battle. Agam no longer feels compelled to fight back. In fact, she uses the distraction to sneak away. It's pretty easy to do so too. The hysteria targets Nisha. The Avatar is the greater threat. Nisha stepped forward to help Ellora. She is repaid by Kayoko wanting to kill her. The Avatar cycle must end. Nisha's presence only promises the end of the world. She will bring forth destruction. That's what the leaders of the Havens believe. They won't challenge those beliefs. Great power comes from refusing to accept what has always been done. Karthik needs Kayoko to see the Cataclysm isn't as simple as the world wants to believe it to be. It's useless. Kayoko feels betrayed and lashes out with her immense authority. That causes its own destruction.
Pavi wants to help. She sees her sister in danger. She doesn't want to expose herself in the process. She thinks before she intervenes. She eventually enters the battlefield too. She does so covertly. Everyone is concerned with their own safety. She isn't noticed. Nisha is encouraged to energy-bend once the Anomaly invades once more. Kayoko believes the monster is the Avatar's minion. All the problems that have plagued Ellora can be traced back to her existence. Anyone loyal to her must be destroyed. If Nisha succeeds, then Kayoko would see it as evidence that Nisha is a monster. If she fails, then Ellora is doomed anyway. Winning isn't possible. People are too stuck in their ways. When Karthik, Hamka and Shilpa step forth to defend the Avatar, they are labeled traitors. The benders and guard still loyal to Ellora attack. Together, they overpower them. Karthik pushes Nisha to safety. She must run. The world wasn't ready for the Avatar's return. He was right. She witnesses the fear and hatred firsthand. She is pushed out of the Haven. She's just like Pavi and Agam in that regard. They too had to flee and survive in the Harshlands. Now, it's Nisha's turn. Ellora is locked down. Jae is promoted as his true allegiance to the White Lotus is hidden. He's loyal to the Twin Avatars. He believes in them. He's also entrusted to carry out the commands of the ruthless leader flailing around for control. Kayoko believes she can arrest anyone who dares to question her rule over Ellora.
The Twin Avatars save Ellora. They confront different threats. Nisha had her battle with Agam. Meanwhile, Pavi faces the Anomaly. Nisha had a brief glimpse of a rock formation. That may provide her with a destination in the Harshlands. She may have purpose. She doesn't know what Pavi discovered about their parents. She may not travel to the Eastern Outskirts. Pavi allows the Anomaly to follow her. She's not afraid. She's angry that this energy feeds off fear and destruction. It has caused so much havoc in Ellora. The truce between Ellora and the other Havens is broken. They won't work together now that the full scope of the threat has been revealed. Ellora is on its own. The Twin Avatars are here to help. That requires the Haven to be willing to accept it. That seems impossible. Plus, Pavi enters the spiritual plane. It's similar to the experiences Aang had in examining the chakras leading up to the Avatar State and Korra had during Harmonic Convergence. The true disruption to the world as created by the Cataclysm are likely found on this journey. Pavi forges ahead. That confidence is inspiring as well. She wanted answers about the mystery of her lineage. Now, she's seemingly destined to follow the path to better align the world. She may reject her identity as the Avatar. It's about so much more than fighting. It's about maintaining balance.
