What kind of prison doesn't have any bars or walls? We could walk right out of here.
TenzinThe fog of lost souls is a spirit prison for humans. I read about it in an ancient text. The fog is actually a spirit... that infects your mind and slowly drives you mad, imprisoning you in your own darkest memories.
How long can you be trapped in here?
ZZhao
I am Zhao the Conqueror! I am the Moonslayer! I will capture the Avatar! I am Zhao the Conqueror! I am the Moonslayer! I will capture the Avatar!
Hopefully we're not trapped in here as long as that guy.
ZZhao
[sees Tenzin] You! You're him! The last airbender!
Tenzin
No! Get off me!
ZZhao
You've grown... but I will still defeat you! [Bumi and Kya pull him off Tenzin and throw him back] Come back, Avatar! Face me! I am Zhao the Conqueror! I will capture you! Victory will be mine!
[Tenzin is slowly being driven mad by his own fear]
Tenzin
I am the son of Avatar Aang. I am the hope for future generations of airbenders. I am the son of Avatar Aang!
Tenzin
Dad, I've failed you. I am no spiritual leader, and I've let the world down. I'll never be the man you were.
You are right. You are trying to hold on to a false perception of yourself. You are not me, and you should not be me. You are Tenzin.
Tenzin': I am not a reflection of my father. I am Tenzin. I am Tenzin!
He's got the Spirit of Light!
[Cut back to Jinora, Tenzin, Kya, and Bumi in the Spirit World]
Tenzin
What are you talking about? How do you know?
It's Korra. [Jinora hands her father a butterfly spirit] This light spirit will guide you out of the Spirit World. [She begins to fade away] I have to go help.
Tenzin
Jinora, wait! [she vanishes]
[Back in the physical world, Unalaq and Vaatu grow to enormous size, shocking Korra, Mako, Bolin, and Desna and Eska, who look on in horror. Unalaq and Vaatu, now known as Unavaatu, speak in unison]
UUnavaatu
Now, ten thousand years of darkness begins!
[Using the spirit lights, Unavaatu teleports away, sending out a shockwave that knocks out everyone present]
Tenzin
Were you able to stop Unalaq and Vaatu?
No. They fused, then Vaatu ripped Raava right out of me and destroyed her. Vaatu won.
[scared] No. I am too young to live through ten thousand years of darkness! Korra, can't you talk to one of your past lives or something?!
When Vaatu destroyed Raava, he destroyed my connection to the past Avatars too.
Tenzin
If that's true, then -
The cycle is over. I'm the last Avatar. [Tears up] I'm so sorry, Tenzin. [She starts crying]
[To Tenzin] She needs you now, more than ever.
Tenzin
The other Avatars may not be able to help you anymore, but perhaps I can.
[resigned] No one can help me now.
Tenzin
I know I haven't been the best mentor to you. But I realized it was because I had a lot of spiritual growth to do myself. There may still be a way for you to stop Vaatu.
Tenzin
Let go of your attachment to who you think you are, and connect with your inner spirit.
Haven't you heard anything I said? Raava is gone. I'm not connected to her spirit anymore.
Tenzin
I'm not talking about Raava. Raava is not who you are. Come with me, I need to show you something.
Why are you showing me Vaatu's prison?
Tenzin
Because this tree had a history long before it held Vaatu. This is the Tree of Time, and the legends say its roots bind the spirit and physical worlds together.
And you think this tree can help me somehow?
Tenzin
Yes. I have read that long ago, the ancients would meditate beneath this tree and connect with the great cosmic energy of the universe.
Tenzin
The Tree of Time remembers all. Korra, the most powerful thing about you is not the spirit of Raava, but your own inner spirit. You have always been strong, unyielding, fearless.
Tenzin
Before he fused with Raava, he was just a regular person.
But, he was brave, and smart, and always wanted to defend the helpless.
Tenzin
That's right. He became a legend because of who he was, not what he was. He wasn't defined by Raava any more than you are.
Everyone in Republic City is in danger!
Tenzin
You have to help them, Korra.
How? They're half-way around the world.
Tenzin
Do as the ancients once did. Connect to the cosmic energy of the universe. Don't bend the elements, but the energy within yourself.
[pause] You really think I can do this?
Tenzin
I have no doubt.
[hugging Tenzin] Thank you for not giving up on me.
Tenzin
I'm proud of you.
Tenzin
Now that you're bonded with Raava again, are you also reconnected to your past lives?
[pause] No. I think that link is gone, forever.
Tenzin
I see. Why don't you close the portals, then we'll head home.
Tenzin
What do you mean?
What if Unalaq was right when he said the Avatar shouldn't be a bridge between the two worlds? What if Avatar Wan made a mistake when he closed the portals? What if humans and spirits weren't meant to live apart? [to Tenzin] Well, what do you think I should do?
Tenzin
[places his hand on Korra's shoulder] I think you should trust your instincts. There is nothing else I can teach you. You are the Avatar. Whatever your decision, I support you.
Tenzin
(amused) You must be at the end of your rope; you hate meditating.
(stands up, sadly) I thought that, if I really tried, I might be able to contact my past Avatars- someone who knows something to help me! But I can't. They're gone, and I'm all alone. (glances at Tenzin) Did I ruin everything by leaving the Spirit Portals open?
Tenzin
You didn't ruin anything. You did what you thought was best for the world, and now things have changed. Change can be good or bad, depending on your point of view.
(sighs) I know the people's point of view- it's bad.
Tenzin
You're not the President, Korra. Your job isn't to fix the daily problems of every person in Republic City. Your responsibility is to bring balance to the entire world- and that means, no matter what you do, some people are not going to be happy about it.
Tenzin
(sits next to her) On the other hand, some people will be very happy. Like me. What you did during Harmonic Convergance may have brought back the Air Nation. And that can only be good, for restoring balance. That is the act of a great Avatar.
It's scary. I have all this power, and all these people depending on me... but, I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing half the time! It seems like I should be... wiser.
Tenzin
True wisdom begins when we accept things as they are. You started a new age, Korra. There's no going back to the past.
[After Kuon refuses to become an Air Nomad]
In my head I saw that playing out very differently.
Maybe we should have stayed and tried harder to convince him to join us.
Or we could've thrown him into a potato sack and forced him into the ship.
That's how they got me to join the United Forces.
Tenzin
No, we can't coerce people. [pause] Or throw them in potato sacks. They must come freely. But not to worry, there are plenty of other airbenders out there who will be happy to come with us once they find out what the Air Nation's all about.
[cut to a montage of Tenzin trying to convince various people]
Tenzin
[to a mother] When your son becomes a master, he'll get tattoos all over his body, just like me.
Tenzin
[to a fat man eating meat] There's nothing more nutritious than our vegetarian diet.
Tenzin
[to a fashionable lady] I can tell that you're going to love wearing our ancient airbender robes. They're very breathable.
Tenzin
[in a speed montage] You'll never have to worry about your worldly possessions again because you won't have any. [door slams shut] You'll get to shave your head! [door slams shut] Your best friend will be a giant bison!
Tenzin
[back in the airship] I really thought I had that last guy. Who doesn't want a bison as their best friend?
I just got word from Lord Zuko and Tonraq.
Why is Lord Zuko with my dad?
Zaheer and the others have escaped.
Tenzin
How is that possible?
Because Zaheer is an airbender now.
Tenzin
No.
All right, hold on. Will you quit ignoring me and tell me what's going on? Who's Zaheer? Why is my life in danger?
Tenzin
Shortly after we found out you were the Avatar, Zaheer and three others attempted to kidnap you. Luckily, your father, Lord Zuko, Chief Sokka, and I were there to stop them. We apprehended the criminals and locked them away in prisons designed to impair their abilities.
So that's why you and my dad sheltered me away.
Tenzin
It was for your own safety.
Why were they trying to kidnap Korra?
We spent 13 years interrogating them, but they never broke. To this day, no one knows what their motive was.
Tenzin
Bumi, can I talk to you? (the other Acolytes walk away as he approaches)
(scowls) Lemme guess- you want to criticize me for something.
Tenzin
Actually, I need your help.
Oh, yeah? (picks his ear) With what?
Tenzin
I don't think I'm doing very well with the new Airbenders. And... everyone knows you're a natural leader. (smiles weakly)
(smugly) True, I did win the Admiral Tung natural leadership award. Twice. (Tenzin rolls his eyes)
Tenzin
What would you do, if you were in charge? Help me be more like you.
I'd love to. (stands up) You've gotta use military discipline to whip these troops into shape. (gestures with his hands) The only way to deal with new recruits is to break them down so you can build them back up! Rule with an iron fist! Show them who the master is!
Tenzin
(raises his eyebrows and smiles) Thanks for the insight.
Tenzin
Dawn patrol! Everyone up!
What're you doing? It's barely light out!
Tenzin
I'm taking your advice: I'm going to break you down in order to build you back up! (Bumi looks horrified) Now, get moving, recruits!
Tenzin
(muttering to himself as he meditates) How could she think... Focus! Breathe... (inhales) Bumi ruins everything. Inhale...focus.
PPema
(comes in and sits by him) Taking a little break from teaching?
Tenzin
(sadly) I failed. Bumi quit, and the rest of the airbenders want to go home! Can't they see that I'm trying to re-build an entire culture?!
PPema
You know, just because these people can airbend, it doesn't automatically make them Air Nomads.
Tenzin
...Tell me about it.
PPema
I remember when I moved out of my parents' house, to become an Air Acolyte. That first night, I was so scared and lonely- and the bed was so hard!
Tenzin
It's actually better for your back. (Pema gives him a look) Sorry.
PPema
The point is, I really wanted to be there- but it still took time for me to adjust and feel like I was a part of it all! These people are probably feeling the same way. You have to be patient.
Tenzin
(stares at her) Now I know how Korra feels when I'm talking to her. (leans forward and kisses his wife) Thank you, Pema.
It's a pleasure to finally meet a true airbending master.
Tenzin
What is it you want from us?
Nothing at all. In fact, if everyone cooperates, you will all walk out of this situation unharmed.
Tenzin
Then what are you doing here?
I want Korra. And I'm tired of chasing her.
Tenzin
You're using us as leverage!
Tenzin
I will never let you get to Korra!
Unfortunately, you don't have a choice.
Tenzin
Yes I do.
Tenzin
Jinora! Get everyone out of here! Bumi, Kya, help me hold them off!
Tenzin
And stay out of her line of sight! Go, go!
Tenzin
After your coronation, the United Forces will escort you to Ba Sing Se.
WWu
Right. About that. Are we all positive that the Earth Kingdom is safe enough for me to return? I don't have to remind everyone what happened to my great-aunt three years ago?! [He starts imitating Hou-Ting suffocating] May she rest in peace.
Prince Wu, I assure you, Kuvira has the Earth Kingdom pretty much stabilized at this point.
WWu
[Skeptically] Uh...define "pretty much".
Tenzin
Well, the roving bandits have mostly been dispersed.
Don't worry kid. The chances of you being assassinated are almost zero.
[Discussing Kuvira taking the spirit vines for a weapon]
She might use the weapon to attack Republic City. The only way to protect ourselves is with a preemptive strike.
Tenzin
My airbenders won't be part of an unprovoked attack!
IIzumi
Neither will the Fire Nation.
But, Fire Lord Izumi, Kuvira is a threat to the world! She has to be stopped!
IIzumi
The Fire Nation has spent too much of its history fighting nonsense wars. And I refuse to drag my nation into another one unless there is no other choice. If you attack Kuvira, you'll do it without my army.
Fine. I'll hold off any plans of attack. We'll go on the defensive and fortify security on the borders.
IIzumi
In that, you'll have my help.
[last scene of the series]
Tenzin
I spoke to President Raiko. Tomorrow, he's announcing a plan to expand the city, rather than rebuild downtown.
I bet Aang never could've imagined there'd be a spirit portal right in the heart of Republic City.
Tenzin
Korra, you've transformed the world more in a few years than most Avatars did during their lifetimes.
But I feel like I've only just begun. There's so much more I want to learn and do.
Tenzin
You don't know how happy I am to hear you so full of hope again.
It's been a bit of a bumpy ride, huh?
Tenzin
I've come to realize life is one big, bumpy ride.
I know I was in a pretty dark place after I was poisoned, but I finally understand why I needed to go through all that. I needed to understand what real suffering was, so I could become more compassionate to others ... even to people like Kuvira.
[Asami walks over]
Excuse me, Tenzin. Varrick is looking for you. Something about wanting to borrow a glider suit to fly off the tower?
Tenzin
[running off] That doesn't seem like a good idea!
You want to sit with me for a minute? I'm not ready to get back to the party just yet.
[Asami and Korra sit on the steps, looking out at Republic City]
I don't think I ever really apologized.
For being gone all that time. For not coming back sooner.
You don't have to apologize for anything. I'm just so happy you're here now. I don't think I could've handled losing you and my father in the same day.
I am so sorry about what happened. [She leans in and hugs Asami]
Thank you. I'm just glad I was able to forgive him.
So, what now? Back to the dance floor?
I'm kind of all danced out. Honestly, with everything that's happened the past few months, I could use a vacation.
Let's do it! Let's go on a vacation, just the two of us. Anywhere you want.
Really? Ok ... I've always wanted to see what the Spirit World is like.
[last lines] Sounds perfect.
[Cut to Korra and Asami walking towards the spirit portal. As they walk into the portal, they hold hands, and turn to look into each other's eyes. The Chinese characters for "The End" appear in the sky]
The Legend of Korra · 160 quotes
