Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Promise is a three-part graphic novel that continues right after the ending of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The show was considered a success at the time of its airing. And it became even more successful when it came to Netflix. But we still did not get any direct sequels to this tv show. The Legend of Korra did not pick up immediately after Avatar: The Last Airbender ended. And was set sometime after the events of the original show. During this timeline, Avatar Aang had passed away, and Korra became the new Avatar after his demise.
So there was always this urge by the fans to know what happened after the original show had ended. The fans have always been interested in seeing the events between the two shows. And “Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Promise” filled this gap by detailing the events after Avatar Aang succeeded in ending the hundred-year war.
In this article, we will look at the events during the three parts of Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Promise.
Plot Synopsis
After the events of the Avatar: The Last Airbender, Zuko becomes the new Firelord and, together with Aang and the others, start the harmony restoration movement. This movement aims to disband all the fire colonies in all other nations so that balance can be restored. But issues arise when Zuko is faced with the complex culture of these colonies, especially the older ones such as Yu Dao.
The citizens of Yu Dao have become mixed-race. Most of the children born as a result of inter-marriages between citizens of Fire Nation and Earth Nation consider themselves members of the Fire Nation. They are making it impossible for these colonies to be removed. And when Zuko withdraws his support from the movement, he is confronted by the people of the Earth Kingdom and the forces of Earth King Kuei. The novel focuses on how this crisis is solved.
Part 1
Part 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Promise focuses on how Zuko started the Harmony Restoration Movement to remove the Fire Nation colonies from the Earth Kingdom and relocate all the inhabitants of these colonies to the Fire Nation. Zuko is also faced with his inner demons and fears that he will become his father. And tells Aang to kill him if that ever happens.
After a year has passed since the start of the harmony restoration movement, Zuko escapes an assassination attempt. It is revealed that the attempt was made by Kori Morishita of the Morishita family of Yu Dao. Yu Dao is the oldest colony of Fire Nation. And he goes there to confront the Morishita family. While visiting the city he learns of the reasons behind the assassination attempt. And how the citizens of Yu Dao have become integrated with the people from the Earth Kingdom. The people from both the kingdoms have intermarried and their children also consider themselves as Fire Nationals. And they feel that this movement is taking what is rightfully theirs.
After experiencing these issues Zuko withdraws his support for the movement. This results in backlash from the freedom fighters as well as other citizens of the Earth Nation. As a result, Aang and the rest of the team Avatar reach Yu Dao to talk to Zuko. Aang maintains that the colony should be removed as this is the only way to restore peace to the world. But Zuko does not agree to which Aang reluctantly agrees to talk to King Kuei. And Zuko visits his father for his advice.
Part 2
When Aang reaches Ba Sing Se, he meets members of his fan movement and enjoys their company for a while. But departs to meet the Earth King. King Kuei does not listen to Aang and Katara. And to appear strong, he mobilizes his forces to remove Yu Dao. And to successfully continue with the restoration movement. Meanwhile, Zuko is advised by his father to ready his troops to protect the citizens of Yu Dao, anticipating the mobilization of Earth Kingdom forces by their king. Zuko disagrees, fearing that he will become like his father if he chooses to do this.
Meanwhile, Sokka learns that Toph had opened up a Metal bending academy in Yu Dao, which has been taken over by a rival Fire Nation dojo. Sokka agrees to a competition between the students of both the dojo’s to decide the fate of the Academy. But learns that none of Toph’s students actually know metalbending. Toph inspires her students to understand it and win the match.
Meanwhile, Zuko learns about the Earth Kingdom forces marching on Yu Dao and prepares his forces admitting that his father was right.
Part 3
Katara about their collective future confronts aang if the nations are to separate. And she convinces him that this is a new world. Aang understands when the forces of both the Nations are to collide. But is confronted by Roku, who advises him to kill Zuko as this is the only way to restore balance to the Avatar universe. After this advice, Aang severs his connection with his past selves and tells him that the world is not the same as when the last Avatar lived. Aang goes into his Avatar state and uses Earthbending to separate both the forces and protect Zuko.
Meanwhile, Katara reaches the Earth King and convinces him to visit Yu Dao to understand the matter. To which he agrees and visits the colony. Kuei meets the protestors and other citizens of Yu Dao and understands that this is a new kind of world and Zuko was right all along. Zuko, on facing this revelation, faints. After he wakes up, Kuei, Aang, and Zuko decide that this must not be called a Fire Nation colony now, and the foundations of Republic City are laid down in essence.
The novel ends with Zuko confronting a now incarcerated Azula about their mother.
Conclusion
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