Duels (171 AG - Harmonic Convergence)



Duels are battles fought by at least two individuals and can be considered a form of recreation, a way of settling disputes, or a training tool for students who are developing skills in a particular fighting art. They may be friendly spars, fought to pass time, or in the most extreme cases, fought to the death. A variety of cultures practice dueling.

The following is a list of known duels that occurred in 171 AG.

Duel between Mako and triad members
Combatants: Mako and three members of the Triple Threat Triad

Victor: Mako

While on patrol in Republic City, Mako pursued a Satomobile containing three triad members. Two waterbenders created a fog to obscure the police officer's vision, but to no avail. One of the benders froze the street causing Mako to briefly lose control of his motorcycle. The triad continued to flee, driving through a traffic barrier which caused Mako to be cut off by a truck. Avoiding the vehicle, Mako quickly switched lanes and used another truck's supply of wood as a ramp to propel himself into the air, along with the use of his firebending. While airborne, Mako sent a fire blast down toward his enemies causing them to crash into a nearby fire hydrant.

Duel at the Glacier Spirits Festival
Combatants: Bolin, Korra, Mako, Tonraq, and a dark spirit

Victor: None; interrupted by Unalaq



A dark spirit appeared before Korra outside of her hut on the cliffs overlooking the Glacier Spirits Festival. The spirit charged toward the Avatar, knocking her against a wall of ice. The creature pinned down Korra and attempted to eat her, only to be interrupted by a fire blast from Mako. The spirit dodged several other attacks from the firebender and his brother and proceeded to knock them away with a swipe of its tail. Korra returned to the battle by throwing several more fire blasts that were easily dodged by the specter. Before the dark entity could reach its target, it was interrupted by Tonraq, who trapped the spirit in an ice cage. This prison proved to be of no use as the spirit broke free and proceeded to grab both waterbenders with its tendrils and fling them in opposite directions. Korra entered the Avatar State and created an air funnel to avoid the Spirit's attack while sending several more fire blasts toward it. Her attacks had no effect and the spirit used one of its tentacles to slam her body into several crates. Korra was knocked out of the Avatar State and lay helplessly as the creature prepared its final attack. It was, however, interrupted by Unalaq, who used his spiritual method of  healing to cleanse the spirit of its dark properties. Now at peace, the spirit ceased combat and left the material world.

Duel in the Everstorm
Combatants: Korra, Mako, Tonraq, and four dark spirits

Victor: None; interrupted by Unalaq



On their journey to the southern spirit portal, Korra and her companions were attacked by several dark spirits. After ambushing the humans and stealing their equipment, one of the specters frightened Naga, causing Korra to fall to the ground. When another spirit flew toward the Avatar, it was blocked by an ice shield form Tonraq, who pushed his daughter out of harm's way when another another spirit charged for her. However, the spirit quickly dodged Tonraq's attack and tackled him to the ground. Mako and Korra attempted to fend of the spirits with several fire blasts, only for the dark entities to merge together and form a larger spirit. Desperate, Korra attempted to mimic Unalaq's spiritual healing to subdue the creature. While this technique seemed successful at first, it ultimately failed and the spirit pinned Korra down. Before it could kill her, it was spiritually cleansed by Unalaq.

Duel in the Southern Water Tribe Royal Palace
Combatants:  Korra and five Southern Water Tribe rebels

Victor: Korra



Upon arriving at the royal palace, Korra found several Northern soldiers tied up. After going to the upper level, she encountered a group of Southern rebels, one of them carrying an unconscious Unalaq. Korra attempted to negotiate the release of her uncle, but the rebels refused her offer and created a wall of ice for their escape. When Korra caught up to her adversaries, the rebel carrying Unalaq split from his group, who then proceeded to attack the Avatar. After dodging several water blasts, Korra tied up two of the rebels in a tapestry using airbending. She then knocked out another rebel with a kick to the stomach, and tied the last one to a pillar with his own rope. As the rebel carrying Unalaq attempted to escaped on a snowmobile, Korra created an ice ramp causing the vehicle to crash.

Duel in the Southern Water Tribe prison
Combatants: Korra, Mako, and Unalaq

Victor: Korra and Mako



Korra and her friends broke into the Southern Water Tribe prison to free Tonraq, only to be confronted by Unalaq, who informed Team Avatar that Korra's father was on a ship headed to the Northern Water Tribe, where his daughter would never see him again. He also informed the Avatar that she was not needed anymore and had served her purpose. She furiously launched a fireball at him, which he blocked with water from his Water skin. He retaliated with a series of razor sharp water strikes. Mako joined in the assault with his firebending as Unalaq reverses the fight, going on the offensive. Mako was hit in the chest with a blast of water, putting him out of the fight. Korra dodged the last of her uncle's attacks before countering with a blast of airbending, knocking Unalaq against the prison wall. The group departed, leaving the angered chief on the ground.

Duel on the Mo Ce Sea
Combatants: Desna, Eska, Korra, and a dark spirit

Victor: Dark spirit



Riding a speedboat on her way to the Fire Nation, Korra was pursued by Desna and Eska, the latter believing Korra ruined her engagement with Bolin. After dodging several of their attacks, Korra destroyed the twins' jet skis, forcing them to continue on foot. Eska proceeded to destroy her cousin's speedboat, to which Korra responded by creating a water spout to distance herself from her pursuers. As the Avatar fought them off with several fire blasts, a giant dark spirit suddenly appeared from the ocean. After dodging several of the spirit's attacks, Korra was knocked into the ocean, where she entered the Avatar State. The Avatar attempted to spiritually cleanse the beast, but to no avail. The spirit proceeded to swallow Korra whole and descended beneath the surface. Having deduced that their adversary had been killed, Desna and Eska left the scene.

Duel in Yue Bay
Combatants: Asami, Mako, and several members of the Triple Threat Triad

Victor: Mako and Asami



Whilst aiding Asami in the search for whoever was responsible for the theft and destruction of several of Varrick Industries' ships, Mako enlisted the help of Viper and the Triple Threat Triad. The group acquired a ship from Varrick, loaded it with dummy crates, and sailed it to the outskirts of Yue Bay, hoping to lure the would-be thieves with an enticing target and catch them in an ambush. After several hours of waiting Mako decided to take a walk about the deck, overhearing Viper and Shady Shin discussing how the gang had orders to keep both him and Asami busy. As the two members of Team Avatar attempted to leave the ship, they were surrounded by the Triple Threats. Mako distracted them with firebending, allowing the two to escape on a speed boat, with two boats of triad members giving chase. Viper utilized his waterbending in an attempt to sink their craft with several icebergs before creating a waterspout under them that threw the boat high into the air. Asami managed to regain control and maneuvered the chase into the shipping lanes, causing one of the pursuing boats to capsize on a sharp turn. The two were ambushed by Viper and Shady Shin, who sideswiped them, causing the boat's engine to stall. As they attempted to force the two to shore, Viper engaged Mako in a furious duel on the bow of the latter's boat. Though successful at first, Mako began to lose ground as Viper eventually gained the upper hand, knocking the firebender back into the vehicle. Moments before they hit shore, Asami managed to restart the engine and swerved out of the way, sending both Viper and Shin crashing through a building.

Duel during The Adventures of Nuktuk finale
Combatants: Bolin and four waterbenders

Victor: Bolin



After Bolin was told by Lu and Gang that President Raiko was under attack, he made his way over to the presidential lounge where he found four waterbenders, dressed in Northern Water Tribe military attire, who had bound and gagged the president and his wife. He used his earthbending to send one attack into the water and the other three onto the arena, before jumping down himself to continue the fight away from the president. Noticing the commotion, Chief Lin Beifong ordered her officers to secure the president and call for backup. At the center of the arena, Bolin used the earth discs from the arena floor and his knowledge of pro-bending to knock two of his opponents into the water. He proceeded to defeat the only remaining waterbender, intimidating him into revealing that it was Varrick who had ordered the attack. Upon hearing himself exposed, the businessman attempted to escape with Zhu Li, but the two were apprehended by Chief Lin Beifong and her officers.

Duel between Tonraq and Unalaq
Combatants: Tonraq and Unalaq

Victor: Unalaq



During the battle of the Southern Water Tribe, Tonraq faced his brother in hopes of finishing the civil war between the Northern and the Southern Tribe. Before the duel began, he denounced Unalaq as his brother as it had been his fault Tonraq had been banished from his home tribe. During the fight, both gave and returned attacks from each other. Tonraq eventually managed to get within striking distance of Unalaq, but before he could land his blow, Unalaq struck his unprotected stomach with an ice pillar and subsequently froze him. Trapped in a block of ice, Tonraq received a devastating blow which left him defeated. Tonraq was taken to Unalaq's camp at the South Pole where he was kept as a prisoner.

Battle at the South Pole encampment
Combatants: Bolin, Mako, Asami, Korra, Bumi, Kya, Tenzin, dark spirits, Desna, Eska, and the Northern military

Victor: Desna, Eska, the Northern military, and the dark spirits



In order to get Korra, Bumi, Kya, and Tenzin into the Spirit World, Bolin, Mako, and Asami boarded a biplane to create a diversion attack. Despite their attempt to execute a surprise attack, the trio found the Northern army assembled and ready to defend the portal. Asami maneuvered through the assault launch while Mako and Bolin provided cover by bombarding the army with their bending. Although they managed to do some damage, Desna and Eska both attacked the plane and were able to bring it down. The trio was quickly captured and brought to a tent where Tonraq was also being held.

The second group on Oogi approached the portal, but the bison was soon attacked by numerous dark spirits, who were attaching themselves to him, bringing the bison down. Korra, Kya, and Bumi attempted to fight off the spirits. Bumi fell off the bison, though had been able to drag a spirit down with him, while Oogi eventually crashed into the ground as well, rendering the remaining passengers unconscious and an easy target for the Northern military to apprehend and imprison in the same tent as their friends.

Duel at the Southern spirit portal
Combatants: Bolin, Mako, Unalaq, Desna, and Eska

Victor: Unalaq



After Korra managed to expel Unalaq from the Spirit World, Mako and Bolin go after him in order to prevent his reentry. Guarding the southern portal, the brothers were attacked by a barrage of ice pieces. They managed to evade them for a while, though when Desna and Eska came to their father's help, they easily overpowered the brothers as they had not been expecting the twins to show up. With Mako and Bolin unconscious, Unalaq reentered the Spirit World, leaving the brothers in the custody of his children. As the twins dragged Mako and Bolin away from the portal, they woke up and Mako used his firebending to free both himself and Bolin. They made a dash for the portal, however, once they were through, they were encased in a block of ice by the Desna and Eska.

Duel between Avatar Korra and Dark Avatar Unalaq
Combatants: Korra, Vaatu, and Unalaq

Victor: Korra

In the Spirit World, Korra battled Vaatu in an attempt to defeat the spirit before he could merge with Unalaq. Assaulting Vaatu with her bending, Korra landed powerful blows on the dark spirit. She was momentarily subdued after being hit by Vaatu's energy beam and ensnared with vines, though she managed to free herself with her firebending and managed to trap him in an elemental sphere. Before she could fully imprison him once again in the Tree of Time, she was hit by a water blast from Unalaq, who had come back through the portal, freeing Vaatu. As she attempted to retaliate, Korra was hit again by another water blast, momentarily incapacitating her and giving Vaatu and Unalaq the time to permanently merge.



The two Avatars resumed fighting and made their way out of the Spirit World, continuing the battle around the southern portal. Unalaq had managed to knock Korra off her air spout and had trapped her in a fissure on the ground, though inspired by Raava's words, Korra managed to free herself and resume fighting. She was able to bring him down, but before she could subdue him, Vaatu emerged and ripped Raava out of Korra, leaving her to collapse to the ground. Unalaq quickly trapped the light spirit in a sphere of water upon being repossessed by Vaatu. He slammed Raava against a rock and attacked her relentlessly until she was destroyed. Unalaq subsequently took on enormous proportions and made his way to Republic City, where he made easy work of the defending United Forces battleships and covered the city in vines.



After being healed by Kya and with guidance of Tenzin, Korra figured out how to connect to the cosmic energy within the Tree of Time and she created a large astral projection of herself, with which she followed Unalaq to Republic City and rammed into him upon arrival. Korra swiftly gained the upper hand and, while pinning her foe down against a nearby mountain, she searched for Raava inside his body, but to no avail. Korra became disheartened, giving the Dark Avatar an opportunity to entangle her with his tendrils and strike her with a close-range energy blast. With Korra subdued, the Dark Avatar began to use the spiritual waterbending technique to destroy her. Just as he was about to do so, Jinora descended from the sky in a brilliant light while carrying a small orb of light which she released. The Dark Avatar's concentration was broken, thus freeing Korra's spirit, and Raava's presence within him was illuminated. Korra's projection ran over to him and punched into him submission, allowing her to rip Raava from within him. She promptly performed the spiritual waterbending technique herself, causing him to dissipate. Upon her return to the spirit world, Korra's projection also destroyed all the dark spirits that were attacking her friends who were defending her body in the Tree of Time.

Duel between Zaheer and five White Lotus guards
Combatants: Five White Lotus sentries and Zaheer

Victor: Zaheer



Upon arriving at Zaheer's prison, the White Lotus sentries ordered Zaheer to turn around with his hands behind his back. He complied, though recited an excerpt from one of Guru Laghima's poems, prompting one of the White Lotus sentries to question the meaning of it. After answering, Zaheer airbent the sentry who had been standing at the front of the cell into the metal bars and held him there as a shield, dissuading the other sentries from attacking. Zaheer took the keys, threw him into the cell, and continued to battle the remaining guards. He managed to lock everybody inside his cell before he jumped down the mountain ranges using airbending to cushion his landings.

Duel between Korra and several Earth Kingdom officers
Combatants: Earth Kingdom officers and Korra

Victor: Korra

As Team Avatar, Bumi, Tenzin, and Jinora were about to leave the small Earth Kingdom village where they recruited Kai, five motorcyclists pulled up, their leader demanding them to release Kai, while the four others prepared to launch a rock at the airship. Under the impression that they were outlaws out to get Kai, Korra swiftly scattered the men using airbending. The leader attempted to strike her down with a rock, though she pulverized the object and incapacitated him. When she moved to imprison them, the leader revealed that they were the local sheriff with his deputies and that Kai was a thief.

Duel between Korra, Asami and Gombo's gang
Combatants: Gombo, his gang, Korra, and Asami

Victor: Korra and Asami



As soon as Korra and Asami arrived a desert town and ordered the royal guards to load the tax money onto the Future Industries airship, a flash of red light illuminated the sky, signaling the arrival of Gombo and his men. The royal guards ran away, leaving the two women to be surrounded by the gang, consisting of twenty men in total. Korra and Asami quickly took care of the barbarians, defeating them mainly with earthbending and electric attacks. As they retreated, Gombo shouted at Korra that she was wrong to collect the money for the queen, as it belonged to the people.

Duel at the Northern Water Tribe
Combatants: Zuko, Tonraq, Desna, Eska, Druk, Zaheer, Ming-Hua, Ghazan, and P'Li

Victor: Zaheer, Ming-Hua, Ghazan, and P'Li

Lord Zuko arrives on Druk outside of P'Li's prison in the North Pole to inform Tonraq, Desna, and Eska that he did not see any individuals heading toward the facility. He warns the group of an oncoming snowstorm, which Tonraq immediately identifies as the work of Zaheer, who is covering his and his cabal's attack on the prison with airbending. The two groups clash instantaneously, with Tonraq remarking that he can easily imprison Zaheer as he did thirteen years ago. The tribal chief attempts to subdue the airbender with waterbending, but the latter is able to evade his attacks with ease.



Desna and Eska attempt to subdue Ming-Hua with a series of ice projectiles which she avoids. As a result, the twins conjure a barrage of iceberg spikes in another attempt to stop her approach, but are unsuccessful as Ming-Hua weaves her way through the spikes and traps them in ice columns. Using an ice drill, the waterbender tunnels down to P'Li's cell and frees the firebender, much to her surprise. The two return to surface with P'Li hanging on Ming-Hua's back. The former casually remarks that it would have been easier taking the elevator as opposed to using ice claws to climb. Zuko's dragon immediately attacks the two with a fire blast which P'Li deflects, stating that she has waited thirteen years to feel warm again before attacking Druk with a combustion beam. The four criminals promptly flee the scene after Ghazan and P'Li subdue Zuko and Tonraq, respectively. P'Li embraces Zaheer and expresses how she thought that she would never see him again and the two kiss passionately, much to Ghazan's chagrin.

Duel in underground prison
Combatants: Mako, Bolin, Kai, Jinora, Dai Li sergeant, and two members of the Dai Li

Victor: Mako, Bolin, Kai, and Jinora

When Mako, Bolin, Jinora and Kai were heading out of the underground airbender prison cells, they found three Dai Li agents standing infront of the exit. The Dai Li sergeant said that deserting the Earth Queen's army is punishable by death. The three Dai Li agents then fires several Rock gloves at the group. Mako and Bolin defended the two children with their bending. Bolin then takes out one of the Dai Li agents by smasing him on the side of the wall. He also takes down another Dai Li agent using the same way. Mako firebends at the Dai Li sergeant, but he bends a wall to deflect the fire. Then the sergeant uses a rock glove to grab Jinora as hostage. Kai looks at the leader in anger and the leader then strikes an earth rock at him. Kai dodges the attack, then airbends to free Jinora out of the rock glove and knock the sergeant into the rock wall he created.

Duel in Tenzin's study
Combatants: Kya, Zaheer, and two White Lotus sentries

Victor: Zaheer



When Ikki caught Zaheer looking around Tenzin's study, they were interrupted by Kya, who told Ikki to go back to bed. Kya then started questioning how Zaheer knew so much about the Air Nomad culture and how he already is so skilled. Realizing who he really was, she promptly pulled water out of the fountain in the study and tried to knock Zaheer down. In turn, he quickly reacted by jumping out of the way, aided by his airbending. Kya bent the water in a ring around her, while Zaheer grabbed Tenzin's glider. She shoots six chuncks of ice at him, which he deflects with the glider. Zaheer then breaks through the window, onto the roof of a gantry and attempts to fly away. He is stopped by Kya, who uses a tentacle to pull him out of the sky, while she shouts at the White Lotus sentries that she needs help. She jumps into the fountain on ground level and tries to freeze Zaheer, who jumps out of the way at the last second. After Kya rides a wave out of the fountain, she gets knocked down by Zaheer, who attempts to get his glider back, but is stopped by a fire blast from one of the White Lotus sentries, who both start blasting fire at him. Zaheer then pulls his glider back to him with airbending and knocks both sentries out. Kya, now awake again, compresses to large rings of water around her while she has a quick staredown with Zaheer. She shoots, he evades and knocks her down again, before flying away.