The World of Avatar: Spacebenders
Given that Bryke were given the opportunity to make another series in the Avatar world, it's gotten me thinking about what kind of story I'd like to see next, if they can tackle it. First and foremost, I'd love to see them tackle something similar to the original concept: cyberpunk, futuristic, lots of robots and junk. Now, incorporating that into the existing Avatar mythology and possible character arcs, and the dwindling spirituality of the people of the Avatar world (and one comment made by an infinitely wise six-year-old about how it wasn't fair that the Equalists got electrified gloves that kind of nullified all the work and discipline that goes into learning bending the hard, natural way), here's something I'd love to see:
The Avatar is the antagonist, a supposed all-powerful being corrupted by power and using his/her influence for personal gain. Bending has taken a higher level; bending the original elements is rare, especially for earthbenders and firebenders, who have become something more like metalbenders and laserbenders (sounds lame, I can't think of another name, but they can bend the supercharged energy that comes out of most of the modern day's weaponry, and though most can redirect electricity and even jump-start small appliances, most can't conjure up real fire anymore). Waterbenders are used to all sources of their element being so choked with sewage and filth they've become more like mudbenders, and airbenders keep their gifts to themselves, since it isn't much use out in the black of space, where most discovered airbenders are sent. Thanks to the Avatar, bending teachings are strictly regulated and hardly anyone is allowed to learn much more than the most basic of concepts to fulfill their daily jobs, if it's required. Machines do most heavy "bending" now. The situation of the nonbenders is slightly better, especially if they choose to become mechanics or engineers (which benders aren't allowed to do), but on the whole it's not a good life for anybody in the 'verse (to use a term from Joss Whedon). The Avatar's made sure that if anyone's gonna be bending, it'd better be him/her, and if anybody's gonna be operating the heavy machinery, they'd better be (in his/her eyes) defenseless when separated from the machinery.
(Naturally the Avatar can't access the Avatar State like that, since his/her past lives would take over and probably kill him/her, but there's no reason for the general public to know that. Besides, he/she's a powerful bender without the stinkin' Avatar State anyway. His/her catchphrase is "Who said balance had to be on the light side?")
There's an underground organization, a remnant of the White Lotus with a different name but a similar symbol, that's heading a rebellion, but it's small and its form of rebellion is proper education for benders and nonbenders alike, both in academia and bending/fighting styles, operating right under the Avatar's nose much like the homeless network in Korra. The future looks hopeless, but in tandem with a few good spirits from the other side (also wildly off-kilter) and some past Avatars, the heroes for this story just might have a fighting shot to bring true balance to the world.
Am I crazy for thinking this could be an awesome show?
