200 years after “Legend of Korra” 
The amount of benders in the world has decreased rapidly since Korra was pointed out as the avatar. now only a handfull of benders exist in each school. The avatar was concerned, and traveled through time and space to seek out the wisdom of earlier lives. The current avatar, Kyoru of the flame, said this to the world:
“A thousand generations ago, I was a god. There were no other benders alive and my abilities appeared even more supernatural than they do today. I ruled with love, and had many children with many wives. In the Shien empire, situated where the earth kingdom met the fire nation hundreds of years ago, a girl was born and raised to be a high priestess of the sun. she was considered pure and holy, for it was not in her to bend an element. So rare was it for people then, that they saw her as divine. 
Benders have come and gone through the ages, sometimes more, sometimes less. If we go back far enough there was even a time when I, the avatar, did not exist. Do not be concerned about this, the benders will return, the cycle is still turning.” 

But all was not as well as the avatar tried to make it sound. In the Republic city, the equalists saw their struggle as over, and they had won. Laws were being passed that limited a benders legal use of their ability. Next, they needed a certificate to practice bending in public at all. A database was formed, listing everyone with bending powers. It was not long until bending fell into the great swamp of show business. Art exhibitions and martial art. The old forms once again arose from the ashes of time. Apart from the avatar, benders were no longer considered masters of their trade, but entertainers and artists.