In course of the civil war, support for the Southern separatists grew both at the South Pole and internationally: Tonraq was consequently elected rival chief, while Team Avatar and Future Industries declared open assistance in the fight against the North. Despite this, the rebels were eventually defeated by Unalaq's human and dark spirit forces. Afterward, Unalaq succeeded in releasing Vaatu from his imprisonment in the Tree of Time and fused with him to become the Dark Avatar, attempting to bring humanity and spirits together under his leadership. In the end, he was defeated and killed by his niece, Avatar Korra, who subsequently declared the civil war over and the Southern Water Tribe independent.