They say some things are best left for imagination, but I really wish we got a fully animated flashback sequence to the night the Red Lotus tried to kidnap Korra.

Seeing old Zuko and Sokka in action would've been especially amazing...

This whole incident is most likely what inspired the White Lotus to build a secluded compound and to form Avatar’s personal bodyguard unit as shown in the series. (Remember that passage from The Rise of Kyoshi where Rangi wished Kyoshi had her own castle and armies to defend her? Well, Korra got all of that.)

What we know for certain about this incident:

1) Sokka, Zuko, Tenzin, and Tonraq were there to physically stop Zaheer (a nonbender at the time) and his accomplices from abducting Korra.

2) Based on “Friends for Life” comic and the show’s dialogues, Korra didn’t immediately start living in the White Lotus Compound upon her discovery as the Avatar.

3) Korra was kept in the dark and has no memory of the event.

4) Existence of the Red Lotus was not revealed

Going off of those information, my headcanon is that Tenzin, Sokka, or Zuko were somehow able to obtain intelligence regarding the planned abduction. Maybe the Red Lotus was active before kidnapping Korra? That could explain how the characters were alerted.

They would move Korra to safety and prepare an ambush with Tonraq.

I think Sokka and Zuko bringing their own troops would make a lot of sense, considering they were both leaders of their respective nations at the time.

I also included Sokka’s daughter because, why not? We deserve more information about Sokka’s life post-ATLA! If she wasn’t directly involved in the battle, it doesn’t go against the canon ¯_(ツ)_/¯