Kuvira smiled as she walked along the dirt road. Of to her right was a drop off. She could see a small brook flowing down the mountains. It was truly a quiet and peaceful place to witness. The only thought that soured her mind was that she was still in the United Republic. Earthbending would have allowed her to move faster but she knew that it would have also left a trail. Besides, she would have missed the brook if she was not walking.

Sounds of a truck were heard from behind her. Kuvira made sure to cover her face with her the bed sheet shawl. It drove by, only being a delivery truck. The man driving did not seem to care about her walking along the road. She let out a sigh of relief as she pulled the cloth down. Minutes later another drove by.

It was the same make and model, informing her that it was also a delivery truck. Unlike last time, it did stop. The man caught her attention, waving for her to come closer.

"Where are you heading, stranger? These woods are dangerous at night. Rumor is that a prison was broken into and the prisoners all escaped. Some are still out there according to the police in Republic City." The dark skinned man asked. His eyes were blue, probably from having a background from one of the Water Tribes.

"I'm just going towards the border. I will be fine on my own." Kuvira answered trying to change the pitch of her voice.

"I'm heading to the border myself. I can take you there."

She considered her choices. This man could be the honest, good-willed man he was appearing to be or there could be some other reason for him stopping.

"Alright, just to the border." She wanted to be in her homeland and what the man wanted did not overcome her need to be home.

The man cleared the other seat of the truck and helped her up into the cab. The driver then turned his radio down. He gave her a good look over before focusing on the road.

"Were you lost?" he asked reaching behind his seat for a bottle of water.

"I was walking home. I lost all of my identifying papers and money in the city. The trains wouldn't let me get on." She said as she adjusted her robe.

"That's a pity. I might have some extra Yuans to help you home."

"That's not necessary."

The man chuckled, "Don't think anything of it. It's not every day I get to help a stranger. I'm just doing my part to better the world. That's what the Avatar keeps saying. 'Do your part to help others and this world will be better for it.'"

She walked in with a grin on her face. Kuvira was already in her seat as the prison guards opened the door. She greeted her former enemy before sitting down. It had been a couple of years since Kuvira was saved from the fate of her early death.

"What are you smiling about?" Kuvira asked as she watched the Water Tribe woman.

"I wanted your opinion on something." Korra started as she pulled out a few items, "As you probably know, two women can't really make a baby."

Kuvira raised a brow, "That would be a bit weird and yes, I understand how children are made."

"Of course you do," the Avatar chuckled nervously, "Well, Asami and I were thinking about adopting a boy from the Earth Kingdom. He was found on the street and-"

"Korra, you don't need to ask me what I feel about you adopting." Kuvira interrupted, looking sternly before grinning, "It should be a good thing that you and Ms. Sato are doing this. It is a good thing. I would have loved to have someone caring like you and Asami as parents."

"So you don't think it's strange?"

"No. Not at all."

Korra let out a sigh of relief, "A lot of people think differently. I just want to do my part to better the world. I can do that for this boy."

Kuvira laughed, "You're the Avatar. You can do anything you please, almost to the point of murder."

"I sure hope nothing comes to that. If it does, can you make sure to break out of here and stop me?"

"If you think I should make that promise…"

The younger woman smiled. Of course it would never come to that. Korra had the entire world looking towards her for guidance.

Kuvira answered him even if he did not hear her, "That is something she would say."


She felt someone shake her from her slumber. The driver was saying something about hiding in the back before they reached the border. Kuvira nodded and when he stopped, she found a place in the far back to hide. The driver assured her that he could convince them that he was not smuggling anyone. A part of her felt guilty. She had not decided if she knew whether or not the man knew who he was sneaking across the border yet. As they were stopped, her question was answered. The man did not mention having her on board.

Another few minutes went by before the truck stopped. They were in a town. Some other trucks that had passed her by were also there. Kuvira got out and thanked the man for the ride. She was then given a few Yuans.

"That should give you a meal or two before you try to find work or something. Good luck getting home." He said before stepping up into his truck.

He waved and took off before she could give them back. Her heart felt heavy as she did not deserve this but she would be grateful and try to find something. Just not in this town. She saw the uniforms of the police force walking around. Kuvira wanted to be a few more miles into the country before she could settle for something. She had enough rations to last another day before she would be forced to act upon it.


The intern Governor of the State of Yangwalked into his office. He was in a hurry to get rid of a few papers about where money from Ba Sing Se was going as rumors of an inspection become factual. While he made sure his people were getting the basics to survive, they were only getting the bare basics. He flicked the light on and saw that his chair was facing the large bookshelves behind his desk. The chair swirled around revealing an angry woman. She was tapping her finger tips together, wearing a look of disappointment. She was wearing black glasses which did not seem fitting to her Water Tribe clothing. The man began sweating and his hands began to shake as he played with the papers.

"Avatar Korra," he tugged at his collar as a few drops of sweat ran down his face, "I… I was not expecting you for another few days."

"I came early. My advisers gave me the report on how the people of your state were doing." She picked the report up and dropped it on the other side of the desk, "I left Ba Sing Se to look myself and I must say; I'm highly disappointed. You were chosen because the people felt you could be trusted to help them until the real election came."

"Please Avatar Korra; forgive me. I'll make sure the money gets to them."

Her look of disappointment became a look of annoyance. Her steady voice was lost even as she held back her shouting, "This has been going on for four years! How much longer do you need until the people begin to die from sickness and lack of food? Do you think the money from Ba Sing Se is just for your own purse?"

"Of course not Avatar Korra. My people are getting fed."

"I've spoken with some of the people. They're barely eating." She paused to pinch the bridge of her nose, "I am personally looking after three states of the old Earth Kingdom right now, which means I am forgoing my Avatar duties to the rest of the world to make sure people are getting fed when really, I should be able to trust you to do your damn job."

The man's shoulders dropped as she continued.

"Now, I am about to take on my fourth state." She came out from behind the desk. She took her glasses off and set them on the desk, "You are hereby removed of your position. You will leave this building and take residence elsewhere."

"Avatar Korra, you can't do that. You are not King Wu. You're not even of Earth Kingdom descent. You're nothing but another Kuvira in wait-,"

His rambling stopped as she walked over to him. Even though he stood taller than she, he seemed to shrink in her presence. He also thought he felt a slight breeze go by even when the windows were shut.

"Don't you think I know what I should be doing? I am fixing these states so they can become their own self-reliant nations by the dateline set by King Wu and myself. He asked me for help and I am helping. You are not aiding the people by keeping the money and therefore not helping me."

She then grabbed his collar and slammed him down on the table, "It's not my fault this is all on my shoulders now. I am not doing this for my sake. I do not own the Earth Kingdom and I would rather be home with my family than here, shouting at your greedy, pompous self. I am doing this to prevent future dictators and future warlords by allowing the people the freedom to choose for themselves! You have had nine years and many chances to show your worth and you have failed me, the State of Yang and the King. And do not compare me to her!"

A couple of soldiers, dressed in the recycled uniforms of the Earth Empire, walked in. They saluted as the Avatar looked around the man to greet them.

"Make sure he leaves. I am taking this state under my control until I can find someone to do the job correctly. And make sure the food storages are shipped to their determined destinations. I want a report on this by tonight before I begin throwing more members of high society out on the streets!"

After the man was taken out, Korra leaned over the wooden desk. She let out a sigh of frustration before looking through her next report. There was one more state that was falling behind on their distribution of food and money from Ba Sing Se. She was not looking forward to going there.