The last day was hectic to say the least. The plane to Republic left shortly after midnight, so Lai was nearly falling asleep as she said her goodbyes. She was planning on sleeping on the plane, so she was didn't appreciate on being woken halfway through by a familiar voice. You are out of balance.

'Yes mom, I remembered to pack the thick tangzhuang.' She looked around. 'Oh, it's you.' Lai leaned back into her chair, trying to get comfortable.

You seem too relaxed. That is foolish. A sleeping beast is the easiest to catch.

'Well last time you lost, even when you used your' she paused, thinking what to call it.

Our state of full strength. Our combined strength, flowing through a single vessel, sharing all knowledge and power of the legion of the dead.

'Legion State.' Lai finished. 'You couldn't beat me then, even with it.'

We learn. Now you we know how to use it. We have learned more than you have from our defeat. All things balance.

'You also got hurled out of speaking to me by my past life. Twice, all of you've been beaten by a single person. Not going well for you.'

Fool! If you take a piece in Pai Sho, do you celebrate a game won? No, you must be ever watchful for traps and counterattacks, and play to the bitter end.

'So you lost on purpose? I don't believe.'

Believe what you wish. We will bring balance to the world. Fair well. Conduit's voice faded. Lai slowly drifted off to sleep again.

A few hours later, the plane landed at President Raiku Airport. Lai lazily got off the plane, and looked around the cityscape in the dull morning. It was cold, with a layer of frost over the city, being slowly cleared by the movement of satomoblies.

The city had spread out over the last century, as spirit vines and spirits caused breaks in the cities boroughs. Old skyscrapers stood next to tall vine forests, spreading the city far along the coast. Lai had even heard of a new underground district being built into the side of one the mountains, simply as there was nowhere else to go. Except the sea, that is – in the distance, Lai saw a huge acrology pierce out of the bay, behind the statue of Avatar Aang.

Lai checked the map for the airport Metro station. She'd heard that trying to get about on the surface was near impossible because of the crowds and the spirits. She took a few lines, before reaching the North Cliffs borough, where Korra's old house was. The area was unstereotypical of Republic City, as there were few spirit vines and wasn't particularly built up. It wasn't hard to find the Sato mansion – even for the area it was the largest house around.

Lai rang the doorbell on the house gates. 'Hello, Sato residence,' a voice came from the speaker.

'Hi, it's the Avatar. I was hoping you'd let me in.'

'Um, hold on please.' There was some muffled sounds from speaker. After a few minutes, the voice spoke again. 'You're welcome inside, Avatar.' The gates opened.

Lai walked through to the entrance of the mansion, where she was let in by a butler, to middle aged man of uncertain heritage. 'Avatar Lai, welcome. I am Daimang Sato.' He bowed lightly.

Lai responded in kind. 'Huh. You're Avatar Korra's grandson, right?' Lai had looked up the family tree for a few past Avatars. Daimang was Nokka's second cousin, once removed. I'm just glad he's not calling me grandma as well.

'That's right. So, to what do I owe the pleasure?'

'I was hoping I could use your house to speak to your grandma. She said that being here would make it easier.'

'Really?' Daimang was surprised to say the least. 'Well, I guess I can't refuse you.'

'Great. Is there anywhere I can go that was especially close too?'

'Hmm.' Daimang thought about this. 'Perhaps the back house? That hasn't really changed since she died. We have all her stuff kept there.'

'Huh, great.'

'I'll show you the way. You can leave your stuff here.' Lai put her luggage down, which the butler started to organise.

'So, are you in Republic City just for this?' Daimang asked.

'No actually.' Lai said as they passed a statue of a turtle-lion. 'I need to go see the Dragon Inferno Corporation.'

'Oh really? I suppose this is to do with that man in the Fire nation you fought.'

'You know about that?' Lai asked.

'I'm a major shareholder in Future Industries. I have to know about the competition. Besides it's been all over the news.'

'So you know about them, then? What can you tell me?'

'I'm not sure I can tell you much more than anyone else.' Daimang sighed. 'These days, if anyone knows hears secret, everyone hears it. But there are some rumours of stuff in the Earth Kingdom. Not evidence, but given the range of companies they have, it's bound to happen. There are conspiracy theories about them working with the Earth Queen to start a full scale war on the Earth Continent, and make money of both sides. Like I said, no proof.'

That sounded worrying to Lai. Didn't General Hin want a war with the Earth Queen. She felt pieces were starting to slowly come together.

'So, here it is.' Daimang opened a door to a large outside building. 'I'll just leave you to it,' he said, walking away.

Looking inside, the area looked a tad eclectic. It had a load of Southern Trip items within it – a polar bear-dog saddle, a partly deconstructed sailcraft, a couple of sealskin shields, a blue knife. e said, walking away. A heavily used glider hung up on a wall, next to a box of pro-bending gear. After a few minutes looking around, Lai stopped being nosy, and sat down in the centre of the room.

It didn't take long – this was a place close to Avatar Korra, and despite her problems with the spirit world, soon a blue figure started to appear before her. Wearing Water Tribe garb, she looked if as if she was in her 40's – not young, but certainly healthy.

'Hello, Lai.' She sat opposite Lai in the same sitting position.

'Hi.' Lai responded.