Daylight brought reality crashing down on Asami. Mako and Bolin's horrified faces as Korra told them of Vaatu made it sink how desperate their situation was. Suddenly it seemed selfish to get lost in the darkness of the bedroom on the ship, trading soft kisses with Korra. She had Avatar duties. And there was Asami, pulling her in for more kisses because it was one of the only things she'd wanted over the past several months: to have her feelings eagerly reciprocated.

Thankfully, Varrick and Zhu Li helped them work out a plan for when they reached Republic City. Korra would go with Varrick to President Raiko's office to ask for troops to be sent to the Southern Water Tribe. Mako had to return to his job as an officer, and Bolin would work on some venture with Zhu Li until Varrick returned. Which left Asami to visit her factory.

When the ship docked mid-afternoon, relief washed through Asami. She was home, it was warm, and they had a plan. Everything was going to be okay. Her friends went their separate ways but not before Korra pressed a hard, heated kiss to her lips that left Asami breathless. Korra was a fast learner. Mako turned away, eyes rolling but a smirk on his lips, and Bolin made a gagging noise before running back aboard the ship with Zhu Li.

"Good luck at the factory," Korra said, her lips close enough to brush Asami's as she spoke. "Tell me about everything tonight over dinner at Air Temple Island?" Her blue eyes were full and bright and she gave Asami a slight pout.

As if Asami could ever say no to that face. "It's a date," Asami said, feeling light despite what she knew was waiting at her factory.

She would try and fail to cling to that feeling all throughout the disheartening meetings, the disturbing pages of sales figures, and her board all but yelling at her about the terrible state of Future Industries. It seemed like every minute, more bad news poured in. While she was away, the two largest sales her company had made in months had been lost at sea, leaving a gaping hole in her inventory and furious customers demanding refunds.

At the end of the day, all Asami wanted to do was curl up into a ball and cry under her desk. It was a mistake to try and save the company. She should've listened to the dozens of people who'd told her to sell it to someone who knew what they were actually doing. She was nineteen, more of an engineer, not a businesswoman. But what would she do without Future Industries?

It was that last thought that made her pick herself up and march back to Varrick's ship. Maybe he could help her. He'd done it before and she helped him escape imprisonment, so he owed her at least some free business advice.

She was nearly to the gangplank when a blur of blue cut in front of her. Asami looked up from her papers, ready to yell at the inconsiderate person, when her eyes connected with Korra's hard blue ones. The scowl on her soulmate's face dropped. "Sorry, I was so focused on getting to Varrick I tuned out everything else," Korra said, scratching the back of her neck.

"I'm on my way to see him, too," Asami said.

Korra gave her a small smile and gestured for Asami to proceed first. The air between them was different now, no longer awkward. The two walked aboard and headed up to the open second deck. Asami just reached the top of the stairs when she heard a whistling in the air. She was abruptly tugged backwards by hard, warm arms around her middle. Her back pressed into Korra's chest. Barely a foot ahead, an arrow plunked against a straw target Asami had stepped in front of a second before.

Hot breath fanned across her neck. Korra sighed and Asami felt her forehead drop to touch the back of Asami's neck. Asami felt childish when her legs shook in response. "That was close," Korra murmured.

Asami shifted in Korra's arms so they were facing each other. She placed her hands on Korra's shoulders. "Thanks. Getting shot with an arrow would've been the icing on the cake to this terrible day." She kissed Korra's cheek and was pleased when it made Korra blush.

"It was nothing," Korra mumbled. "It, uh, it would've hurt me too if you'd been hit so…" She shrugged but Asami could tell Korra wasn't really worried about feeling her pain.

"Sorry about that Asami!" Varrick scrambled across the deck, a blindfold hanging loosely around his neck, a bow clutched in his left hand. He was completely oblivious to the affectionate exchanged in front of him. "Didn't expect visitors."

Asami waved it off, though her heart was still pounding from the ordeal. "It was an accident."

Varrick nodded and tossed his bow across the room. "So what brings you here?" His eyes jumped from Asami to Korra and he pointed. "I know why you're here and the answer is no, I haven't come up with an idea for how to get troops yet."

Asami looked at Korra, brow creased. "President Raiko didn't understand? What happened during your talk?"

Korra's eyes narrowed and her lips pressed into a thin, hard line. "Once the press got his picture shaking my hand, he didn't want anything to do with me." She started pacing. "I told him everything about the civil war, about Unalaq's plans to use Vaatu and the spirit attack on the way here. And he said I was crazy! I can bend all four elements, return people's bending, and talk with my past lives but apparently it's 'far fetched' that every ten thousand years, the spirits of light and darkness battle for the fate of the world and how could I possibly know that, I must be hallucinating." Korra's back heaved from talking so quickly without taking in a breath.

"Well your presentation was a little unbelievable," Varrick remarked, looking at his fingernails. The silence made him look up at Korra. "What? You go in talking about seeing things in your head. I didn't believe you either."

The whole ship suddenly rocked despite being docked in placid waters. "I'm the Avatar. People are supposed to trust me when I talk about spirits! I'm the bridge between our worlds!"

Varrick stroked his thin mustache, unperturbed. "Your tribe is under attack, so people are going to think you're biased."

He had a good point, though Asami wouldn't say that out loud. "We could try again," she suggested. "I'll tell President Raiko what I saw." Maybe I can do more here than I can with my company, she thought.

"It doesn't matter what anyone says." Korra offered her an apologetic smile. "Until I can find physical proof—like a book about Harmonic Convergence or Raava and Vaatu—he's not going to believe me. He thinks I'm making this all up so I can get troops to save my family."

Asami's heart sank. Ten thousand years had passed between now and the last Harmonic Convergence. She doubted any text from that time still existed. "There aren't any books, are there?"

Korra's head hung down. "Maybe in Won Shi Tong's library, but that was buried when Aang visited it." She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "I wish my past lives had done a better job telling people about Harmonic Convergence. I tried talking to some them after the meeting but most of them didn't even know who Raava was, let alone all the other stuff. I guess there wasn't much point. Vaatu was trapped and why worry over something that doesn't happen in your lifetime?"

"Still, it would make things easier now." Asami ran a soothing hand up and down Korra's arm. "I'm sorry. We'll find a way get fighters to the South. Unalaq won't get away with this." Words could only calm for so long. They needed to come up with a solution.

Varrick threw an arm around Korra's neck. "Why don't we go right to the troops? They love a good fight!"

"Go over the President's head?" Asami didn't like the idea. What was Varrick thinking?

A thoughtful look crossed Korra's face. She was considering it? "I'm a friend of General Iroh's. Maybe he can help." She must be anxious, Asami thought.

A scoff made them turn towards the stairs. Mako stood there in his police uniform, arms folded, frowning. "You can't hijack the United Forces. Look, Korra, I'm with you, but getting Iroh to deploy in the South…it kind of seems like you're trying to help the South win the war. You're the Avatar; you're supposed to be impartial."

Korra glared at Mako. "You know I'm only looking for soldiers to stop the fighting and Unalaq. So what if it happens that I can protect my family and people this way, too?"

Mako jabbed his thumb into his chest. "Yeah, I know, but the people of Republic City don't! They're going to see it as you asking their soldiers to fight in a war that doesn't affect or involve them." He held up a hand. "I know your intentions are good, that if you could stop the fighting yourself, you would. But you have to consider what it looks like to people outside of our group."

Everything he said made sense but Korra definitely didn't look happy about it. She opened her mouth, probably to yell something, but Varrick beat her.

"Then we'll make them want to fight! And I know exactly how to do that. Zhu Li, do the thing!" Varrick snapped his fingers.

Zhu Li ran to the only other door on deck and wrenched it open. She stepped inside and reappeared a moment later pushing the projector Asami had seen once before. She set it up quickly, rushed to turn the lights off, and everyone turned to watch the mover on the collapsible screen.

Varrick had somehow filmed the occupation of the Southern Water Tribe. When the film ended, Asami asked, "How is this footage going to change peoples' minds?" As impressive as the technology was, some soldiers standing around wasn't exactly inspiring.

"Glad you asked!" He unhooked his arm from around Korra's neck, walked up to Asami, and slung it around her neck. His other hand waved in the air in front of them. "You've seen plays, right? Now imagine one unfolding on screen with action, romance, adventure! I've got a script in the works…" He spent several minutes detailing a cheesy propaganda film series before he eventually called out, "Bolin, NOW!"

The door where Zhu Li got the projector burst open and Bolin stumbled out wearing…well, almost nothing: a skimpy, blue, fur-trimmed vest that exposed his muscled torso and a pair of matching, tight shorts and boots. He flexed his arms and shot his friends a grin. "I'm Nuktuk, Hero of the South!"

Asami covered her mouth with her hand quickly so she didn't burst out laughing. She glanced at Korra and Mako. Korra looked confused while Mako was hiding his face in his hand. "This is ridiculous," he mumbled.

Bolin deflated but Asami was quick to defend. "Actually, it could work. Think about how Amon won over his followers. He appealed to the masses of nonbenders." Her comparison infuriated Mako. "The difference here is that we're doing this for the greater good."

"At least someone appreciates my genius!" Varrick's arm squeezed her, then stepped away. "It's a good thing you're here, Sato, because I have another proposal for you. Since we hit a snag with Raiko, the rebels are going to need weapons until we get manpower. Now that you know we're fighting for a just cause, would you be willing to sell me mecha tanks?"

The voices of her partners swirled in her head. This was a sale she needed if she wanted to save her company and her still loyal employees. And it would help Korra. It might even help save the world. "Okay."

"Asami." Korra looked horrified. She grabbed Asami's hand. "Don't do this because of me. We can find another way."

It was sweet Korra cared so much. Asami placed her left hand on Korra's right cheek. The flush that spread across Korra's face made Asami's heart flutter. "I'm not." Korra looked at her in disbelief. "The mecha tanks aren't going to be used oppress people this time, they're going to help end the violence."

Korra still looked distressed. "But your dad…your image." She placed her hand over Asami's.

"It's to stop Unalaq and Vaatu, Korra. My image doesn't matter." Maybe once Harmonic Convergence was over, people would see the logic behind her weapons sales and start to forgive her. She wouldn't bet on it, but she could dream. "If Vaatu escapes, then there won't be any Future Industries to come back to anyways, so I'll help however I can."

"When you put it like that…" Korra didn't sound happy, but she said no more.

"Don't worry, I know just how to spin this. We'll incorporate Future Industries into the movers, too. You'll be as much of a good guy as Nuktuk is!" Varrick said. "And if I'm remembering your figures from our last deal, the sales alone should be enough to put you back in the black."

For once, Asami dared to hope. Everything was falling into place. They could do it all: save Future Industries, the Water Tribes, the world.

Mako's cough broke her from her thoughts. "I've got to go." He started to leave but stopped at the top of the stairs. He met Korra's gaze. "You still planning on leading the peace march tonight?" When Korra nodded, he groaned. "Great. I'll let Chief know."

"I should head out, too," Korra said after Mako's footsteps faded. "I didn't know about the march before, so I'm going to be later than I thought."

Asami patted the paperwork she forgot she'd tucked under her arm. "Me too. Raincheck on dinner?"

Korra sighed but agreed. She hugged Asami and left. In a matter of minutes, Asami was settled at a table with Bolin, Varrick, and Zhu Li, papers scattered between them. She had a lot of work to do.

Smoke choked the air. Tiny, flickering orange embers and gray ash rained down on the street crushed with panicking people. This wasn't how the peace march was supposed to go. Everything was fine at first, save for some aggressive comments from Northerners on the sidewalks. Then, a series of explosions rocked the Southern Tribe Cultural Center. Chaos ensued as people ran out of the way of burning chunks of building.

Korra bent more fresh air around her with one hand as the other channeled a thick stream of water up to a particularly stubborn fire on the second floor. Another waterbender joined her and the flames started to shrink. When it was nearly out, a thunder of footsteps made her glance to the side.

Mako halted beside her. He was panting, his chest heaving. Smears of black soot graced his face and uniform. Korra swallowed back a harsh comment about people not seeing the threat of the Northern Water Tribe. Now wasn't the time to continue their argument. "See if you can smother some of the smaller fires on the first floor."

"I've got bigger news," he huffed. He raised his arm and wiped sweat off his forehead. "I just chased some people who might be responsible for this. I almost had them when a window blew and I had to deal with the flames shooting out." No wonder his uniform looked scorched in some places.

"So?" Korra moved on to another burning cluster higher up, not making eye contact with Mako. She was sure he'd done his best to stop them, but it only made her feel worse about the situation. No suspects in custody meant angry Water Tribe people demanding action. "Any leads?"

Mako nodded. "It's a strange one though. The man I was chasing was a firebender." Korra cocked an eyebrow. "Seriously. He bent the flames to cover his escape."

That didn't make sense. Korra pursed her lips. "Why would the North have firebenders working for them?" The Northern Water Tribe, under Unalaq's orders, must have done this. The motive was there.

She was met with a shrug. "With enough money, thugs will do whatever they're asked. Maybe your unc—Unalaq hired them?" Mako asked.

That was possible. "If he wants to release Vaatu, the best way to do that would be to cause widespread panic. So I guess it makes sense he'd start something in Republic City. So many people live here." Not to mention he knew Korra would be running back here. "He's keeping me distracted here while riling people up at the same time."

Mako frowned. "Maybe. Let's just hope it doesn't get as bad as it did during the Equalist takeover." He shuffled his feet, his eyes on the burnt husk of the cultural center. "Listen, I'm sorry about earlier. It's not that I don't want to help your tribe it's just—"

"It's not just about my tribe, Mako." Don't start fighting again; that won't help. Korra bit her lip and considered her next words. "Every clash of weapons, every drop of blood shed is fueling Vaatu and turning the spirits dark. I don't want the South to destroy the North, I just want to stop the fighting before Vaatu gets powerful enough to break free."

"I know. It's kind of hard to wrap my head around the idea of a spirit destroying us all though. Most people here have never seen one so asking them to stop something that's never touched their lives is a hard thing to do. And you can't exactly control how people feel." He was right of course. Mako perked up. "There's the Chief. I've gotta go give her my report and tell her about the bombs. The way they went off…I've never seen anything like it before, like they were contained." He mumbled the last part as he ran off.

"Mako!" Korra called after him. He stopped mid stride and spun towards her. "Tell Beifong crowd control needs to get everyone to calm down. Emphasis on calm."

Mako gave her a swift nod then proceeded to run again. Maybe the police could defuse the situation before fighting broke out on the streets. Korra supposed that was wishful thinking, but it was better than nothing. She had to come up with a stronger game plan and soon.

Raiko had proven to be ineffective in quelling the rising conflict between his own people. By ignoring the strife between the tribes in the city alone, he would only make things worse in the coming days and was playing right into Unalaq's hands. Korra needed someone knowledgeable about spirits and Harmonic Convergence to back her up, to reason with Raiko and the citizens of Republic City. She needed a well-known, respected spiritual leader who could help her peacefully end tension in the city while she headed back to the Southern Water Tribe. Korra sighed. Only one person fit the bill. She needed Tenzin.