"What do you mean? Why is the ship not sailing to Ba Sing Se?" Mayumi asked in disbelief, she became increasingly worried about the outlook of their journey. It all happened so suddenly and without even a warning sign.

"I'm sorry, but our ship is experiencing a great problem that will not allow it to sail to the remaining stops on the Earth Kingdom." Thr captained in red uniform explained as simple as possible. "The ship's technical difficulty completely downed the engine, it would be too dangerous to keep going."

"But, can't you just use water benders?" Satchiko suggested eagerly. "I'm sure some of the passengers are willing to help you."

The captain considered Satchiko ideas for a while, but he still couldn't allow it. The fire nation have a strict code of conduct and rules for all of its ships, this includes prohibiting the use of untrained and unqualified individuals as crew members. It's already risky to be transporting passengers in the middle of multiple conflicts between the Earth states as well as roaming pirates. Going along with her idea would be dancing with death itself.

"No, it's still too dangerous, as the captain, the safety of my crew and passengers are my top priority." He said earnestly. "The fire navy will sent someone to tow my ship back to the fire nation, you can board another ship to Ba Sing Se when you get there. But for now, you will have to wait another month for a ship that heads to Ba Sing Se."

"But captain, we don't have that privilege!" Said Mayumi. The very specific condition does not allow Satchiko the leisure of not showing up. Their trip have a certain time constraint that they must adhere to, or else Satchiko's spot in Ba Sing Se university might be passed to someone else. While Mayumi know it's easy to just find another Earth bending teacher elsewhere, she would not allow this setback to destroy her sister's once in a lifetime opportunity.

"Mayumi, it's ok." Satchiko said in a low tone. "If it's too dangerous, then may we shouldn't go." Although Satchiko also doesn't like this situation, she doesn't want Mayumi to overburden herself.

A very dangerous thought appeared in Mayumi's mind, if taking another ship from the fire nation would not allow them to reach Ba Sing Se in time, then maybe, just maybe they can get there by themselves.

"Captain, you have sailed around the Earth Kingdom at least a few times right?" Mayumi inquired. "What are the current situations on the conflicts between the states?"

Satchiko watched, she is interested by what Mayumi is trying to do here. The captain is clearly surprised by her elder sister's sudden question, and he tried to respond as close to reality as possible.

"Eh...well, for one the frontlines are constantly changing. Some state became enemies, some became allies, then for some reason they backstab each other and join another side. At this point, I couldn't even keep track what state is fighting for what. It gets very confusing just to think about it."

"Are there any regions that are partially peaceful? At least not part of a major conflict?" Mayumi went on, for she is determined to find what she is looking for.

"Fat chance, any so called 'peaceful' areas are either constantly raided by bandits-," the captain paused in the middle of the sentence as if he wanted to heavily emphasize the next part. "-or completely razed to the ground by them. It's difficult to not feel sorry for those people living those parts."

"Then it's set then, since we can't get to Ba Sing Se in time through a ship, we will travel across the Earth Kingdom instead!" Mayumi stated in a very determined tone.

Hearing this both Satchiko and the captain reacted with a shocked expression, especially the captain, who tried to change Mayumi's mind.

"Hold on, you not going to travel across the Earth Kingdom just because I said some nonsense!?" The captain said in a now macabre tone. "You could get killed if you go through those parts, I implore you to not do this! How am I supposed to forgive myself!"

"Captain you don't need to worry." Mayumi said in an attempt to calm the captain. "We can defend ourselves, but we will mostly avoid danger during our journey."

With this, Mayumi lead Satchiko down the ship. To the dismay of the captain, the duo left without considering his warnings.

The fire nation tourist stood on the ship's rails and watched the two figures disembarked. She cherished the times and conversation with the two girls. As a women and a non-bender, she herself is relatively weaker and less powerful when compared to the dominant firebenders back home. However, the two Kyoshi warriors she met once again solidified her own will to become stronger despite the shortcomings. Like the ones serving as fire nation palace guards, those two also displayed the same beliefs that people like her can also be just as strong. Although their meeting only lasted a small moment, something tells the tourist that she will one day see those two again. After all, this teenager did lied to Mayumi about her own identity.

...

"I'm sorry that I handed the food out earlier, now we are not going to have anything to eat." Satchiko apologized as the two walked on the streets. "I thought we don't even need it since our journey is quite short, on a ship that is." She said in a dejected spirit.

"There is nothing for you to apologize for, you did the right thing, and I may have been too conservative about our supplies back then." Mayumi said. "What we need to focus now is to get some food in this town that will hopefully last our entire trip."

"Eh sis? May I ask you a question?"

"Yeah?" Mayumi responded, she senses unease in her sister.

"Is it wise to travel to Ba Sing Se on foot?" Satchiko asked objectively. "We might be able to reach there on time, but is it very worth all the danger?"

"We will if we do it correctly, as Kyoshi warriors, stealth is our speciality." Mayumi said. "We will only need to travel in areas where wars and bandits are less frequent." She now tried to display a more confident look, which still did not help to reassure Satchiko's anxious feeling.

By the time they both entered the market, unsurprisingly, another obstacle presented itself. They were immediately astounded by the high cost of everyday food items such as fruit and vegetables, other more expensive products such as meat and diary are even more unaffordable for them. Whether if it's due to the difference in the local currency, Mayumi knew that the money they have in their backpack would not be sufficient.

"These prices...how is anyone even able sustain themselves?" Satchiko said incredulously.

"It's a shame, but with what we have, we will not be able to buy enough to last the entire trip." Mayumi said.

They continued on as they contemplated hard on what to do next. It got to a point where they are on the verge of accepting the harsh reality that they might never make it to Ba Sing Se. Without enough food, they wouldn't even last a day out there. Maybe, this journey was not very meant to be completed. With so many obstacles in their path, perhaps it's wiser to just return home.

However just as they are about to give up, their attention was captivated by the small of group of homeless children who seemed to be amazed at something in the sky.

"Look! It's that flying bison, they are leaving!" a rugged clothes child said as he watched in awe.

"I wish I had one of them," another child said. "That way I can travel anywhere I want!"

Satchiko and Mayumi raised their heads, they spotted the bison those children were pointing at. Four air nomads are spotted on top of it.

"That thing, that cow is flying!" Satchiko exclaimed. "Oh, it's those animals the monks have isn't it?"

"Yes," sparkles appeared in Mayumi's eyes. "Are you thinking what I am think little sister?"

"Definitely, big sis." Satchiko replied.

Both sisters looked at each other affirmatively, this is obviously a get away tickets for their problem. If they can somehow manage to convince whoever is riding on that air bison to give them a lift, they would get to Ba Sing Se in no time! This is clearly a window of opportunity.

"Um excuse me, my name is Satchiko, do you know where that bison is heading?" The Kyoshi warrior inquired politely, she kneeled down to level her position to the children's. She knew that the outcome of their journey may very well depend solely on the children's informations, and she wants to approach them as friendly as possible.

"Oh the air nomad named Jinora said they are heading to the next town called Qiongcheng," the child responded. Mayumi quickly scanned her map for the name of that town, and it just so happens to be within reachable distance.

One boy also eagerly added more to the conversation, it's as if they were all trying to help out here "Those airbenders on the bison said they are going find the Avatar!"

"Yeah, and they have toys on them!" said another.

Avatar? Toys?

This caused Satchiko to became a little bit confused, how are the two subject even related in what they are trying to say here?

"We can't keep them unfortunately, but we were at least lucky enough to touch them." A little girl said in a timid tone, she is clearly afraid of raising her own voice.

Knowing that these children have one of the worst circumstances to live in, Satchiko felt very sorry that she does not have more food to give them. Such is the life of many street dwellers and orphans neglected by their families and the world itself. Even kind hearted people only have so much resources to even bring the smallest positive change to the people's lives.

While Satchiko is still brooding on this, Mayumi placed one of her hand on Satchiko's shoulder, signifying that they are ready to depart.

"Thank you kids! We appreciate your information." Mayumi smiled at the children, who despite having almost nothing, responded in a cheerful manner.

The kids waved as the two Kyoshi warriors walked on towards the exit of the town.

"I wish I could have done more, these kids don't deserve to live like this for their entire lives." Satchiko frowned. Mayumi knew that Satchiko is thinking about the well-being of those children in ragged clothes. She caressed her sister's hair to comfort her.

"I'm sure those children and many others will be well off in the near future, maybe in the form of the Avatar's help." Mayumi said earnestly as she tries to reassure her. "These children might have been orphaned due to the wars between the different Earth Kingdom states, and maybe things will be better when the Avatar is finally found."

"Maybe," was all Satchiko can bring herself say. "Guess the last one did do a pretty good job huh," she said sarcastically. This is the first time in her life that the girl has displayed any disapproval towards the Avatar itself, and it seemed that her admiration of Kyoshi did not deter her. But even still, she still have a deep respect to the Avatars, whose rile is to preserve the balance of this world.

They both headed towards the exit, and noticed that a substantial number of guards were stationed at the gates.

"If you saw these two person wearing those ridiculous face paints, lock those criminals up!" Commanded a high pitched voice. "These two outsiders have committed heinous crime against the people of the GREAT state of Yi! I will not stop until the two of them are placed behind the bars and rot for eternity!"

This immediately set Satchiko and Mayumi in high alert, they quickly hid themselves and peered behind a small piece of wall to observe what was going on.

Like a child, the governor waved a piece of drawing at the standing guards, who seemed to be a little confused at the content of paper. The picture was obviously drawn by the governor himself, but the two person in it resembled nothing like the actual ones. Even without conscious thought, Satchiko already knew that petty governor is trying to make the guards go after her and Mayumi for what happened a bit earlier. She is annoyed that even until now, this incompetent fool is still trying to assert his social status.

"Guess he wasn't kidding when he says he is coming back with more guards!" Satchiko said bitterly. The unjust displayed by this governor towards his own subject only made her more angry.

"We will go another way, those roofs can help us in leaping over the walls." Mayumi said rationally. She pointed at a series of rooftops that is low enough for them to use. Since they are trained as Kyoshi warriors, who are strong in the field of stealth and agility, they can easily bypass the conventional guards undetected.

"Very well," Satchiko said in a hushed tone, even though she knew that the hostiles cannot hear them due to the distance between them. Both them carried out their plan, leaving the governor to continue his wasteful crusade.

"Um my governor, can you describe the fugitives' faces in a bit more detail?" The local guard captain said as respectfully as he can. "If possible, can you please also describe the crimes they have committed?"

The information is a bit too vague for the captain and his men, and there is no way they can work on the picture drawn by the governor.

Two of the guards are limping towards them, their clothes were ripped and they were barely able to walk.

The captain immediately ran forward and supported the two both.

"What happened?" the captain said with a worried expression. "Who did this to you?"

"Captain, we were beaten up by the villagers." the guard with a bruised face said, his tone suggested that his mouth may have suffered a serious injury.

"We failed to catch the two girls who insulted the governor," said the other guard, who has a bloody nose. "We are sorry!"

"It's ok, but why were the villagers beating you?" The captain inquired, he wanted the two guards to mitigate their own injuries before they can reveal more information.

The other men in uniform also tried to help, but right before they can, they witnessed something unthinkable. The governor kicked the face of one of two injured guards, and the captain couldn't even react or comprehend what just happened. He was too shocked by this sudden assault, why would the governor do that?

"You two useless peasants!" The governor lampooned fiercely. "Not only have you two failed to protect my personal safety, you couldn't even handle a small group of lowlives who have sided with them!"

His face was red with anger, apmost becoming a madman. "The worse of all is that you let them escaped! They could be out of this town by now!"

The governor wasn't far off, as both Satchiko and Mayumi might have already leaped over the not so tall walls of this impoverished settlement.

"That will not be a problem," the governor's United Republic minister said in a humble tone. The governor looked at his aide with a sense of hope, he knew it was times like these this man was the most dependably.

"Photos like these will be all over the Earth Kingdom, since the state of Yi is not at war with any of the other states, it's much easier to distribute these posters." He said proudly as he held out a wanted poster with a clear depiction of the two sisters. "I have personally commissioned the printing of thousands of copies, and with the use of messenger Hawks, soon everyone in the Earth Kingdom will be able to see this."

This can only be achieved with the device he is currently holding. A camera, another invention of the United Republic. He must have snatched a shot of the Satchiko and Mayumi when they were arguing with the governor.

The governor reacted with joy, he is now even more grateful for the work of his trusted advisor. If it wasn't for the generosity of Republic city to sent someone like him here, who knows how the governor would get by.

"See that, you all could learn a thing or two from this gentleman!" The governor lectured the captain and his guards. "When you rely only on blunt force to solve your problems, this is what happens!"

The two injured guards were puzzled, didn't the governor ordered them to arrest the two girls?

The captain paid no heed to the governor, only continued to treat the injuries suffered by his two subordinates. The governor has a penchant and favoritism for this politician from Republic city, while belittling every locals including himself. It's almost as if the state of Yi is actually controlled by this outsider.

"My dear governor, there is one problem, what should the bounty be on the criminals?" the minister asked prudently. "I do think a higher price would be better, this can attract more people willing to serve your righteous cause."

"Ten thousand coins!" The governor yelled on the top of his lungs. "For people like them, I would spare no effort and resources on them!" The governor said all of this without any hesitation, it seems that he is very determined to see Satchiko and Mayumi behind the bars. "In the name of justice for the people of Yi, I will bring them to jail!"

The captain and his guards only watched, as the governor announced his next 'grand plan'. Ten thousand coins just to be invested into catching two mere girls. The captain couldn't say anything, only stood still with his men. Most of them reacted with disbelief that ten thousand coins will be washed down the drain, but they are too afraid to even voice that opinion. The captain and every other guards are from poor backgrounds, only barely getting by with the minimal wages of being guards.

They are all Earth benders, but here they have no power. Despite the governor and his trusted advisors both being non-benders, their high social status itself gives them much more power and wealth than everyone beneath them combined. Facing this reality, what can they very do? The governor can spent that money all he wants, and they knew it would be futile to even resist his authority.

"You! Eh what''s your name? The captain! Go to the treasury and fetch the money, you will listen to every instruction my aide dispenses, now scram!" The governor said without any hint of respect. The other soldiers looked on as their captain reluctantly carried out the orders. Unlike the minister, the captain was being treated as though he is some street rat. What they were all not aware was that the captain was secretly clutching his fist under his uniform.

The minister also left the scene, seemingly going to delegate more tasks and orders to those beneath him. It took him a while to distance himself from the governor and and the other guards. He walked across the streets and entered into a small dark alleyway, when he stopped he wasn't facing anyone in particular.

"I see that you are also trying to capture them, what is your intention here Gwai?" A voice of a girl suddenly asked, and she walked out of another intersection within the dark alleyway. Her body was concealed under the hood, but the minister knows who she is.

"Your goal is to capture the daughters of Kyoshi island's chief, since we have similar aspirations of climbing the hierarchy, why shouldn't I outlaw those two?" The minister responded with a smirk.

"And how does incentivizing others to capture the two daughters benefit me? All I see here is that you want to position yourself more favorably in the eyes of those above you!" The girl rebutted. While she knew her group and Republic city had an unwritten alliance, she is also aware that both sides have intentions to outdo the other. The case with Kyoshi island is a good example, both group have similar ambitions on the island itself. Which is exactly why there might be conflicting interests.

"If you are the one who captured them, you can turn in the bounty." Gwai cunningly pointed out. "I know people like you depend on it, after all, it's not like you are a citizen of the United Republic." The last part is clearly intended to anger the girl, but she doesn't give him the satisfaction of a desirable response.

"My goal is to capture them and bring them to my master, they are supposed to serve as hostages used to pressure Kyoshi island." The girl reminded Gwai. "Merely assets for the grand vision of his excellency."

"I know, this is why I issued that reward to anyone who can bring those two girls to that inept Yi governor." Gwai said diplomatically. "If someone other than you actually captured them, I will convince that fool to turn them over to you. That way I can still be credited by him, and strengthen my grasp here. You on the other hand, technically have a better chance to succeed in your own task."

The girl tried to see if there is any flaw in the man's logic. While she couldn't decide on anything yet, she does felt that there may be benefits with this plan. Reluctantly, she extended her hand, and the minister proceeded to shake it casually. Despite this unofficial agreement between the two of them, the girl knew she needs to be cautiously optimistic.

He left for the Main Street, but right before he completely exits the dark alleyway, he said this." Oh, and happy hunting!" in an almost cheerful voice.

The girl didn't respond, only waved her hands to signal something. A few other figures walked out into the view, responding to the hand signals. There were three of them besides the girl, and they all appear to be in the same age as her.

"What is the situation? Have you found them yet?" The girl asked in a more approachable tone. She is now a bit more expressive without that Gwai being here.

"Huo, I am sorry, we let those two out of our sight, they were fast and we lost them." Another voice said apologetically to the girl. "However, we did discover from the local children that they are heading to the next town."

"Then there's nothing to worry about," the girl named Huo said with a renewed confidence. "Remember, we cannot fail this mission, our master has done so much for us and we must not fail him!"

The other three nodded to reaffirm their resolve, they too have the same conviction towards their beloved leader. The four of them put their hands together, and silently released them. They set out towards the same direction of where Satchiko and Mayumi headed, and begin their operation to capture their targets.

Little did they know, this would be the last moment the four of them would be together.

Author's note:

-In previous chapters, there has been bug that caused the delay to chapter 14 and 15, but thanks to a user named Matheus Bezerra de Lima, I was able to reupload the chapters. I would like to acknowledge this user's help in notifying me of this problem, which allows me to fix it in a timely manner. Thanks Matheus.

-Kaoart