The United Republic Council received replies to its letters exactly four days after they'd been sent; the first answer, from the Earth King, came early in the morning, when the council members had just arrived at City Hall. It read:

To whom it may concern:

We are honored that you considered the Earth Kingdom in your time of need. Still, we have no reason to believe this "revolution" is as strong as you say. It would be foolish to lend valued benders to a cause we have no validation of.

However: It is well known that the Avatar is in Republic City. If, perhaps, the Avatar were to come to Ba Sing Se and testify personally, my advisors and I would reconsider.

Best Wishes,

The 53rd Earth King, Kuwan

Later, in the afternoon, the chiefs of the Northern and Southern Water Tribes sent similar messages: they would not give away benders so carelessly unless the Avatar herself came to them. Fire Lord Zara was last to answer, late in the evening.

To the United Republic Council,

Greetings. I have considered your request with my father and corresponded with the Earth King Kuwan. It is agreed between us that it would not be politically sound to draft all suitable firebenders in my domain to service, not without a proper send-off. If Avatar Korra were to speak to my council and nation, we would be more likely to come to your aid.

Fire Lord Zara

Tenzin was greatly troubled with the replies. "We can't possibly agree to these requests! Korra is already in danger, but to leave the city, that would be a disaster waiting to happen!"

"Oh, come now, Tenzin." Tarrlok, as was expected, saw no fault with the terms. "The Order of the White Lotus would accompany her, and some of Chief Beifong's men. Besides, if she stays in the city, she's even closer to the real threat."

The Earth Kingdom representative contemplated this. "True, Amon's powers only extend within the city. Perhaps the Avatar is safer outside of the United Republic."

"Nonsense!" the Fire Nation councilwoman exclaimed. "Avatar Korra needs to remain in the city, where we — the only legislative body that understands the situation — can keep an eye on her."

The councilman from the Southern Water Tribe frowned. "I agree with Tarrlok. The Equalists would not even know she left the city."

"But if they were to find out!"

"That's enough, Tenzin." Tarrlok rose from his seat. "By a show of hands, who believes the demands of the Fire Nation, the Earth Kingdom, and the Water Tribes should be met, for the benefit of the citizens of Republic City?"

Tenzin and the Fire Nation woman kept their hands down, but they were outnumbered. Tarrlok, smug, said, "Well, that settles it. This session of the United Republic Council is adjourned."

"Wait." Tenzin stood and moved to stand across the u-shaped table from Tarrlok. "You haven't asked what Korra thinks about this."

Tarrlok laughed. "She may be the Avatar, Tenzin, but she's still seventeen years old, and she will do as she is told."

"Have you even met her?" Tenzin asked, appalled.

"I'm sure she'll jump at the chance to go off on an adventure. The way you keep her locked up on Air Temple Island, she must be dying to get away. And if I invite those street rats she's always with, it won't be a challenge."

Tarrlok turned to the Earth Kingdom man. "Please, write letters to the Fire Lord, Earth King, and Water Tribe Chiefs. Let them know the Avatar is on the way."

"Tenzin?"

Korra looked up to see her airbending teacher's eyes on her yet again.

"Yes?"

"Is there something you want to tell me?" She aimed another air blast at the wooden dummy. Somewhere far off on the island, she could hear Meelo's cackle.

Tenzin sighed and motioned for her to sit down with him on the Air Temple's steps. "I've been wondering how to tell you this. You see, there was a council meeting yesterday."

"Tarrlok told me the other day that you were putting together some kind of army."

He huffed a little at the mention of his rival councilman. "I don't agree with this, but yes, that's the intention. However, we hit a small problem at the last meeting. The other nations refuse to give any soldiers to us unless they speak to you personally."

"That's too bad. It sounded like a good plan — "

"No, Korra." Tenzin sighed again. "The council has already voted. You must go."

Without thinking, she got to her feet. "What do you mean, must? I don't have to do anything."

"They won't change their decision. When there is a threat to the city or the nation, the council has the power to imprison or sentence to trial anyone who doesn't comply with the council's order."

"So if I don't risk my neck for them, they'll throw me in prison?" She was practically shouting now.

The airbending master rose from the steps. "Correct. Tarrlok is ruthless in his desires. He wants an army, it seems, and he's doing anything he can to get one."

A trio of flying bison swam through the air overhead. Ikki and Meelo were chasing the trio on gliders, laughing with uncontained glee. Tenzin waited for them to pass before speaking again.

"Korra, there's nothing we can do now but prepare. The Order of the White Lotus will be there for the entire trip. Chief Beifong will lend us police officers to act as a personal guard of sorts, and if they agree to it, you pro-bending teammates are welcome to join you."

She didn't see why they would possibly want to come with her on a perilous journey to the other nations, but she had to at least ask. "Okay. Okay. I'll see what they think."

"So? Are you in or what?"

Mako and Bolin shared uneasy looks. Bolin spoke what was on both of their minds. "But what about the tournament? Now that we're being sponsored, and we're in the champs, you want to leave?"

"I really didn't want to have to tell you this," she said heavily, "but until a standing army is put together, the council is cancelling the pro-bending tournament."

"What? Why?"

Korra gazed through the window of the attic apartment before answering. "Since it's a bending-oriented event, they think Amon will try to attack one of the matches. They just want to postpone it so no one gets hurt."

Mako, furious, asked, "So if we get the other nations to give us benders, the tournament's back on?"

"Yep."

"Then we're in."

The resolved statement shocked Bolin and Korra, who gave him startled stares. Bolin looked especially frightened.

"Mako, are you sure about this?"

The captain nodded. "I've worked too hard on this team to let it go sitting down."

She found herself grinning, despite how bad the situation was. Mako and Bolin were backing her up.

"I'd better talk to Asami and see if she wants to come," mused Mako. Korra scowled at him behind his back. She didn't care much for Asami Sato ― though glad that Mr. Sato was paying for their tournament spot, the Avatar held no love for the girl.

"Yeah, you do that." Mako didn't notice Korra's tone and went about wrapping his scarf around his neck.

"How long do you think we'll be gone?" he asked, fixing a strap on his glove.

"Tenzin gave me a whole itinerary. Let's see . . . we'll be going to Ba Sing Se first, to meet the Earth King, which will take a few days by train. Then from there, we'll take another train to the coast, where we'll board a ship to the Northern Water Tribe, to speak with the chief. Chief Beifong will send us an airship to get to the Fire Nation and talk to Fire Lord Zara. Finally, another ship will take us to the Southern Water Tribe, and the same ship will bring us back to Republic City."

Bolin's jaw dropped. "Wow. So, like, a world tour?"

"Exactly."

Mako, already at the door, raised his arched eyebrows. "When are we leaving?"

Korra laughed shakily. "Oh, about that. The train for Ba Sing Se leaves . . . tomorrow."

Now it was Mako's mouth that fell open. "Tomorrow? Are you crazy?"

"Tarrlok's pushing this," she explained. "He wants this done as soon as possible."

"But on one day's notice?" Bolin rubbed the back of his head. "I mean, you couldn't have mentioned this sooner?"

"I just found out this morning!"

"Yikes." Mako started out the door. "I'll go let Asami know. Hope she can clear her schedule."

He left, and Bolin began rushing around the attic, gathering possessions, packing things into two raggedy suitcases he retrieved from a closet. Korra helped by kindly defining what he did and did not need on a long journey. His box of fan mail, for example, was not a necessity at this point.

Much later, when darkness had fully blanketed the city, the Avatar stretched out on the high roof of Tenzin's home, eyes on the sky. The moon was bright and close. She wondered what the moon would look like from Ba Sing Se, or the Fire Nation's Capital City.

Some great distance from her, in the city, someone screamed.