Amidst the midnight hour, when the moon cast a pale glow and the sky was veiled in darkness, most people had retired to rest after a long day's work. Lin Beifong, however, was among the night owls, diligently reviewing the case of the decoy, Jeron, who had impersonated the fire-spraying nemesis known as Zit. His belongings were neatly laid out on the table as Lin sifted through them, searching for any clue that might shed light on Zit's next move.
Her fingers landed on the picture with the falling sun, and she noticed a hidden note behind it. It read, "My people will see me fall." This message hinted at Zit's intention to escape from the floating prison. However, the mystery deepened as Lin pondered over who these "people" referred to in the note. The enigma of Zit's plan became more intriguing, leaving her with questions that demanded answers.
"Hmmm?"As Lin continued her investigation, she discovered a dirty hand glove among the decoy's belongings. The glove was covered with dirt, vines, and leaves, and its distinct scent hinted at its connection to the swamp.
With a keen sense of intuition, Lin decided to call for a dog to track the scent of the glove. The trained dog was quick to pick up the scent, and Lin followed closely as they embarked on a journey. They raced along the riverbank, the dog barking and leading the way, making Lin's heart race.
Finally, they arrived at a location where the dog halted, barking at the dense swarm on the other side of the river. Lin scooped up the dog and, with determination, swung herself across to the opposite bank. The dog continued to sniff around until it picked up the scent once more, guiding Lin on a chase that covered several miles.
Their pursuit culminated at a specific spot, where the dog signaled the discovery of the left hand of the dirty glove. Lin was one step closer to unraveling the mystery, but there was still much to uncover.
"Good boy!!"
Lin commended her loyal dog for leading her in the right direction and for its unwavering help. She then extended her fingertips to the ground, tapping into her seismic sense to feel the vibrations in the environment.
Gasp!!
A gasp escaped her lips as she discovered a hidden cavity beneath her, an unexpected revelation. Her senses heightened as she detected rustling sounds around her, realizing her faithful canine companion was gone.
"Rudy?,over here boy!!" Panic set in as she attempted to escape, but suddenly, a powerful downward force of wind overcame her.
Helplessly, she was tossed about haphazardly, colliding with tree trunks, until the intense turbulence ultimately rendered her unconscious. Lin's fate hung in the balance as she succumbed to the unknown forces that had taken hold of her.
As Lin fell into unconsciousness, her world went black. However, she was soon jarred awake by a cold splash of water, leaving her drenched but otherwise unbound. She found herself in a relatively cozy environment, and the absence of ties on her wrists or ankles puzzled her.
A figure appeared before her, revealing a young boy around the age of 17. To Lin's surprise, the boy didn't conceal his face, a sign that he wasn't afraid of her. His cheerful tone greeted her, "Hello, old lady. How was your sleep?"
Lin couldn't help but be taken aback by the boy's nonchalant demeanor, given the circumstances. She was left with a mix of confusion and curiosity about the situation she now found herself in.
The boy's comment about her age stung Lin, and she reacted with a punch, though she missed her target. Swiftly, the boy evaded her attack, appearing behind her, and with a gust of airbending, he sent her crashing into the wall. Lin, weakened by the sudden assault, could only manage a breathless question, "An airbender?"
He placed a cup of tea in front of her as she lay on the floor. In a softer tone, he encouraged her to drink it, saying, "Here, drink up." Lin, still recovering from the impact, was left to contemplate her situation, unsure of what lay ahead.
As Lin was encouraged to drink her tea, a commanding voice from outside called for the arrival of a hostage, and the boy, Lyan, responded promptly.
Squatting down, Lyan looked Lin in the eyes and urged her to finish the tea. He explained, "You need to finish that tea so I can take you to the clan."
Lin, however, opted for a different course of action. She rose to her feet with the help of earthbending and rapidly armored up, clearly preparing to face off against the young airbender. The boy maintained a calm and gentle smile, but his words held a clear warning. "It's either I take you in comfort or discomfort. The choice is yours." The impending confrontation loomed, and the outcome remained uncertain.
As the sun began to rise, casting its warm light across the town square, it was early morning, and the inhabitants had gathered to witness an unusual sight. Lyan walked through the square, carrying Lin, who was restrained with metal ropes and appeared fatigued. A sense of intrigue and curiosity filled the air as people watched this unexpected procession, unsure of the circumstances that had led to this peculiar scene. The day had just begun, and for Lin and Lyan, a new chapter was unfolding, filled with questions and uncertainty.
Lyan carefully placed Lin's body beside a man who sat facing the rising sun, cradling a cup of tea in his palm. The sudden thud of Lin's arrival startled the man, but he remained composed.
Lyan received his orders from the man, and after a respectful bow, he made his exit.
Curiosity and apprehension filled Lin as she inquired, "Who are you people?"
The man responded with a calm demeanor, "This isn't about us, Lin Beifong. Don't ask how I know your name; it's because you're famous."
Lin, undeterred, pressed further, "What do you want?"
The man took a sip of his tea and replied, "I want you here by my side," leaving Lin to ponder the implications of his mysterious request.
Lin's sense of disgust was palpable as she responded, "Excuse me."
The officer, undeterred, clarified his intentions. "It's nothing negative. It's just that you can't be in the city when Zit is coming. He needs you here so he can fall."
He turned to face Lin Beifong and continued, "You and I are going to watch a beautiful view of the scorch falling from heaven."
Lin couldn't help but press for more information. "And then what?"
The man's response was unsettling, as he revealed his sinister plan with a broad, devilish smile. "Well, we'll let you go, and then the games begin." The true nature of this cryptic encounter was becoming increasingly clear, and Lin Beifong found herself trapped in a web of intrigue and danger.
As the first rays of the sun penetrated Zit's cell window, he inhaled the dusty air and felt a sense of anticipation wash over him. He smiled, realizing that his moment had arrived.
Within his cell, the tea in his cup began to boil and then swiftly evaporated. The cup itself melted in his hands as he rose to his feet, a sense of purpose guiding his actions.
With a commanding voice, Zit shouted, "Gentlemen, who is ready to fly?!" His words echoed throughout the prison, stirring his fellow inmates, and soon the entire cell was lifted high into the air, soaring above Republic City. Zit's escape had begun, and the city below was about to face a new, airborne threat.