Hey guys! So I made a mistake earlier, where I uploaded what was supposed to be chapter 5 as chapter 4. THIS is the real chapter 4. This chapter just kinda is a transition between leaving Air Temple Island and arriving at the Earth Kingdom. It also introduces the idea of spirits in this plot. Anyways, for those who read the Chapter 5, sorry about that.
The sky was streaked with orange and gold when the team prepared to take off for the Earth Kingdom. Tenzin had decided to bring two sky bison: Oogi and Lefty. Lefty would carry the supplies, with Kai riding, while Oogi would transport the people. The team loaded Lefty, bid farewell to Pema and Rohan, and flew for the Earth Kingdom.
Kai flew alone on Lefty, isolated from the others. It was an hour past noon, but Kai had yet to speak a word. Even Lefty noticed his lack of praise from his master. The companion growled in concern, but Kai's only response was a sigh. He could think of nothing except for his broken promise—to never return to the Earth Kingdom. Apprehension veiled him during the entire flight while his thoughts pounded his head until it hurt. How are they gonna react? Do they even remember me? Kai simply had no idea what was coming, and a pit in his stomach formed at the thought of that. Despite that, he'd go, if not for Yung and Daw, then certainly for Jinora.
Meanwhile, Jinora tried to keep her mind focused on the conversation with Lin and Opal, instead of the charming airbender boy whom she turned down the night before. She could only try to not think about his charismatic smile, try to not glance over at him with pity, try to not blush at the thought of him. Snap out of it! She thought. Jinora shook her head and refocused on Lin.
"There's something strange about this letter they sent us. It's almost as if he's challenging us, but not exactly like that." Lin explained while rereading the letter.
"Maybe they want a ransom?" Opal offered.
"I've seen dozens of ransom letters in my work, but this just isn't typical." Lin replied.
"Guys! We're here!" Jinora announced as she pointed towards the town.
Kai heard from across the bison. He looked over his shoulder and squinted his eyes: the sight was worse than he thought. Black smoke crept towards the sky, an indication that electricity wasn't working anymore; the railroad leading into the town had been obliterated, fragments of steel strewn across the plateau, almost as if it had exploded; buildings had begun to crumble and erode, as if they were entering the last stage of their life. The town sat at the foothills of a monstrous mountain—which even appeared to stare at Kai somberly. Adjacent to town were small hills, the only green in an otherwise barren landscape.
A chill crept up Kai's back. Kai's thoughts were suddenly brought to his time, or many times, on the street: he remembered the cold, rainy nights he'd spend behind dumpsters, remembered the afternoons he'd spend hiding from angry shop-owners or citizens who he'd scammed, remembered the complete lack of trust he had in anyone, remembered the resentment he held towards every orphanage or family that had kicked him out.
His thoughts were interrupted by a powerful gust in his face. After regaining his composure, Kai realized it was Oogi who was descending down to the hills blow. Kai tugged Lefty's reins, instructing his bison to do the same.
Shortly, the two bison landed, weary from the flight. The team began unpacking and setting up camp. Kai and Jinora avoided eye contact, still uncomfortable with the event from the previous night. However, there was something else that seemed to bother the young master.
"What's wrong Jinora?" Opal asked.
"Something about this place is off…At least spiritually…I can't seem to feel the presence of any spirits." Jinora stated perplexed.
"They probably abandoned this place shortly after the Earth Kingdom fell into chaos, just like the governor of this town." Tenzin explained.
"Doesn't surprise me. The governor never really cared about his people; all he did was make empty promises—like how he promised he'd solve the orphan crisis. The spirits probably gave up on this place, and I don't blame them." Kai added in curtly.
The team froze at sudden comment by Kai but soon brushed it off and continued their work. After Tenzin set up telecommunications and sent a message to Pema, he faced the rest.
"It's time…Kai, lead the way."
Okay, so I hope that chapter was alright! Again, sorry for the mixup.