Strange what's goes through a person's mind when they are in the middle of doing something. Free climbing one of 6,000 ft peeks of the blue and yellow purple mountain range of Vacco. Luckily it wasn't close to Master Hunter Ham Sam, Tai flashbacked to when Old Man Beecher's golden palomino nearly killed him.
About six, he decided to borrow that palomino for a ride. About midnight, he rode his bicycle about six miles. After a three hour ride, he reached Old Man Beecher's farm. Hiding his bike, he studied his first problem. Judgmental, the old man's watch dog, the type that would rip the limps off a foolish six year old, had a weakness for peanut butter and strawberry bubblegum.
Pulling several peanut butter balls, he tossed near them close to Judgmental's pin. Before Judgmental could wolf down the treats, Tai headed towards a tree near the chicken coop which was at the rear and center of the fenced off area. Climbing up a tree near the chicken coop, his fingers clasped around a branch that hung over the coop. Shimming until he was over the roof of the coop, he dropped landing onto the roof with a soft thud. Hugging the slated rooftop, he waited for a reaction. Nothing.
Studying the distance between the coop, he slowly stood up. Crouching, he leaped over the wire fence landing on his stomach. Need to work on that landing strategy. Getting his breath, he went to his knees. He worked his way towards the barn. Slowly he unbolted the barn door. In the stable on the right, he stared at the golden palomino. It was bigger than he thought. Picking the padlock, he swung the gate door open. Using the railing to climb onto the palomino, it bolted off with Tai hanging onto its mane.
Heading towards the fence, it jumped the fence. Tai fell off. Unconscious claimed him.
Reaching the summit, Tai moved his way behind a boulder. Study the bandit's camp layout, he saw the equalization of Judgmental. Taking out the sentry, he put on the sentry's coat and hat. He wondered if this was her bandit tribe.
Avoiding eye contact, he headed towards the wrecked Manta. From his vantage point, he saw a suspended cage. It seems it contend a person. Searching the wreckage, he found a parachute and a flare.
Using the brush as cover, he made way to the wooden cage.
"Psst. Psst," brought the young pilot's attention onto Tai.
"They didn't tell me there were survivors," whispered Tai unsheathing Krull, "Where's the bomb?"
The pilot indicated towards the tent on the rocky incline.
Twisting Krull, "Here," tossing one of the curved blades towards the cage.
The pilot pulled the blade from wooden bar.
Placing the blade in his satchel bag, "That's should keep you busy."
Turning to leave, he stopped.
"Oh, yes. Would like that back," leaving.
Waiting for guard to turn the corner of the tent, Tai pulled a stake free allowing him to slide under the tent flap before the guard turned the corner. Staring at the bomb, he recalled how he surprised how huge that palomino was and how sweat soaked his shirt.
Removing his tool kit from his satchel bag, he unscrewed the cover with a hex key. Placing a square metal plate under the guidance system, he lifted plate out. Snipping the wire, he set off the timer to self-destruction. Getting a wire stripper, he removed the plastic cover. Wrapping the bare wire around a paperclip, he inserted the end of the clip into motherboard. The timer stopped allowing him to sigh. Placing his tools plus the motherboard into his satchel bag, he had to retrieve the pilot. First, rig a distraction.
Placing a stick the trigger guard, he rested the stick onto the branches of two scrubs. Using bungie cords, he suspended the rifle couple feet from the rocky surface. Applying a flame to a book of matches, he slid it under rubber band. Now, time to retrieve the pilot.
Noticing the pilot finished her project, "Wait," he whispered. The flame cut the cord causing the rifle to bounce up and down. The stick pressed the trigger causing shots to ring through the summit.
Watching the troops head towards the source of the shots, "Now," he said sprinting towards the freed pilot.
Returning his blade to his satchel, Tai tackled a troop who bringing up the rear.
Taking the unconscious troop's rifle, they ran only for bullets to sail past them. The decoy got found faster than planned. Getting behind a boulder, Tai fired a few shots to keep their pursuers honest.
"Here," he said handing the rifle to the pilot.
Letting a few rounds, her ears detected a metallic pounding beside her.
"What are you doing?" she asked watching Tai pounding a rock against the barrel of the flare gun.
"Making a thruster," he answered.
Click. Click. Click. Out of ammo. The pilot watched Tai stand at the edge of the summit with his back to the empty air. Motioning her to join him, he wrapped his arms around her. Her arms wrapped over his arms.
Pressing the trigger sent off the summit. Despite her time flying, she closed her eyes. The rush of falling got replaced by the sudden jerk of Tai's parachute being deployed.
Looking up at her rescuer, "Name's Tifa Truehart. Yours?"
"Taiyang. Taiyang Xiao Long."
Waking up, he saw his dad staring down at him.
"Had an interesting midnight ride, son?" asked his dad.
"Yes," groaned Tai.
"Well, son, it seems you're going to work rest of the summer for Old Man Beecher to work off that restlessness energy of yours."