Part 2/9:
With the absence of the Avatar, the Fire Phoenix Empire, led by Fire Lord Soan, seizes the opportunity for conquest. An Earthbender from the Earth Kingdom is on the run, pursued by the Empire’s soldiers. Knowing he cannot escape, he sends vital information back to the Earth King before he is ultimately captured. Unbeknownst to them, this action plays directly into the Empire's strategy to divert the attention of the other nations to the Earth Kingdom while they hunt down the next Avatar.