A crackle of lightning could be heard from behind the giant cloth screen. Several members of the audience rose from their seats, all adorning masks resembling those used by the Equalists during the First Revolution. As these individuals rose as one, a bolt of lightning burned a whole through the screen, striking the projector in the back of the theater. The room fell under a blanket of darkness. Quiet murmurs among the audience soon grew into panicked cries for help, however, it was no use. The soundproof room had deafened any sound attempting to escape.
The darkness was soon pierced by small balls of fire, lining either side of the front of the theater. Behind each ball of flame was a masked face. Each of these Firebenders stood still, acting as ominous lights. A row of Earthbenders stood in front of the giant screen.
From behind the curtain stepped out a tall, slender woman. She wore a black cape, and a mask that covered her entire face, only leaving small slits for her mouth and eyes. It looked old and worn, and appeared to have been originally fitted for a man. The woman walked with a purpose, and that purpose was to draw all eyes to her. She stopped once in the front of the room, turning to address the entirety of the theater.
"My fellow citizens of Republic City. As you all know, a certain serum has been developed to artificially reproduce bending. This has long been a source of conflict among our city. When on their own, the four elements are strong. When combined, they are unstoppable. The Avatar is a living testament to that fact. For thousands of years, the Avatar has lived hundreds of lives promoting balance, peace, equality. The Avatar simply used their superior abilities to bully others into submission. History has proven that the Avatar simply intervenes when it is fortunate for them. Unfortunately for us non-benders, we now pose a serious threat to the Avatar's sacred 'balance.' Today, I am here to show you all that we need not be afraid of the Avatar anymore, for we have leveled the playing field a bit.
"I believe the Avatar has graciously made himself present today." The woman paused to search the crowd, spotting the Avatar. "Yes, there he is. Avatar Kazuki. Capable of bending all four elements, yes? Previously, the Avatar had been the only one able to accomplish such a feat. As of today, this is no longer the case." The woman demonstrated, throwing a fireball into the air, followed by a wind blast. She bent a puddle of water from a canister on her side, letting it fall before her. The earth quaked as a section of the theater's ground was tossed to the side.
"My brothers, sisters, the Avatar has come to Republic City in order to put a stop to us gaining our equality. Do we not deserve it? Are we lesser beings simply because it is not our birthright to bend? Join me as I lead us into a new age. An age of true equality. The revolution has begun!"
Rinzen
Rinzen looked up, noticing a tap on her shoulder. "Huh? Oh, yes- I mean, no. It's not." She pulled her knees up to allow the boy into the seat next to her. The boy had come in several minutes late, and the seat next to her was about the only one available. She returned her attention back to the mover.
Rinzen jumped as the lightning shot through the projection. She sat there, frozen as the mysterious woman revealed herself and began her speech. She watched in awe as the woman demonstrated her capabilities that rivaled the Avatar's own, who was apparently in the theater at the moment. She could hear a mixed response of cheers and boos coming from the crowd around her. Surely, this was not natural. The theater soon erupted in chaos. Rocks, ice, fire, and a whole myriad of other elements were being thrown around the room. Dozens of people ran from the theater in a panic. Rinzen stayed behind. She defended herself from stray rocks as the theater emptied out, eventually leaving less than a dozen others in the room.
The mysterious woman stood at the front, watching the chaos. It was impossible to decipher her emotions, given the mask that she wore. Was she content to just sit and watch as the theater fell into chaos? Perhaps that was her plan, after all. Rinzen rose from her seat in order to leave the theater, and found that it was entirely blocked off by the masked Earthbenders. She was trapped inside, along with several others.