"Master Shenmi, we are ready to begin the attack." Those simple words meant utter devastation for thousands, but to Wei Shemmi it was music to his ears. A strange smile crept its way across the young commanders face, a mix of delight and euphoria. Wei looked out over the trees that had come to be his home. In the distance he could see the tents of the fire nation in their brilliant crimson and sanguine. Just outside the city of Omashu, a perfect target already marked in the color of the blood that was about to be spilled there. The tides had turned. "El tiempo es ahora," he said solemnly, and with those words he condemned the fates of many fire nation soldiers to something darker than simple blood shed.
*In Omashu*
A shadow swept its way through the streets unnoticed, just another shade in the valley of shadows that comprised the lower side of the city. Xi Jing Ping moved swiftly through the dirt, but he never raised a foot once. It was as if the ground itself was moving him. He slipped quickly through the lower city and headed towards the gates. He had heard news of fire benders coming to Omashu, and he was motivated by more than mere curiosity to pay them a visit. "MIS REPOLLOS," came a sudden scream. Turning slowly, but with all the strength of the tectonic plates, Ping saw that the cabbage cart was on fire, along with half the buildings on that side of the street. Chaos had broken out and the fire benders were wreaking havoc as freedom fighters attacked. Ping carefully considered his options then hurled a rock across the street at a red clad soldier. "El tiempo es ahora," he whispered to himself just as the rock slammed into the soldier's body.
*Docks of Omashu*
Faded red garments were drooped across the shoulders of a man with a far away look in his eye. All he seemed to see was fire, despite the sea he had just crossed. Lin Bang had just deserted his family, marked his father, and left his homeland. The fire nation may seem mighty to foreigners, but internally its rigid structure and unforgiving home life was no consolation for the power they posses. After years in that dreadful place, Lin left capital city and its sparkling embers behind. He had decided it was time for him to light his own fires from now on. As he disembarked from the long journey by boat he smelt the familiar smell of smoke in the air, as homey and unwelcome as ever. If there were fire benders in Lin's way of an escape from brutal laws, than there were going to bodies left behind him. Once the flames were in view he saw them as a challenge and made his own in response with a matching ferocity. "El tiempo es ahora," he grunted grimly before rushing the nearest guard.
*The City gates*
Tradition, focus, meditation, tranquility, it was too much for the air bender to bear. Ung Lang had spent her life in the Northern Air Temple and was sick of the ridiculous methods and silence that came with temple living. There were stories, brought by the air bison, of a change in the wind. Rampaging fire that devastated lands, water that drowned islands, and earth that spewed lava. All Lang wanted was a taste of that destruction. To experience peace, one must go through war. If enlightenment is to truly be reached, than adventure and danger are the only way to achieve it. One air bison joy ride and a fan to fly by later, she was as free as the wind. The nearest city of Omashu had gates that were nearly abandoned by the time Lang arrived, but the fight was not over yet. Small skirmishes were being fought here and there, but the real battle was in the field of crimson tents. "El tiempo es ahora," she smirked as she glided into battle ready to fan the flames.