Two weeks before the Avatar was to launch the final battle against Fire Lord Ozai, a young man who had seen his fair share of death and battle, sat with his First Lieutenant. He peered through the forest foliage to see tents of all colors flapping in the winds some hundred feet before the cliff. The Avatar and his friends were peering at the site of the soon-to-be battle. The man hidden in the shadows was dressed in the garb of an Earth soldier with his straw hat brim below his forehead; covering his eyes and nose, but yet, the form of him as a Fire Bender was unmistakable. In a soft voice he told his First Lieutenant hidden in the shade, "Round up the men, see if we can do something for the Avatar. Also, tell them to wait for my signal. Have them ready to march in with all preparations."
"Awwww, but I want to be the diplomat" whined back a voice.
"The man replied chuckling, "This time, you won't work First Lieutenant. They'll probably think you're playing a prank. No, we need me to give the show of force." A rustle was the reply the unknown man got.
Sokka stood, peering at the colors of the Earth and Water flags. He stood looking impassively at the tents and the bustle and hustle of the soldiers. He sighed. In total, there were 400 men, both water and earth, ready to fight. Yet, according to reconnaissance reports, the Fire Bending soldier defending the outer surroundings, not including the Plaza itself which would need to be taken, amounted to about 600. True, Sokka had received the submarines and tanks from the Mechanic, there were water vessels from the northern and southern ready to fight, but submarines and ships were only as good as far as the sea went and the Plaza was an hour's hard march away. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, more will come. There are still two weeks for others to hear our call." said Katara, ever Sokka's faithful sister and optimist.
"I wish I could say that, but the General Kinrad of the Earth already assured me that this was that he had and that half of them had been picked up along the way here. General Oisu of the Northern Water tribe also said that they had already sent all their men." Sokka paused. "What we need are men that are not too old, yet not too young as a raw recruit. We need veterans that are still young enough to wield a sword. I don't know. If we fought today, we would most likely only be a suicide attack.
"Sir!" cried a young Earth Bending soldier. Sokka's ears perked up.
"Yes?" Sokka replied inquisitively.
"There is an Earth Bender that wishes to talk to the Council of War."
"The Council of War? Why would he require such a high level meeting?"
"He says that what he has is of upmost importance and that it could change the tide of battle."
Sokka gritted his teeth, annoyed at the fact that he would need to summon all the generals back right after the meeting had ended. "Alright. Bring him over. I'll interrogate him" The soldier immediately left.
"Interrogate?" Katara said with a smile.
"Who knows? He might be dangerous or important if what he says is true and I shouldn't trouble the generals with another meeting."
End of Chapter 1.