VIII. The March
The following two weeks were devoted to preparation for the Fire Nation army. Zuko assembled his contribution of ten thousand troops, fully armed and able to fight. Then came the day of departure, ten large iron air ships arrived at the shore to carry the army towards the Black Gate. Sokka dressed Appa in gold and red armor, Appa would carry Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Suki, Zuko, and Mai. Iroh, Jeong Jeong, Piandao, and the remaining Kyoshi warriors would travel with the fleet. They would rendezvous outside the Black Gate. With preparations complete the team departed for Mordor.
The bison carried them by air, which lasted for another two weeks until they reached the Emyn Muil ravine, close to the Dead Marshes. Aang and his company journeyed on Appa but had to disembark in the ravine because of his exhaustion. Now they had to go on foot through the jagged gorge of the Emyn Muil to the Dead Marshes until they arrive at Mordor. After three days of climbing and walking the team was able to make it out of the Emyn Muil. Since they were out of there, they progressed through the Dead Marshes.
The marshes were covered in fog and stunk of corpses. Flames(Candles) were lit throughout the marshes marking where a dead body and soul lay. While they were walking Sokka stepped in the water and his foot landed close to a dead body. When he saw what he had stepped close to he freaked out and ran as fast as he could away from it.
"Stay away from the flames and bodies!" Zuko warned. "If you look into the eyes of the dead, their souls will drag you in to join them!"
Once this was spoken everyone avoided the bodies, shaking and sweating nervously.
"Why did we have to come through here?!" Sokka blurted out.
"Sorry, but Appa still needs a break from flying all these people." Aang explained.
Appa grumbled in agreement.
"Is it really worth traveling through a haunted swamp?" Sokka complained.
Suki pointed out, "Arguing is not going to make this any easier."
Mai pinched her nose, "Nor is it going to make the stench go away!"
After a day's journey they rested and made camps clear of any lights. Everyone attempted to sleep but could not due to the feeling of death around them. After several hours all managed to find sleep except Aang who sat facing the red sky of Mordor. The cries of lightning and thunder could be heard in the distance. The more their journey progressed, the more intimidating it seemed. Katara awoke from a light sleep. She noticed Aang awake, got up, and sat beside him.
"Aang." Said Katara. "Why are you awake? You should be asleep. You need your strength."
"How can I sleep when I have to fight an enemy that is possibly stronger than any Avatar. Besides even if I do defeat Sauron in battle how would I deal with him? You know that I've never been able to bring myself to kill anyone."
"If I recall you slew that one orc by breaking his neck during the attack back in the Fire Nation."
"I panicked. I merely wanted to stop his attack. The monks taught me all life is sacred. That was my whole reason for not killing Ozai in the first place."
Katara put her hand on his shoulder. "Aang. I share your belief that all life is sacred... but the creatures of Sauron seem to have souls so black and full of hate. Wouldn't killing them be somewhat of a mercy in a way?"
Aang paused. "No! That can't be the only solution. If Sauron is able to die I can't bring myself to killing him. And I can't take his powers away! So what am I supposed to do?"
"Aang calm down." She held him closer to her. "I believe you'll know what to do when the time comes."
She kissed him on the cheek and went back to sleep. Eventually sleep overtook Aang.
The next morning the team mounted Appa, ascended, and flew to the black wall that marked the end of the Dead Marshes and at the top would be the entrance of Mordor. When they elevated high enough they saw that the Fire Nation troops who traveled by air were assembled and the air ships hovered above to await a command. From the right side of the road came soldiers and benders of the Water Tribe and the Earth Kingdom who were ready to fight. A few minutes passed until all of them were fully assembled together. The front line was comprised of a cavalry of mounted troops from each nation on ostrich-horses and komodo-rhinos. Earthbenders stood behind them, then at their heels were waterbenders and warriors, and their rear was taken up by a long row of a eighty Fire Nation tanks. Lastly, firebenders held the rear. Ten Fire Nation airships formed a line on the ground along the army of thirty thousand benders and warriors had finally come together to fight their common enemy.
Cheers sounded from below once the army had caught sight of Appa. Although, the cheers were drowned out of the team's senses as they set their eyes on the Black Gate of Mordor. A massive black iron gate that stood between two mountain passes. The gate resembled a closed mouth of a beast. It had two high towers on the top: Carchost(Red-Tooth) and Narchost(Fire-Tooth). They were known as the Towers of the Teeth overseeing the Black Gate.
Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Zuko, Suki, and Mai landed in front of the army, where they were joined by Iroh, Jeong Jeong, Piandao, Pakku, King Bumi, Chief Hakoda, and the Kyoshi warriors. With their army of the nations assembled all that was left to do was to wait for the enemy to arrive.
"Oh good! You've arrived!" blurted out Ty Lee of the Kyoshi warriors as she embraced Mai and Suki.
"So, is this everyone that each of you brought?" asked Aang.
"Yes." Pakku said calmly. "Each nation has made its contribution of soldiers as promised and are ready to stand together as one."
"All right!" Boasted Toph. "We're ready for you Sauron, come on out!"
"Toph!" Exclaimed Zuko. "Don't be arrogant."
"Lighten up for once Zuko." Suki smiled through her white face paint. "Everyone here is fully prepared to fight. Victory may yet be possible."
"Perhaps." Iroh spoke. "But my nephew is right. For right now, we are the only ones who have assembled. The enemy is most likely on their way as we speak."
A few minutes passed and nothing happened. Soldiers within the army were growing impatient with the waiting; especially Sokka and Toph.
"Will they... HURRY UP ALREADY!" Sokka shouted.
A loud creaking noise sounded from the gate, breaking the silence. Then a more powerful sound out ruled the gate's creaking and made all other's heart sink. Booms from war drums, roars of beasts, and the sound of a horn came from behind the Towers of the Teeth. Each drum beat made Aang's heart beat with fear. Finally, the Black Gate opened up and out came the vicious army of Mordor. Thousands upon thousands of orcs poured from the black land, armed with various types of weapons: swords, axes, maces, spears, and any other kind of crude iron weapon. Their armor and shields were also varied amongst the horde. Within the army were the dark men known as easterlings. Armored in red garbs and bronze metal spikes, wielding three-foot long steel scimitars and nine-foot polearms fitted with curved, serrated blades at the outer edges. For defence they bore curved rectangular shields with concave top and bottom edges and at the center was a gold diamond. One of the three types of men that serve Sauron that also appeared were the corsairs. They were armed with assorted weapons and armor as well. Although their true strength lied with naval attacks, they would be just as formidable on land. Innumerable banners were held high, orcs held black cloths that bore the Eye of Sauron and the easterlings bore red triangular cloths also showing the Eye of Sauron with a serpent underneath it. One after another the servants of Sauron came through the Black Gate.
Although they stood their ground, the benders and warriors of the Water Tribe, Earth Kingdom, and Fire Nation were filled with fear.
"Uh Toph, how many do they have?" Sokka trembled.
Toph was stone cold. "It's impossible to get an exact count. I feel so many heavy footsteps that are causing my senses to be blurry. I believe that their numbers are in the hundreds of thousands!"
"WHAT?! Hundreds of thousands?! But we only have thirty thousand!" Sokka hung over, like he was already admitting defeat. "We're doomed!"
"Well, you wanted them to come and here they are," sighed Mai.
The hordes of the enemy began to form up. A large cavalry of warg riders were in the front. The wargs were large wolf like creatures that drooled for the taste of blood. Although bad tempered, the wargs were disciplined to their orc riders. The thousands of orcs soldiers halted their march, glaring at the army of the nations with their poisonous yellow eyes, their rotten teeth bared, and those whose faces were shown scowled with hate. Orc archers gathered at the top of the gate and on the hill sides. An army of hundreds of thousands of horrible creatures unleashed their terrible battle cries that sounded all over.
From behind the warg riders came the white, misshapen orc general Gothmog on a warg. His left eye was swollen by his face, his yellow fangs were crooked, and his left arm was crunched tightly to his torso. Next came the menacing Mouth of Sauron on his black steed; his stone depiction back in the Fire Nation was completely accurate. Although, his cut up mouth and bloody teeth were far worse sights to behold in person. Finally, came the former Phoenix King, Ozai on another black steed, armored in black steel and tunic with a red eye on his chest plate, and a cape hung on his back. The leaders of Sauron's army rode to the front and stopped to gaze at Aang and his friends with evil grins. Now both armies had assembled and it was just a matter of time before one of them fights first.
The leaders of Sauron's army, the Mouth of Sauron, Gothmog, and Ozai approached without any bodyguards. Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Zuko, Suki, Mai, and the rest of the leaders walked from their army as well. They met one another between both armies.
"Our master, Sauron the Great bids thee welcome." said the Mouth of Sauron.
Ozai spoke, "It has been some time, son, brother."
"Indeed little brother," answered Iroh. "You seem to have fixed yourself up since the last time I saw you in your prison cell."
Ozai grinned. "That and more. The Dark Lord has granted me a chance in redeeming myself."
Sokka laughed, "What use does he have for a washout like you! Loser Lord!"
Ozai reached back with his right palm and blasted a ball of fire at Sokka. Sokka's moon and ocean breastplate was scorched as he fell to the ground. Hokoda drew his whale tooth sword and Katara unloosed her water pouch. Though their eyes had played a trick on them. Ozai was supposed to be powerless. Aang had taken away his bending when they fought, yet he bent flame again.
"You... you bent again!" exclaimed Aang.
"A chance for redemption from Lord Sauron!" Ozai chuckled. "What you did to me in the past, Avatar, will not help you today. I am once again one of the most powerful firebenders in the world! When the battle begins, I will show no mercy in my revenge."
"Don't get over confident Ozai," warned Iroh. "Your overconfidence will only lead to your downfall."
"Strong words coming from an old tea-loving imbecile."
Zuko barked, "Aang doesn't stand alone this time father! You better watch yourself before making a threat."
"And you, my soft hearted son, have ruined our nation. After years of worship of the Dark Lord, you spat in his eye when you joined with the Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom."
"I just figured that he wasn't a figure worthy of worship in times of peace," Zuko stated.
"Well I shall..."
"... Silence Ozai!" the Mouth of Sauron growled. "We are here to offer one last negotiation. But I promise you, if they do not go our way, then you will be free to burn our enemies to ash as much as you want."
Ozai obeyed and held his tongue.
"Negotiations?" asked Hakoda.
"Yes, you have gathered up your own strength as we have ours. But I can see how you do not wish for your troops to die a fruitless battle. A weakness that can be exploited. Surely you must see that there is no hope for any of you if you fight. Only death."
"Then we'll be sure to prove you wrong scum!" Answered Zuko.
"Man filth!" Gothmog snarled. "Do you not see what kind of an enemy you are up against? You are hopelessly outnumbered and outmatched. You have come to your doom!"
"We may be out numbered." Replied Aang. "And possibly out matched. But we have something worth fighting for... our freedom."
"Freedom is but a mere dream that will be swallowed by the darkness," the Mouth of Sauron stated.
"Without freedom there is no peace!" spoke Iroh.
"Besides we have the Avatar, master of all four elements." Boasted Sokka. "I doubt your army can hold their own in this battle."
Gothmog's warg growled at Sokka who then backed away.
"Don't be a fool," Ozai said. "It's true that the Avatar is powerful, but you are merely a vessel of the spirits of people who have fought and died all the same. The Dark Lord is a divine being, whose origin began long before man settled upon this earth! He began as an immortal spirit. A god among those in his company. He is far beyond you!"
Katara did not quiver. "I have faith in Aang. He will defeat your master and you will die!
The Mouth of Sauron's bloody mouth bared its teeth in frustration and hate.
"Bold words coming from a little hag!" Insulted the Mouth of Sauron. "Fortunately for you our master is willing to bargain with you. Here are his conditions: Surrender and have your army return home. Place Ozai in command of the Fire Nation so they can once again resume their worship of the master. Each town of all the nations will be kept alive but they must pay tribute. They are not to oppose us and are to work in labor for Mordor. As for you Avatar. You need only subject yourself to Lord Sauron. Agree to these terms and you may live to see another sunrise."
Aang stepped closer to him.
"There will be no deal! We'll never bargain with the likes of you!"
The dark lieutenant bared his bloody teeth.
"Then little worm... you face... Obliteration!"
With that Ozai, Gothmog, and The Mouth of Sauron rode away back to their side laughing in a cruel manner. Then Aang and his companions turned to walk back to their army.
