[Az Pov, on her way out]

So long suckers. Where to land… AU. Damn, what was that… shrapnel? They don't have the artillery for that. Damn blood, can't see a thing… ouch. Ok, everything red, a bit too long. They're good, but I'm better. Now that was fun. Is that… a cut along the eye… so that spear really nearly got me. Nah, no helmet, can't see as well with a helmet… why are there still guys inside the fortress and between the walls? AH, first something to get rid of this pain.

Gather the imbalance, feel all your pain, breath in step... take in the pictue of death and destruction, where shall I paint - breath out... your burning nerves, all the energy allow it's rage to reach you breath in... ahrg so much... focus on a target... that tank, no that brat that smashed your feet... breath out, feel the energy arround you, gather it, circle she sees and struggles, too late... breath in... let the power flow, from your tortured body, the pain of the world, the energy arround you, focus on her. Realyse it, there is NOTHING you can do. You are going down. Breath out. Aim the lightning at her. Try to block this brat. Statue?!

. . .

WHAT? How can that fucking brat raise a tewenty ton statue? Less gaping get moving, jump down. Yep, they like me.

"Fall back!"

Maybe too late... What is down there? Eh… hard to tell through the fog. And that blood is irritating. Did we do that much damage? Damn, did I expect too much from them? No, that was quite the beating. Didn't get a good shot in, and these elites division melted through the rookies and harbor guard.

Ok, what did they bring… those five transporters can't carry more than five of our battle-cruisers, and they had to carry those vehicles, less than five thousand more than five hundred. Close to a thousand, so an elite division with enormous bender support… let's say 20 in each tank, same number around, 200 earth bender when 50 per division are usual. And somehow they got waterbenders, let's be pessimistic and say a hundred. All southern raiders, they risk everything, about three hundred, and two veteran companies. 800, the rest of that space for support vehicle… 200 per ship seems about right.

This little interlude cost them time and bout a hundred in death and wounded, one of the support vehicles and one crucial tank. I didn't plan sacrificing the rookies and habour guard, just wanted Ozai's guards gone, but can't be helped if they don't follow my orders. Eh with that fog some should be able to retreat.

"Fall back!"

About four companies lost, 400 infantry, 100 bender, 30 siege weapons, 10 light tanks depending on how many make it back here… at least not all casualties, quite a few wounded, some just captured. About to be expected, they lost at least 30 benders, an irreplaceable tank and about 80 of their infantry. Still can't see much. Whoa duck. They love you, best get off the walls. Ouch.

"Fall back from the walls and fortress, NOW!"

Yeah, not my cup either… a whole division here, this could hold. Maybe I should not have charged, as much fun as it was. You want to save those out there, but NOW it's too late for that. They didn't retreat on my order, but can't blame them. Fought better after the charge than I thought… probably lost more than 10%, wonder if they take prisoners or at least ignore the wounded… huh?

"Your excellence, please allow me."

Bandages, and that look… think I am down? Really?! From this much? Is... is that pity?

"Pah, I show you how it's done. Take a hot flame, preferably as hot as this, hold it to the wound."

Aah, a- and another voice in the concert of pain. Keep walking.

"See, will give a nice scar at my right eye. Give me your water."

Interesting taste, blood and ash of your enemies… I like it, just like the smell. Wonder if you can get addicted to it. For something less fun, that left needs to go back working. Just out of the joint.

"The others are just minor, flesh-wound at best. Hold tight on my left arm."

Stupid injuries have to get better at dodging. These will be quite a few pain-full hours in the hospital to remind me of that concept. Oh and getting out of this armor will be a bit difficult ... if even possible. Problems later, I'll be damned if I miss that fun. Got it? 3.2.

AHRG... aaah... anything else...feel into your body... nothing serious... except there. Concentrate... burn the spot. Fire might not have the same, but there are a few tricks to continue – IF you are willing to pay the price. So much energy and heat in your body, enough to torch, control your muscles… well it IS damn hard… What the hell was that thing again? Small, connected to stomach… is it even where it belongs? Whatever seems more or less all right. Anything else… little here, little there... how did that rock get there? Not a problem, but will be tricky to get out.

"The dock guard and first, third and fifth division are still out there."

What, that many? Nice, more than I expected…

"They SHOULD be right here right now. And you should retreat from there NOW!"

Not staring at me, follow the orders of your fire princess.

"But the general-"

"Ranks a general higher than the fire princess? DID the general conquer Ba Sing Se? Now by Agni follow my orders so I can defend the capital!"

Why don't… of course there is the problem, that stupid general. Three levels at the top, and go.

"General why are we not regrouping right now - you know the plan."

At least most parts, not the part where I execute you for your failure to keep the docks. While daddy keeps you for the politics, I won't tolerate incompetent generals in my army, even less incompetent generals that act against my authority.

"We have them right now. They will need time to break through, if they manage at all."

Yes, that IS the problem. They need to be in the pass at the very least. The aim is not just to win but to annihilate them. There is still a tiny chance they could go away if they retreat now. At least some follow my orders instead of yours.

"General, I want you to-"

Flatsch… well… there goes that problem… Nice shot.

"Incoming."

You don't say. Ah, there was something inside his head after all. You couldn't have told without that bolder.

"Colonel, take . . ."

Wait… we should not be in range, where… there. There should be a pillar. Why isn't there a pillar... that was no shot but they can't see, except that blind earth bender. Did she went for my head, no she would not have missed, if that were her aim. But then why destroy . . . oh shit.

"Earthquake"

You wish. And I was worried they would want to flee. Too late for most… another two or three companies lost…

"GET OFF THE TOWER AND WALLS! NOW! Colonel, take everyone from the walls and here as far to the right as you can. Lieutenant, take everyone else to the right."

You magnificent blind bastard, that is your doing isn't it? Cracks, slowly… there they start to understand and get moving, too little, too late. Those two might make it. I should get going too. Wonder how many will be crushed by this. On the bright side NO one will question any of my orders. Not after this. Get moving... it shakes but does not crumble.

Hah, nice try but it seems we build too good for you. A single rock... it hits. That was the critical point, wasn't it? Yep, sure was, the whole tower moves. The third floor breaks… oh the top layer now on the same level as fifth, how – two break points, one at third one at fifth level, clever. Now they panic, when it is already too late. They won't get away... faster and faster... a controlled demolition. Holy shit, they really brought down the tower. What an avalance, ten stories of fortress, hundreds of tons no even more…

What a power… There goes the gates and… two platoons, maybe three, and about twenty on this side from falling rubble. Probably a bit less on the other side... all in all just a company. Are the ones inside still alive? Hard to tell, seems like the levels below hold... out of the fight anyway, they won't get through the rubble at the exits any time soon. How many are outside... half a company. We definitely lost the remainder of our troops on the other side – what a move. Hundreds dead, even more trapped have to admit brat you are strong. Ah, the earthquake stopped. With just a bit of heat you get a nice little bang.

"FORMATION! I want a half circle lowest point RIGHT here, in front of these gates. In formation soldiers. Captain any tanks to your left, everything riding to the right. You and the colonel gather the spares and form ranks. Charge when you see a blue explosion. Left flank, further back, there will be another avalance."

Think you are already through just because the fortress is in shambles? Even with these losses we still outnumber you. You come at us without thinking and you'll be surrounded, charge through the gate and you won't make it to the eclipse.

"Take careful aim, on anything BUT these tanks. Open the gates, if they get through bring them down. Platoons beside me, scatter after the first salve, twelve through the gate, rest act as reserve to your nearest flanks."

Another rumble already… did they make it? Well for the most part we're already in formation. Ok, granted those look scary.

"Stand your ground, salve fire on my mark, after that at will."

There they come charging down not like they have a choice, with that ramp it's the best strategy, and your defense is strong. But with enough power even this formation can be hurt.

"Hold."

Better lead them through. Quite the look, I see how you could have trouble hiting anything but those tanks. With a salve even those should have some problem.

"Let's give them a warm salute. Breath. . . In. Out. In. Out. Feel it. In. Out."

In range, they start to fire. Ignore it, they can't kill you.

"In. Out. Let's go. Step, gather your fire, breath in. Step aaaand FIRE!"

Ok, three died, some long range hits, but that fireball is worth it. More than hundred fire-benders feeding into one giant attack, this is the unadulterated military style, overpower anything in your path. Magnificent, offence and devence as the giant fireball shallows your pitiful attacks. Can you survive this?

Apparently you can. Tanks block some, earth-wall and ice too, damn. At least you need to concentrate on blocking and the charge slowed down considerably.

"Fire-at-will."

There they come, wait for it. Oh, hit even as you maintain a wall and glide down, at that distance, not too bad. Pity I have all the time to act too.

/CHARGE!

Quite close already, better go on that wall... whoa. Some peasant lady is angry with me it seems.

/It's a trap.

Ah the other peasant, that boy, what was his name? Sucker something like that. Yep, but too late to stop your charge… HEY. Moving the ramp… how is that even possible?

"KILL the blind bandit!"

Ice and earth, there was enough water for this? Damn, you both are worth a company, at least. Seems the avatar had good taste in allies. But can you survive the fire?

"Kill her crazyness!"

Duck. A simple and VERY efficient strategy…. Crash… ok, they cut us in half, and concentrate on the left flank. Damn, those tanks like a wall, with true walls. Damn. You. Tiny. Brat. At this those two companies will be a loss too. AGAIN I miscalculated. Damn, I hate losing.

"CHAAARGE!"

OH no, no, you don't. If someone charges it is the fire nation. Feel it AU. Breath in – sidestep that bolder. Breath out – beat that rock away- breath in, let the armor take the hit au- HERE eat this! Swallows your little rocks! Not enough for you, not with that time to block. I'll show you suckers a charge!

"Let's rescue the colonel. CHARGE!"

Think I would hide? Think that ice is stopping ME? Just my first attack, exactly what I wanted. Hello, steam cover. Whoa, sidestep and grab that lance. Here, let me warm it for you, spin and split that guy in two before he can decapitate you with his bolder. Shoot with the elbows behind, hit? Yep, cries tell me I did. Always the same, ah reinforcements, nice jump over your opponent and bring down that leg. Oh, still there? Good shield, but that flight will still break your back or at least nock you out. Step into the gap, beat to your left, elbow the right, mark two down. Duck, bolder misses, concentrate on your fire and jump high. Afterburner hit if the cries are right. Meet ice to your left, rock to your right, both weak, bash them away. Ah shields, so you do teamwork.

"Concentrate on those before you!"

Breath in, gather with both arms, try ignore this, land, breath out and release the fire. Bam… eh stopped by too much Ice, pity. Down on the hands, below the incoming rocks, let the fire flow along your legs, torches that guy behind you and move up standing, there you are found her. Spin, block sword with bracelet the bloder with a fire ball and dodge the spear. Propell your left with fire from the elbow, break that ugly face, capture that spear with your right and heat it. THERE she is, just a bit. Pirouette with burning heel into jump. This time you're going down. AU - fucking mace.

Get. Out. Of. My. WAY! Weaklings. Ha. Fleeing? Bolder, DODGE. Too fast for you, propel – HA.

Damn, could've torched those inside that damn slug tank. Well, at least my back is covered that way. Freeze me? Please swamp man, a degree more and I would be on fire ...like ...you. Haha. Breath in. OUCH.

Get it no slow attacks in our matchup. You hit hard blind bandit but can you take a hit something too? Left, dodge hers, right blocked the second, my turn. Left, right, elbow, spin- out of my way weakling… Damn, will sink me, but in turn you get a strong flame of both hands. Won't miss you either just because you suck me into the ground… Blocked, but I got out of that trap fast, and a flame whip. HEY. Stupit fatty, I wanted to split the one BEHIND you in half. Damn not even that? Think I can't block a barrage of little rocks.

You look angry ah those emotions. Huh, that one blocked my right? Nice but bad foot work got you with my foot. Spear, not this time. Eat this. Huh, where - when in doubt jump and spin. You know I don't need to dodge against your spears? Don't interrupt your breathing, breath in, hit, surprised highest quality withstands your average spear? Breathe out – firewave, right shields.

Swords, that close, are you sure, you want that? Where is she? Eh blocking artillery. Concentrate, close, thank that neckband. Braclet, bracelet, that's what those were made for. You should have considered visirs, now you're dead. Two hit, no dodged? You won't survive. ICE? Not enough, and he flies anyway. Another three, damn it. Get your pesant sword-fighting out. Of. my. Fight. You. You. And. especially you. Eh two out of five… wait I only got four. ARGH.

HOW? Fast dodge. Yeah, looking bad most of my life was shit, it's the price of being noble. Yeah now that's more the part I like to review. Over aaaand… ha! I knew you were not fast enough to decapitate me. But still a cut in my armor…

Left, dance like an airbender, away. You're good but still far too slow. Left fire with your right, so this is where that meteroit got, close stab, out of balance? Right further back, ah you go back too. Checkmate, wrong move, jump away, hey. Damn Ice. Continue the flame, salto aaand GO DOWN! Still blocked by ICE? Oh and rock, ok. Eh. Least some cover – HA. Thought you got me, now I got ya! Breath and fire in one fluid shot. Damn, personal earth armor?! Interesting trick, move, whoa nearly tripped there. Sometimes it's the little ones that are the real killer moves.

Three on one bit much… plus goons. BLOCKED? Damn, not enough time for that guy, have to counter the ice and bolder. Where do you come from, command your rag tag group will ya? Shit, block AU – I and Piandao will have words about taking enemy as disciples. Sloppy footwork, here, trip and now you are dead.

DAMN IT! Get that dirt off of me. No, you won't trap me here. HYA! Ha, yes dodge, but it won't help this time, because this is not a fire ball but a wave. HEY. Dumb goon, dumb shield, yeah it is strong enough to withstand. But know what? Your face is unprotected from my breath. He, melt his face, and you're too slow. Ice, no water... damn I am burning?

Sure am, will take a bit till I've got the technique down. Hurts, but at least stopped my bleeding, was getting a bit worried about that. Here, something special just for you water pesant, a flame sword to match those Ice spears. More than match, won't be able to keep it up. Freezing my feet won't help you, just one more and you're dead. AU. Fucking Au Brat. Au. Red. Au. tribesmen. AU. Recruits and tribesmen Au. Stop. Was there a AU. Stopped… dark. Damn ringing. Hey red, just blood, didn't pierce my eyes, good.

"PRINCESS"

Do I look like ammunition to you? I can't see… ah now. Oh, the last three were our guys. Hmm, you do have a point. This armor makes for good amunition, maybe I'll fire myself off from one of the catapults, or ride on one of the shots.

"We GOT her!"

Wait, alredy did that to get out last time.

*Hehehe.*

Suppose it looks like it, with all that blood and dead bodies around me. Stand up, ah, stings a little. Damn, why is it so hard to stand up? Move. Why did they stop the fighting? That strange to see someone stand up? MOVE body, there is so much to do. If you won't move I'll use energy bending. What are you staring at? That's it, a bit energy right in the muscles, bit heat in the armor. See, moving. Left, ri- damit, grab the .

"THINK THAT'S ENOUGH?"

I'll show you! Fly. Lightning, you're already using it, gather it, breath out, bit harder while flying, but by the gods this is fun. Heck I feel like a godess. Breath, ouch, well lost control. Oh hit one of your vessels instead. Look at them, oh this is hilarious.

"HAHAHAHA"

Ok, again, gather… breath in, spears, damn release. Won't get me this time… DAMN. Shit, BIG bolder, quick punch through! Not gonna make it… go with it. SHIT. That's the wrong direction. Away from the fight… Damn it, I want to continue . . . This thing's going far. Eh, we got them good, they crushed our flank, but our charge freed most, now they are fighting the other one. Need to pull back soon. Ok, descending, hmm… my fire is baerly slowing down, I should rather try steer this thing somewhere a little softer than bedrock. The mud there looks soft enough. This will hurt again, won't it?