Chapter 13

Kai pushed the door open fast enough to be quick, but slow enough so he could stop it if he was going to hit someone with it. As the door swung wider he was able to see inside.

Inside the cell he saw blood, dirt, vomit, spit, urine, shit, and much more. However what caught his eye was the girl lying face down in the back corner dressed in, well not even rags was a proper description of it, more like the remains of a gilder suit that had been patched with rags over the more private areas.

He walked over and noticed she wasn't moving. Her hair was matted and tangled, dirty and dry, burnt and splitting. Her body hadn't fared much better, bruises, scars, open wounds, infected sores, and a very boney frame.

He finally reached the girl and rolled her over, he was greeted with a face he hadn't seen in years. Before he got excited though he realized how pale she was, he immediately checked to see if she was breathing and had a pulse. Her breathing was shallow and her pulse was waning.

He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder in a fireman carry, taking care not to hurt her worse. As he completed that he looked around the room and checked it for anything he missed, nothing.

He walked out of the room and came face to face with Mako. Kai had no words, his face however, said it all. "Let's go." Mako stated not knowing what else to do.

Kai nodded and began jogging towards the exit with Mako in front and Jing behind.

15 minutes earlier

"Sir a Fire Navy ship approaching the island, along with landing craft!" A Dai Li agent informed his CO.

"Shit." The superior spoke under his breath. "Set-up defenses along the beach and lock down the tunnels at every intersection that is within 500 feet of an entrance." He spoke curtly, but confidently.

"Yes, sir!" The underling spoke and quickly ran off to inform the commanders and captains.

"You." The general pointed to a sergeant. "Inform Colonel Lee that the prisoner is to be beat to near death. Understood." The general didn't ask questions when he gave out orders, it was a statement that the sergeant should understand or be punished harshly.

"Yes sir!" The sergeant quickly left to inform the colonel.

"Yes, I will make sure she is nearly dead, but not quite." Colonel Lee told the sergeant who scurried off.

"You heard him, open the door!" The colonel commanded as he grabbed a whip.

The metal door swung open as the guards unlocked the mechanism that held it closed. After it was fully opened the colonel walked in.

"What do you want." Jinora spoke flatly

"You don't know?!" The colonel pretended to sound hurt. "It is torture time!" He raised a finger in the air to emphasize the importance.

"Oh my bad, I thought it was breakfast." Jinora pretended to sound sincere, even though she had been tortured she had kept an attitude more in line with her grand-mother.

"After this you won't want breakfast for a few days." The colonel stated with an evil grin.

"What do yo-" *WHACK* Jinora was hit by a rock in the head and knocked unconscious.

"That will teach you…bitch" The colonel finally had authority to almost kill her. Enough of the bullshit, just get to it. He thought.

The whip cracked over and over and over again on Jinora's frail frame, leaving marks and gashes all across her back, as well as shredding what little material still made up her clothes.

After 5 minutes of pure rage induced brutality the colonel left, telling his men to leave her alone.

Back to the present

As the small group headed to the extraction point they found they were making great progress, only a few agents had found themselves to be unlucky enough to end up in the crosshairs.

Unfortunately upon reaching the extraction point they ran into major issue.

Standing in between them and the group left to cover the exit was a tall, strong, and very skilled earth who had 5 others beside him. The man wore a very distinct uniform that everyone knew, it was the uniform of the Obsidian Warriors, and his rank markings showed he was capable, a colonel.

No one had seen a single Obsidian Warrior for at least 50 years, in fact the last remaining one from the war had supposedly died 55 years ago, but this man looked to be in his late 40's and fought like the stories told; brutally with no mercy, there was a reason they had come within inches of killing Fire Lord Sozin.

Now however they had to fight their way out, legends and rumors didn't matter anymore, facts did. And the facts said that they were up shit's creek without a paddle and a sinking boat.

"Mako take Jin and get out of here." Kai told his friend

"What about you?" Mako asked

"Don't worry about me." He replied

"Fine, but if you don't come back I will personally come back, revive you and kill you again myself!" Mako threatened

"Works for me." Kai shrugged as he handed Jinora over and took off to the far side of the chamber.

Luckily for Mako and Jing they had been unnoticed by everyone, allies included, so they decided to wait for Kai to cause a distraction and then make their move.

Kai silently snuck across the room completely opposite of Mako's trio. He was also lucky as the dust and debris thrown up by the battle gave him the perfect attack route, directly behind the enemy.

He quickly, but silently, ran up behind the colonel. The colonel's skills and experience wouldn't matter in this fight, Kai had complete and utter surprise.

As Kai got within range for a quick takedown he pulled out a dual-bladed-serrated knife about 9 inches long and made his move.

Time slowed for the older man as he felt an arm reach around him and pulled him back. Before anyone knew what had happened Kai had sunk the knife into the man's neck and slit his throat, blood going everywhere.

Slowly everyone realized what happened, and Kai's allies quickly, and swiftly, retaliated with massive force, quickly subduing or killing the other 5 Dai Li agents.

"Kai!" Korra yelled as she ran over to him, a concerned look on her face.

"Korra is everyone good?" Kai asked, now soaked in blood from both Jinora and the deceased colonel.

"3 Knighthawks died, Opal and Bolin have serious injuries, and 10 more Knighthawks have injuries from life-threatening to minor." Korra replied

"Shit. Who died and who has life-threatening injuries?" Kai questioned while the group began to exit through the hole Bolin had created earlier.

"Gan, Lee, and Moshi were killed;" Kai breathed a sigh of relief as Jay hadn't died, however he had known the 3 who died personally and was still greatly affected, but he had a job to do. "Jay has life threatening injuries. If it weren't for him Opal and Bolin would have died. He airbent a massive boulder away from them while they were unconscious, but by doing so he was hit by a smaller one and left himself open to several earthbending attacks." Korra quickly rattled off.

"Ok." Kai calmed his mind to figure out what to do. "Have the others take the dead and wounded to the hospital ship, you take Jinora to the South Pole as quickly as you can. Try to keep her stable, the only person who can save her is Master Katara." Kai was stern and concise with his orders.

"What are you going to do?" Korra asked curiously.

"Help win this fight." With that Kai flew off, no glider required for him, although he carried his lightweight metal one for weapon purposes.

"Ok everyone!" Korra shouted, to get their attention, as she got to the top of the volcano. "Get the wounded onto the bison! Opal, Bolin, and Jinora are going with me to the South Pole, the rest are going to the hospital ship. Jing, Mako, Asami get your shit and let's go!" With that the rescue force took off at break neck speeds for their respective destinations.

As Kai came over a ridge, that had been separating him from the battle, he saw just how massive the fight was.

Two brigades of conventional forces had been deployed on the largest beach of the island, while a single company of Imperial firebenders had landed on the bravo side to attempt a pincer maneuver on the Dai Li forces. However from the looks of it the plan had gone horribly wrong, the main force was being pushed back into the sea and the Imperial firebenders had been encircled.

The fleet was bombarding the beach in an attempt to relieve the pressure from the main force and get them off the beach, with minimal success. The Imperial firebenders however were trapped about half a mile inland with no means of escape, luckily for them they we on a hilltop and the enemy was having a hard time assaulting their position.

As Kai observed he determined he couldn't help much on the island at this point, so he headed for the command ship to inform command of the situation.

He landed on the flybridge and quickly headed to the ops center where he could help formulate a strategy.

"Sir, 3rd platoon hasn't reported to the beachhead!" A comms officer exclaimed

"See if reinforcements can be sent to find them." An officer replied

"Copy." The comms officer said as he began to send the message.

"Lord Zuko, Kai is here." An officer next to Zuko informed

"Kai? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on the island helping in the rescue?!" Tenzin questioned as he saw him walk in. "And why are you covered in blood?!"

"Long story, no time, Jinora is going to the South Pole." Kai said quickly

"I…I have to go." Tenzin stated as he ran out the door, everyone knew where he was headed.

"Ok Kai what did you come here for?" Zuko asked in the silence from everyone watching Tenzin leave.

"Right. Business." Kai took a breath and continued. "The main force has been pushed all the back to the beach, they need immediate extraction." He looked at the map on the table to see how the forces were deployed. "Why are the imperial troops there?" Kai questioned upon seeing the troops in the incorrect position.

"We lost contact with them 20 minutes ago, that was their last known location." Zuko answered

"Well I know why you lost contact. They are surrounded on this hilltop, they were barely hanging on when I flew over."

Zuko pondered what to do for a moment.

"Sir, we can use the tanks to rescue them and then push towards the main beach and flank the enemy." A captain replied

"We could, but then we have to get the tanks off the beach." Zuko stated

"Yes, but the tanks can survive the barrage unlike a regular ground force." The captain replied

"That is true Tanku…but how will they get to the troops?" Zuko paused and looked at him for an answer.

"Simple sir. They will be landed here" He pointed to the far side of the island. "and then push through the minimal defenses there, break through the siege of the imperial troops, and meet at the main beach." As he spoke he drew a line with his finger across the map.

"Bold… can it be done?" Zuko questioned, knowing that Tanku was a tanker.

"Sir with all due respect do you remember the success Daimyo Nikon Orlando at the Battle of Mequon?" Tanku stated more than questioned.

"Yes, my uncle talked of him often when talking about his younger years, later in life I learned the fully story. He was courageous, brave, and, most importantly, wise." Zuko sighed "He sacrificed himself and his brigade to slow the advance of Nifong, ultimately resulting as the move that won the battle." Zuko finished with a solemn look, for he was forced to remember his uncle, and a story that made him hate his father far more than had previously been the case. "But to does that relate to this?" He finished.

"That is what I wish to do." Tanku stated confidently.

"What?" Kai exclaimed, shocked after hearing the exchange.

"I will take a platoon and get those men out of there." Tanku stated directly to Zuko.

All eyes in the room looked at Zuko for an answer, in the old days of Fire Lord Ozai this action would have meant execution, but Zuko was not like his father.

"On one condition." Zuko looked up from the map where he had been looking and thinking. "You bring those men back home."

"Sir" Tanku addressed "I swear on my honor, the honor of my family, and by all the spirits that if I fail you, you will not have to worry about punishment for I would rather die trying to succeed in my goal than return in shame." His words were sincere and no man in the room could doubt him.

Zuko looked intently at the man and then spoke. "For doing this you will not have to worry about your honor, or anyone else's. I once struggled with my honor." This earned him shocked looks from everyone in the room.

"I learned honor can never be given or taken by anyone." He looked around the room at everyone "Honor can only be earned through ones actions. Remember this as you fight, whether you are battling today, or long after my time has passed and Agni has called me home."

No one needed to ask if permission was granted, that had been thoroughly explained. All they could do was go back to work, after all a battle was in progress.

Kai walked over to Tanku and looked him directly in the eyes. "No man will pay for my mistake" Kai stated, the captain was about to reply when Kai cut him off. "At least not without me there to take some of the heat."

The tanker nodded and then replied as they walked down a hallway. "I thought you airbenders were peaceful."

"We seek the most peaceful solution, however in some cases fighting is the best way to answer for your mistakes." Kai replied, with a downcast look on his face.

Noticing this Tanku gave Kai a piece of advice. "I understand you may have made some bad choices, but today is the day you set things right."

"Yes…I can't change the past, but my actions from this point on will affect the future of many." Kai firmly stated

With that the two left for the land craft that would take the tankers to the beach.

The ship containing the landing craft sped around to the rear of the island and was in position no more than 10 minutes later.

The tankers had gathered in their tanks and were mentally steeling themselves for the battle ahead. Kai however was occupied with his own thoughts as he waited for the signal to be given.

He knew that he had sent Jinora to the best healer in the world, but in her state he had no idea if even Katara could save her. He also knew he couldn't run from this fight, he had been the one responsible for it. It was he that had made Jinora go on that fateful mission, and in doing so started a saga that had led to this point.

If his time on the street had taught him one thing it was this, if you start a fight you better be damn well sure you can end it. That was the one thing he was ready to do today.

As he pondered his situation he heard the bell signaling the launch of the landing craft. Kai jumped straight up and began flying towards the island, his glider held in his hands for quick access.

Kai hadn't realized this before, but he was only one of three people the spirits choose to bestow the gift of flight on, why him he had no clue.

Maybe the spirits thought he was important, maybe they didn't want to see such talent be killed by its own accord, or maybe they just wanted to see a love prosper despite gaining no benefit from it.

The world may never know the answer to why the spirits had given him this gift, but he knew that he needed to make the most of it.

He came over the beach, and as he looked down, saw several Dai Li preparing to launch boulders at the helpless landing craft.

So he did the one thing he could, he dove and came down right in the midst of one of the emplacements.

"What the fuck?" Someone stated as a cloud of dust suddenly appeared.

The men inside looked at him with a shocked look, but before they could react they were all sent flying every which way. Most hit the ground hard enough to break bones, and one unlucky soul hit the wall headfirst, snapping his neck, leaving his head an unnatural angle as his body slumped over.

Kai ran through the trenches quickly doing similar actions in the other emplacements before they could fire at the transports.

Kai knocked had finished knocking out all five of the manned emplacements that overlooked the beach by the time the landing craft had gotten the tanks to shore.

However that was the easy part.

Now they had to push across a mile of the island, break through enemy lines, rescue the trapped troops, push another half a mile to the beachhead, hold the enemy until everyone was away, and then evacuate with no cover on the beach.

Simple enough Kai thought to himself.

They had been fighting for 15 minutes, and 10 of those had been intense fighting.

Kai was flying above the tanks to scout the area ahead, and stop anyone from flanking them. He was tired, he was covered in blood that was not his own, sweat ran across his body like water through a river, his face and body were marred by dust, cuts were scattered everywhere across exposed skin, but he kept going.

The tankers were feeling the heat too. They had been getting pounded by rocks and boulders for the last 12 minutes, but their machines kept going, which meant the men were in high spirits.

After hard hits Tanku would put his hand over a framed picture he had secured above the radio.

Most would look at the picture and notice the terrible quality, almost so bad you couldn't make out faces, but he knew better. That picture was his grandmother, and her tank crew the day before the Battle of Mequon.

The picture had been taken long ago, on one of the earliest cameras. It was worn, the edges tattered, but the main part was still there.

On the bottom were the signatures of the crew members. One stood out to above all. It was big and the writer obviously was not known for subtlety as it was smack in the middle of the bottom, barely leaving room for the others.

That was Nikon Orlando's signature, the man that lead the one way mission of The Fifth Brigade of the Army of the Great Divide.

Kai kept the tanks safe from the skies, and in return they took care of anything that moved on the ground that wasn't a friend.

Twenty minutes after landing the tanks on the beach Kai spotted what remained of the Imperial firebenders. He flew down to the lead tank to inform Tanku of his discovery.

"Kai" Tanku was exhausted from nearly fifteen minutes of straight bending. "What do you see?" He asked as he burnt an agent to a crisp.

"The troops are on that hill." Kai pointed to a hill about 500 yards away.

"You mean the one with all the flame and rock flying around?" Tanku asked, wanting to confirm his thoughts.

"That'd be it." Kai grinned

"…" The captain was thinking. "Go up there and help them, we'll be there in 2 minutes, and take this." The tank commander handed Kai a small portable radio, about the size of a brick.

"Okay, I'll update you as soon as I get there." Kai stated before taking off.

The captain stared at the young airbender as he flew off, that boy had seen more shit in his twenty years then most soldiers saw in their whole careers.

However his thoughts were cut short as a 75 pound rock flew within inches of his head. He quickly went back to work.

Kai arrived on top of the hill, the ground was colored a deep red, no doubt from blood. He walked to what looked like the command post, however it looked more like a morgue as bodies were slumped over packs and limbs strewn about like grass on a hillside.

He saw a tall man barking orders at people, who in turn ran off to the nearby lines. He must be in charge.

"Are you the captain?" Kai asked the man

"No, he died 45 minutes ago. I'm the Master Sergeant." The tall man replied

"Are any of the officers alive?" Kai asked

"Yes, the Second Lt is, but he is unconscious." He replied dryly. "And who are you."

"I'm with a tank platoon, they're a few minutes out. After they get here we're going to head to the main beach to evacuate with the main force." Kai informed him

"How are we supposed to get there? We have one platoon worth of men that can actually fight, half a platoon worth of injured, and the rest are dead." He stated it as if he were taking stock of his wares.

"I don't know…but what I do know is that if we don't get there we are going to die." Kai affirmed

The man looked Kai over again. "Who are you really?" He asked

Kai sighed "I'm Kai"

"Kai, should have known. You know not many airbenders get a nickname Eagle of the East." The Master Sergeant replied with gusto as they shook hands.

"Well who are you?" Kai asked

"I am a simple soldier, my name does not matter. Now quickly, we have to organize the men if we want to get to the beach!" The Master Sergeant replied

The tanks finally broke through the enemy lines, earning them cheers from their friendly troops. As the tanks pulled into the meager defensive perimeter wounded were loaded onto a tank and everyone else hopped on the remained 3 tanks.

"Everyone!" The Master Sergeant yelled from atop a rock that had been sent at them earlier "The healthy human mind does not think its next few hours will be its last. But I believe that is a luxury. Not a curse. To know you are close to the end is a kind of freedom. This is a good time to take…inventory. Outgunned. Outnumbered. Out of our minds. On a suicide mission. But the sand and rocks here, stained with thousands of years of warfare…They will remember us. For this. Because out of our vast array of nightmares, this is the one we choose for ourselves. We go forward like a breath exhaled from the earth. With vigor in our hearts and one goal in sight. We will. Win."

The soldiers, though beleaguered, gave a thunderous cheer. Kai thought it was funny, that in such a hell hole everyone was cheered up by some simple words.

"Ok let's get going!" Tanku ordered

The small force took off down to the beach to evacuate with the rest of the force.

As they fought their way to the beach Kai thought about the briefing. 300 Dai Li my ass.

"Shit! Enemy on the left!" A corporal shouted

"I see 'em!" A tank gunner yelled in reply

"Fucking hell! My leg" A private screamed in pain as a rock impaled his leg.

"We need a medic!" His friend yelled

"They're all dead!" Someone else shouted

The small force did make quick work of the enemy however. They ended up crossing the half a mile to the main beach in just 10 minutes.

They had paid though. They now had three quarters of a platoon worth of wounded, half a platoon still able to fight, and a quarter of a platoon worth of dead. As well as a two tank crewman dead, with 2 more injured after their tank had been destroyed.

As they pulled into the beachhead a captain asked them what they needed.

"Medics!" Tanku replied as he motioned for the infantry to get off his tanks.

"Copy, we'll get the wounded on the hospital ship." The other captain replied

"I'm going to go find the guy in charge." Kai stated as he took off for a small tent.

"Be quick, we need off this shithole." The Master Sergeant replied as he ordered those who could still fight to the front.

"Hang in there Jinora." Korra stated as she woke from unconsciousness, only to go straight back to it.

"More water!" Korra ordered

Asami and Jing quickly complied, grabbing another five gallon jug from the back of the bison.

"ugh" Opal muttered as she stirred from unconsciousness.

"You're up!" Bolin shouted as he hugged her. He had woken up about half an hour earlier.

"Where are we? What the hell happened?" Opal asked, confused

"We're on Juicy headed to the South Pole, and we got knocked unconscious." Bolin replied

"Whaa?" Opal was at a loss for words

"It's a long story, explain later." Mako interrupted rom the bison's head.

"How much farther until the South Pole?" Korra asked Mako

"At this rate it will be 3 more hours." Mako replied

"Speed it up…I don't think she has 3 hours." Korra gravely stated

"General!" An aide interrupted

"Yes" He replied annoyed

"The imperial troops are here with three tanks." His aide replied

"Good, start the evacuation."

"Okay."

Kai then ran in, panting. "Sir, we have a plan for evacuation. The tanks will cover everyone and then get off the island."

"Who are you?" The general was getting seriously annoyed with these interruptions, he had a battle to fight.

"Kai." He was still recovering from his sprint.

The general's eye's shot open. "That is straight from Lord Zuko then?"

"Yes" Kai lied, but he knew Tanku and his crews agreed.

"Ok," He looked at his aide "continue with that plan!"

"Copy"

"I have a radio here." Kai stated

"Use that instead." The general informed him

"Baseplate this is Quebec-Papa." Kai spoke into the radio

"Go ahead Quebec-Papa." A calm voice replied

"We are commencing evacuation of the beach, send the transports. How copy."

"Baseplate copies commence evacuation."

"Break it down. We're leaving." The general stated

This battle was meant to be won, but the Dai Li had obviously been hiding thousands of troops deeper in the mountain than the scouts had gone, so they were retreating…for now.

The battle quickly reached higher intensities as troops began to board landing craft, the dead and wounded first.

The Dai Li knew that with less men on the front it would be easier to win, but they hadn't accounted for the three tanks that were now running through their lines with minimal resistance.

The fighting reached a peak as the last conventional forces left, leaving only the tanks and what remained of the Imperial firebenders.

Suddenly though the fighting ceased, as if the spirits had made it halt.

That was not the case however. Kai, who had decided to stay until the very end, saw a man he hated.

"Hello, Kai" The man stated, a devilish smile on his face.

"Grr" Kai grunted

"Your whore was treated well I assure you…" The man paused "At least until you showed up."

Kai tightened the grip on his glider.

The man looked Kai over. "Do you not remember me? Or should I remind you?"

"Fuck you." Was all Kai said in response.

"Oh…an airbender doesn't use such profanity!" The man pretended to be disgusted

"I was a street kid long before I was an airbender." Kai replied, not showing a trace of fear.

"Well that isn't what your whore moaned about as my men-" He started, trying to get Kai angry.

Suddenly a massive air blast sent him flying back into his men, knocking the breath out of him, who quickly prepared to beat the remaining forces to a pulp.

"Wait!" The man held up his hand, his black cloak flowing in the wind. "I'll deal with him myself!"

"What about the fire breathers?" An agent asked

"Let them go." He muttered as he locked gaze with Kai.

"What do we do?" The Master Sergeant asked no one in particular.

"Leave." Kai stated gruffly

"Why, we can take 'em!" A soldier hollered

"This is not your fight." Kai replied

"But we can help." The same guy retorted

"This is his fight men." A Voice of experience spoke. "He must set things right for himself, we cannot help if he does not want us to." Kai averted his gaze for a split second to see who was talking, it was Tanku.

"But sir-"

"That is an order private. Now move it." He had sadness in his eyes, but he knew this was something Kai needed to face by himself.

Kai nodded in his direction as they boarded the landing craft to leave, he returned with a salute, which Kai returned.

"So…now that your friends are gone what are you going to do?" The man quipped

"I beat you in that tunnel surrounded by your own element! And I'll beat you here!" Kai shouted across the battlefield, blood stained the sand.

"You fool! I would not have sought this fight if I thought I would lose!" He blabbered manically

"You seem confident." Kai smirked as they both began to circle each other like sharks a corpse.

"Very perceptive you are." The Dai Li agent joked

"Well I wouldn't get cocky, after all, you lost to a kid." Kai smirked, then he saw the anger flash across his opponent's face, mission success.

"You will pay for that day!" The earthbender roared

The fight had begun.

Boulders flew from the ground at extreme speed. Kai expertly dodged all of them, leaving the Dai Li behind him to scatter for cover.

Kai retaliated with several air blasts, all of which were blocked by a wall of earth.

The wall was sent flying back towards Kai as it had no further defensive use.

Kai, unable to dodge, sent an air slice at it, cutting it in half.

The scene quickly began to be obscured by dust as the Dai Li general sent unwavering attacks at the young man. However nothing was happening.

Kai was slicing rocks, and blasting boulders away. Causing such a large cloud of dust that the men on the ships thought there had been a massive explosion.

The onslaught continued for several minutes, Kai was completely defensive. Then he had a thought.

I can get above him.

Suddenly Kai decided to take-off into the sky. And when the Dai Li noticed boulders were no longer being blocked he smirked. "I have you now." He stated, walking to where Kai last was.

But as he walked to the spot where Kai should have been he didn't see anything. "Where are you?" He questioned, his eyes narrowing.

Suddenly a knife, propelled by airbending, hit his shoulder, leaving a deep gash as it took out a few inches of surface skin.

He turned on his heel, only to be struck from the direction he had been facing on the right arm, the same side as the shoulder.

"You sneaky little-!" The Dai Li had enough and grounded the dust cloud, leaving Kai completely exposed.

"Oh shit" Kai muttered under his breath

He was inches away from the agent, who quickly grabbed him before he could react.

"I have you now." He muttered

He threw Kai to the ground, locking him in place with earthen restraints.

"Now you will pay for your crimes against the earth kingdom…with your life!" The man yelled

Kai closed his eyes, if this was is time so be it…at least he had gotten Jinora out of here.

The agent formed a boulder into a massive spike of earth. Then he lifted it up.

Kai took a breath, and then exhaled, calming his nerves.

The agent lifted the giant spike and then moved it over Kai's body.

"Any last words?" He asked as he raised it higher.

Kai remained silent.

"So be it." With that he sent the rock hurtling toward the airbender.

Suddenly the rock had switched direction, aiming straight for the gut of the general.

Kai's restraints fell off as the Dai Li lost his focus, I mean who wouldn't with a 6 foot rock protruding through their gut.

Kai jumped up, readying a knife. He leaned down towards his now dying opponent.

"Next time you want to kill an airbender that way, cover their mouth." He whispered.

A/N: Hey, yeah... been a while. More than a while. My explanation will be short and concise. School sucks, AP Chem sucks, Junior year sucks, but hey I have good friends at least!

My leave of absence was mostly for school, and then when I did have time I had to do DMV stuff for my permit, and when that wasn't going on I was going to car accidents and fires. So yeah, hectic isn't proper to describe my time over the past few months. I will make no promises of regular uploads because as soon as mountain biking starts I will have even less free-time to write. In fact most of this was written back in August, but due to everything I just got around to doing my final read and touch-up.

So many of you may have noticed 2 things that I referenced.

1 was Nikon Orlando from Acastus's story "Prince Iroh" ( s/2915248/1/Prince-Iroh). I know that I spoiled his fate a little, but trust me that is only the surface of the story. The story makes you find more reasons to hate certain characters in ATLA and makes you understand how Iroh became so wise.

2 was something I am sure lots of you have heard. It was the Speech the Master Sergeant gave, which was pretty much an exact copy of Captain Price's speech in Modern Warfare 2. It was great, and I liked it so it got put in.

Don't forget to Favorite and Review!

Thank you for reading!