Hello, chapter 53 is up and only a few chapters remain in the fic which you already know and now is when things get very serious. I also had a hard time choosing the groups for the war and the main city it would take place in so I decided to go with two cities instead. Any who thanks for all who review and I'm glad you guys enjoyed the last chapter. I'm J1210 holla.

Disclaimer:

Avatar: The Last Airbender is trademarked property of Nickelodoen Networks, but I do own my OC's. All other characters and crossovers go to they're respective owners.

A Dragons Rebirth

By: J1210

Chapter LIII: Corruption Within

Dai Lou-Southern Fire Nation

Only two days remain before the start of the war and Azula was shipped off with her battalion to the Southern Earth Kingdom along with Zuko, Ty Lee, Suki, Katara, and Mai. Ryo and Kai's battalion had joined into a joint battalion, but were right near the edge of the borders between Northern and Southern Fire Nation. The Southern part of the Nation had still been a little shaky from they're last loss, but had remained neutral. Zuko decided to infiltrate the lands on his own terms for the sake of the war.

Over in the Earth Kingdom the army stood ready to attack any who stood in they're way. Leading the war was Ashe, alongside her she had Toph, Sokka, the Bandits, the White Lotus, and Aang to handle the army of Kian that awaited them.

Dai Lou was right on the battle front abd the new 31st battallion was their first wave. Crowded in a room the now 150 militia was prepared from a speech from they're Generals.

In the front row sat Captain Kato, Yuffie, Bear, Lin, and Lu Kei. Kai entered the room first followed by Ryo. "31st battalion," Ryo spoke. "We have been put on the front line of this war. I have no doubt that we will push deep into the city, but we are up against the most bloodthirsty creatures on earth.." Ryo paused and took a sigh. "The Brutes, they will stop at nothing to tear us limb from limb. Are objective is not only to clear a path for our fellow troops, but to rescue Fire Lady Kerra Jin who was captured by Haroji Jin. She is still alive, but we have to get her out of that deranged Arbiter's hands before he kills her."

"And not only that, Haroji Jin has to die in doing so." Kai put in. "I''m sure all of you have heard the legend of the Dusk Shard. That it restores ones bending every 50 years, but not only that." a murmuring erupted from the crowd of soldiers. "If acquired Haroji Jin he'll kill us all."

"How's that?" asked a curious Bear.

"The Dusk Shard is a sort of sacred stone that only our spirit ancestors can use to its full extent, but if Haroji uses it to its full power under the full moon his Fire Bending will be unstopable." Ryo mumbled.

"You mean like on the day of the Sozin's Comet, but the Avatar stopped the Fire Lord?" shouted a soldiers from the back.

"The Shard is not as powerful as a comet in sight only as dangerous as the one uses it." Kai responded coolly. "Me and Ryo have agreeded that Captain Kato and Lin will save Kerra from the palace. Ryo and myself shall slay Haroji Jin."

"So what about us?" Yuffie asked.

"Yuffie I'm leaving you and Bear in charge of securing the outer walls of the city with Mai, Azula, Suki, and Ty Lee." Ryo replied. "Other than that get some rest tomorrow we march to the Capital of the Fire Nation and take back what is rightfully ours."

Omashu-Southern Earth Kingdom

Ashe sighed as she sat on her bed in one of the Resistances Capital cities. "I've come so far from being just a widowed Queen. Now is the time to mark my name forever in the Dynasty. The first Queen to rule alone and lead the One Resistance to victory."

"That it is," spoke a voice from her door was standing in her doorway with two cups of tea. "I'm ready to go home. To sleep in my real bed and return to making tea."

Ashe took a cup and nodded in her thanks. "Have you ever been afraid what would happen if we lose this war." Ashe mumbled.

Iroh looked out the window at the rain pouring down. "Then there will be no second chances. We will suffer in defeat and the Avatar as well. He can no t accomplish world peace on his own,. nor may he force anyone to."

"What do you mean." Ashe asked.

"I can see you and Zuko fighting in the future." Iroh answered wearily. "The Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation have never been on the best terms nor they never will. Princess Ashelia you believe in restoring the Earth Kingdom to what it once was 100 years ago like you read in your storybooks and so do I. But if we lose this war the Resistance will fall apart and all hope will be lost. If you and Zuko wish to create a world full of peace and unity you must not only better your own country."

"I don't understand what you mean, I cannot meddle in the affairs of other Nations." Ashe said confused.

"You will find out what I mean in the future young one. For now just focus on the present." at that Iroh left Ashe to ponder on her thoughts.

"Rasler what would you do?" Ashe placed her hand on the window.

"Mi..Milady." a servant rushed to Ashe's room. "We have just received word that Kentaro has fled the Earth Kingdom."

"Dammit, what about his army?" Ashe questioned.

"They're advancing." she answered.

"Very well, tell General Toph Bei Fong to order the army ready we have one day and we will stop the army before they reach the border and push them back into the north." Ashe spoke confidently. "This is it, give Zuko word with fastest messenger hawk that the war has begun."

Fire Nation Palace-Northern Fire Nation

Kerra stood in the Phoenix King Ozai's room in front of a Haroji. She shifted her feet uneasily and sighed. After she sent her letter to the Resistance they sent word they were coming to rescue her. Ozai somehow got a hold of the letter and found out of her treason.

"Fire Lady Kerra Jin, you are being charged with treason against the Fire Nation for siding with them. You have tried to be rescued from your position and tried to lead me and my Fire Lord to a death." Ozai's voice was powerful and unmerciful. "I sentence you to death by night fall tomorrow."

"No!!" Kerra sheirked as the guards carried her out of the room. Haroji bowed to the Pheonix KIng and left his throne room outside to where they were carriying her.

"Drop her." Haroji demanded. The guards did as they were told and returned to they're positions guarding the doors. Haroji dragged the teary Fire Lady into a nearby room and let go. "I didn't want it to go this far." he muttered. Kerra only glared into his eye's, but did no harm. "I have a proposition for you Kerra if you steal me the Dusk Shard I'll let you go and I will never speak of your name again, but if you fail I will have your head."

"Wh..what, but he wears it around his neck I could never." Kerra stammered.

"Its your decision, die or freedom." Haroji smirked. "This is your last night at the palace..make it count. And when you have it slip the shard under my room door."

Haroji left Kerra alone in the room. "Is he planning to kill Ozai?" she mumbled. "But if I do get him the Dusk Shard that will hurt the Resistance. No, no, no what am I going to do?" Kerra slumped on to the ground. "I'll do what I have to."

A few hours past after a while and Kerra had changed her clothes into dark black. She could recall back at the Fire Academy that some classes weren't only educational and domestic. Kerra crawled out of her window so the guards outside her door wouldn't notice. She took out two knives and jabbed them into the wall. Slowly she began to slope the walls until a guard in the garden was patrolling and spoted her. Kerra jumped down and dodged his upcoming blazes of flame and stabbed him with the knife and chocked him out. "Forgive me." she whispered as she dragged him into a nearby bush.

Kerra spotted the Phoenix Kings room right above the garden and climbed up and tree and jumped onto the balcony. Slowly she drew a blade from her back pocket and slipped into the room.

Ozai appeared to be sleeping as she spotted the Dusk Shard hanging off of his neck. She slowly reached to grab the Shard, but Ozai's eye's flew open and he grabbed her wrist and threw her onto the bed. His hand lite up as he aimed for Kerra's face.

Kerra reacted by aiming for the Phoenix Kings heat with the blade, but Ozai dodged and realized he lite his bed on fire. Kerra quickly grabbed the Shard while he was distracted and ran for the window. Ozai blasted the Fire Lady from the balcony into the garden where he followed. His room was completely on fire.

When Ozai landed on the ground Kerra had disappeared. "Where are you little girl?!" he spotted a lump under and bush and blasted flames only to hear the scream of a bloodied guard in agony. Kerra had escaped Dusk Shard in hand.

Kerra didn't know where she was going or didn't care about giving the Shard to Haroji only leaving the city. She soon realized she was in a graveyard if the soldiers who had fallen during the 100 year war. Distracted by this she looked around and soon found what she was looking for. Sitting in front of her was the grave of her late husband. Kerra spilt into tears hugging onto the grave stone.

"Pity isn't it." Haroji smirked as he appeared into the graveyard. "I had a feeling you'd find it. He died in the final battle what a shame. Haroji took the Shard from Kerra and stuffed it deep into his pocket."

Kerra stood up started to step back until she notcied a river behind her. "So you'll let me go."

"I'm not so sure Fire Lady." Haroji smirked. "Treason is a big deal."

"What!?" she shouted. "I can't believe I thought you actually had a heart you manipulated me!?"

"My dear wife, I cut my heart out ten years ago." Haroji blasted Kerra uncaring into the river and she floated not knowing if she was dead or alive away. "Never will I let a woman get the better of me again." he muttered. "You should have seen this coming from the start my dear." Haroji spat on the ground and walked away. "Good riddance."

Well what did you think, not that bad huh'. Well now I have dignified Haroji can pown any Disney villain ahahahahahahahhahahah. Just kidding, any who remember to review I'm J1210 holla, holla, holla!!!!!!!