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ACT II
SETTING: A few weeks after the changing of the command structure. It is sunrise and the dew on the ground is still fresh. The moon as well is still visible and the general area is quiet and peaceful. In one of the Organization outposts near the rebel contested regions. Several groups of Lupuz Soldiers are stationed in the area. Some patrol as most seemed to be merely keeping up with daily duties. Shara is in command of the small outpost while Kanani is away. She wears the normal Elite Class armor and is reading a book in her hands. After a moment, she pauses as she feels that someone is next to her.
ZAKKU (Curious)- What are you reading? Can I read?
SHARA - A book...(Jokingly) I don't know if you can read or not...
ZAKKU (Laughs slightly)- A book...what kinda book?
SHARA (Closes the book)- Just an old story... Aren't you supposed to be doing something?
ZAKKU - Maybe... (Takes a breath)... Well...I would be doing something, but the Organization seems to have put me up to dry, if you get my meaning.
SHARA - Don't take it personally...
ZAKKU - I'm not. It's just I am really bored. Kinseu is still gone; half the Warriors keep away from me, and well... I'm not to good friends with the new Cap...
SHARA - Comes with any change in command. (Glances to Zakku) Get used to it, it won't be the last time you have to re-establish yourself. You think that it is easy to get anywhere? You'll need to fight and struggle some times.
ZAKKU - Well...You're an Elite...can you at least tell me how Kinseu is doing?
SHARA (Silent for a moment; Seemingly lying)- I don't know...
ZAKKU (Laughs)- Wow...you are a terrible liar.
SHARA - Was it that obvious? To tell you the truth, the promotion to Elite Class is a quiet...shocking process... It can be very painful, or not...depends on the person.
(Zakku is silent for a long moment as he stares at Shara. He blinks several times as she stands up straight and motioning for him to follow her.)
SHARA - Since I have been neglecting your training. Have you been breathing, like I told you to? (Zakku scratches his head as he shows that he hadn't.) Don't tell me...you forgot... (Zakku slightly laughs as he turns his head slightly.) Seriously...You'll never be able to bend fire without being serious and in control.
ZAKKU - I know how to manipulate flames...(Zakku moved his hands slightly making the flames move slightly and bringing it up into a ball of flame. Zakku smiled as if it wasn't a big deal. Shara put her hand to her forehead, sighing loudly.)
SHARA - You make my job hard... goodness sakes...all you had to do was breath. Have you at least been working on other fighting skills?
ZAKKU - Yes, yes I have.
SHARA - That's good... Honestly...I was getting worried. I thought I had to act like a mother and have to watch over your shoulder in order to make sure you do anything. (Zakku is quiet for a moment as his thoughts drift for a moment.) ...You thinking about your parents again?
ZAKKU (Surprised)- What! How did you know that?
SHARA - One time, when you were sleeping, I heard you talk in your sleep.
ZAKKU - Really?! What did I say?
SHARA (Ignoring previous question)- Do you miss them? (Zakku is silent for a long moment. He nods slowly, understanding what she was talking about.) I can tell that you were... Maybe that is why you can't bend well...(Zakku turns his head slightly) You can't focus 'cause you mind is distracted.
ZAKKU - Maybe...(Changing subject)...What book were you reading?
SHARA - Standard reading for Elite Class...Book of Gaia...Though incomplete, for some reason it is a book that seemingly relates to us...(Hands over to book to Zakku) This isn't the original copy, and the last passages are missing.
ZAKKU (Takes the book and reads)- This is in the ancient language... Preface... Duty and honor. The two things that haunt many of mankind; Duty to others around you, and Honor to your being. Many a time lost, for mankind is easily lost in both. Blinded loyalty, and selfish pride... Who wrote this?
SHARA - An Airbender, if you can believe that, also said to be a madman... It is an old book. Only one original copy left in the world...rumor has it that Kanani has the original. (Zakku holds out the book to give it back) No, no. Keep it. I have read it so much that I have all the words memorized. You'll need it now... perhaps it will help.
ZAKKU (Nods)- Speaking of Kanani, he's at the frontlines, right? (Shara nods) When will we be sent to assist?
(Shara is silent for a moment. She turns as two Elite soldiers stand at attention by her with one whispering into her ear. After a moment she nods as she turns waving Zakku to follow.)
SHARA - We're moving out... Called by Kanani. He sa... (Suddenly there is an explosion as a part of the wall explodes into flames, sending three Regular Class soldiers flying off the wall top, hitting the ground below. Zakku ducks down slightly as pieces of wood and burnt debris fly at them.) MOVE! (Shara begins running as Soldiers start to run about, drawing weapons as the enemy come charging threw the damaged wall. Zakku nods as he runs to the wall as well, sword drawn as Rebel soldiers begin bombarding the outpost with flames and stone. The first rebel to charge Zakku wielded a long sword and moved rather fast as he dashed forward, hoping to kill the enemy soldier in an instant. Zakku, however, doubted that the man had the skill, or strength to bet him. Zakku slashed upward, knocking the sword up and slashing straight threw the chest, and continued to move forward as the enemy fell to the ground. More rebels charged threw as the Organization members continued to push forward trying to keep the enemy from stealing any intell, or overwhelm the base. There was a loud bang as an explosion from some sort of ball hit the area right in front of the hole in the wall, sending soldiers either flying backwards, or completely killing them in an instant. Zakku tried to get up after the explosion, which knocked him to the ground. His body was sore all over as dirt and flames fell from the crater on the ground around it. Several Rebels were on the ground to as Zakku lifted himself up. Two turned to look at him and charged forward. Zakku stood his ground as on jumped attacked him. He used his sword to make his opponent's sword go up, then kicked him in the chest, knocking the enemy back. The second one thrust forward, making Zakku evade by stepping the side and slashing backwards into the back of the enemy, who fell to the ground as the first soldier regained his footing to fight. Flames come from his right hand, a small burst of flames into the enemy, making them fall back again. Zakku wasted no time in striking downward for a killing blow. Zakku was breathing hard as another explosion hit him slightly with burning hot rocks. The Lupuz uniform cut up badly and blood dripping from burn and debris wounds. Zakku feels no pain for a moment until he takes another step forward which makes his wounds on his legs hurt, and sending the pain throughout his leg. Zakku makes no sound of pain as he limps forward along with several other soldiers. A rebel soldier a few meters away knocks down a Regular Class soldier. The rebel is about to kill him only to be stopped by Zakku shuving him into a wall, and then slashing with the sword, sending a stream of blood onto the woodwork. Zakku, rests for a moment on the wall glancing to the Regular he just saved.)
AZIL - Zak!
ZAKKU - Lucky you, I was here... (Zakku turns to see Shara standing in front of the charging force. Though he can not see her face do to the wolf-like mask she is wearing, he can tell it is her do to the blue colored fire in her hand. After some sort of bending style move, she bends the flames into a whip-like wave and sends the flames at the advancing Rebels. Zakku stares for a moment as the Rebels are engulfed by flames and scream in agony as the fall to the ground rolling to try and stop the burning.)
AZIL - Thanks... (The regular hands Zakku a cloth for his wounds. Zakku nods as he begins to wrap it around his bleeding injury.)
ZAKKU - No problem.
(Shara walks forward looking at the area from the area that was destroyed by the attack.)
SHARA - Come on! Kanani's message was that his position was overwelmed. Move out! (Zakku glances to Azil, who moves forward first as Zakku limps quickly after him and Shara. Several other soldiers follow as the move toward the city that is in the clearing and on top a hill. Smoke can be seen coming from the city as well as assualt parties from the rebel side. Zakku closes his eyes for a moment.)
(:SCENE SHIFT: Dirt and rocks seem to explode in the reflection of Zakku's eyes as he ducks down in the ditch along with dozens of other soldiers as flames and columns of rocks appear across no-mans land. The dead bodies of Organization soldiers lay motionless on the field as a few are alive, screaming in agonizing pain. Zakku is breathing hard as a fire ball hits the earth next to him, the flames burning into the face of the soldier next to him. The man screamed and held his hand to his face as the flames had burned the flesh off. Zakku turned his head, his hand shaking slightly as other soldiers seemed to be visibly scared as well. Shara, along with two Elites, moved to separate areas, one in center, one to the left and the other to the right. Shara stood near the better Firebenders organizing them to prepare for a charge. The Elite to the right was preparing his soldiers for the charge as well, as the backup for the forward charging force. The Elite in front of Zakku waved him along with the fifteen other soldiers to him. The moment the soldier spoke, Zakku recognized it.)
KINSEU - We are going to the forward attack group, got it? Everyone! We will charge when Chimera gives the sign.
(Zakku is quiet for a long moment, and looks as if he is going to say something but suddenly there is a loud crackle that sounds like lightening. There is a flash that draws Zakku's attention. Shara was the one who bended lightening, sending it straight threw one of the towers with Firebenders were at.)
KINSEU - FORWARD! (Kinseu charged forward as Zakku follows. Quickly, he sprints as only a few others keep up with him. Zakku sees rocks being bended out of the ground trying to slow down, or even kill soldiers that are charging. Zakku glances to the side to see the familiar Regular that he had seen before.)
AZIL - Earth Kingdom Mercs?! What are they doing here?
ZAKKU - I guess the war against the Fire Nation isn't enough for them...MOVE! (Zakku pushes Azil to the side as a spike of rock nearly impales the soldier. The rock scratches Zakku slightly as he rolls into a hole that was created by the flames that were being fired at them. Zakku glances to Azil for a moment seeing that the Regular stands quickly and continues running. Zakku is surprised slightly by the courage the young soldier has, considering he is slightly scare to stand. After a moment Zakku stood as well and sprinted forward as well.)
AZIL - Thanks, Zak! I would have been killed if you didn't do anything.
ZAKKU - I'm not going to let you die, I'd be out of a job then...(Zakku recalls saying that to Kanani a year or so ago.)... Just don't make it a habit...I can't be there all the time to watch your back.
(Kinseu is a few meters ahead and glances back to the forward advance group. Earthbenders killed five Lupuz Soldier. Another three soldiers laid dead by Firebenders. Another three were hiding, to afraid to move. Even with Shara trying to give the advancing group cover, it was proving to be ineffective considering the up hill terrain.)
KINSEU - Come on! Zak, move it! (Azil and Zakku run faster as the begin to see the wall of the city. It isn't a big wall, just large enough to keep wild animals out. The city is in flames as fighting is occurring inside with other Organization soldiers and teams such as Kanani, and Xizzen's team. Suddenly the flames and rocks stopped.) What? (Several bodies fall from the top of the tower. Quickly and with less resistance Kinseu reaches the wall, he turns putting his hand low and interlock looking like he was making a platform with his hand. Zakku runs faster as he easily out runs Azil and jumps up, then landing on foot in Kinseu's hand and pushing off as Kinseu lifts upward as well. Zakku catches the edge of the wall top and pulls himself up and quickly turns to catch Azil as he does the same. Quickly he pulled the soldier up as Kinseu turns and jumps up, barely enough to grab Zakku's fully outstretched hand. Quickly, Zakku pulls back helping the soldier up as well, and turning to jump of the wall top and face the carnage within the city. Bodies of rebel soldiers are laying on the ground as Lupuz soldiers are fighting, on average, two rebels at once. Kinseu turns to regroup his attack force.) You two. (Points to Azil and another Warrior) Go find Xizzen, tell him to fall back to the church. There Shara will be waiting. Zak, come with me, we'll go find Kanani. Be careful, rumor says that the enemy has some 'Hunter-killer' out. (Azil and the Warrior nod as the ran to the area they think they might find Xizzen. Kinseu look at Zakku and gestures for them to run. They begin running past rebels, glancing around for Kanani.) You know what a 'Hunter-killer' is, right?
ZAKKU - You're talking to me… Zakku...I don't know that the sky isn't the ground.
KINSEU - Makes sense...Hunter-killers are rare. The Rebels barely use them because of their 'team-killing' tendencies. But, we had reports they have one here.
ZAKKU - What does it look like?
KINSEU (Points)- Like that! (There is a large winged beast that flies over the area. It has a scorpion tail, and appears like a miniature dragon, with large, bull-like horns that are black like night. The Hunter-killer is also probably commonly known as a Horned Scorpion-Eagle Lizard. It is rather large beast, about the size of a well-aged pine tree. It screeches loudly as it flies about. Suddenly it lands on the building near Zakku and Kinseu, screeching loudly as a figure rolls off the back. It is Kanani, holding a regular sword rather then his larger one. He looks up as the creature seemingly screams at him.)
KINSEU - Getting along with the locals, eh?
KANANI - Kinseu! They finally sent you out.
ZAKKU - The reunion is touching…but I think we have more pressing manners.
KANANI - True…Be careful… We need to take down its wings, as long as it has the ability to fly, we will be in trouble. Zak, you're a Firebender, get its attention…and be careful, Hunter-Killers can breath fire.
ZAKKU - Well…Is that so? (The beast flies upward as Kanani and Kinseu run toward the buildings.)
KANANI (Glancing back)- I know you can do it, Zak. Just focus.
(Zakku watches for a moment as Kinseu and Kanani setup for the trap, then glanced up as the Hunter-Killer looks down, taking in a deep breath as if it is going to blow fire. Zakku swings his sword in one hand as he manipulates small flames to hit the beast in the eyes to get it's attention.)
ZAKKU - Hey, leaving so soon? You thought Kanani was bad, just wait till you fight me! (The beast screeches again as it stares at Zakku with fire-like eyes.)