As usual I own nothing other then this over excited imagination of mine.
Also excitement for finally hitting Book 3 Fire!
The Show Must Go On
Appa banked across the air, Katara worriedly applying aid to Aang's wounds, the spirit water soaking up the pain and tension from the young, unconscious Avatar. Sokka took the reigns as the rest of the party looked on. Some bleakly from the great city in the distance, fires erupting now and then, shortly before more banners appeared.
The local country side soon had more and more red dots appearing on it, moving Fire Nation army units and banners appearing across the land.
"Where are we heading to?" Tenten asked, looking over at Sokka.
"Chameleon bay, it's where our Dad and other water tribe ships are." He shook the reigns, Appa turning with a grunt as he started to lose altitude. The river snaking underneath them opening up into a circular bay, natural earthen walls ringing around the circle of water before it entered the sea proper.
Sokka directed Appa down, landing on the soft golden sands of the beach, everyone hopping off as Appa let out a grunt that turned into a yawn. Top was ecstatic to be back on land again, wriggling her toes, as Katara carefully lowered Aang down with tendrils of water, holding him carefully. Hakoda and a few other water tribe warriors running up to great them.
"What happened?" Hakoda asked worried, taking in the group.
"There was a coup, Azula and Zuko… the Fire Nation princess and prince have taken Ba Sing Se." Sokka let out hurriedly, the words tumbling from his mouth.
"What happened to the Avatar?" Hakoda asked worriedly, taking in Aang's barely moving form.
"He got it in the back with lighting, I'm trying to stabilise him so you need to give me some space" Katara replied frostily.
Hakoda backed off, giving Katara some space as the water circling his wounds appeared to glow, the burn seemed to lessen somewhat every time the water passed over it, or at least to a limited extent and soon Aang's breathing was deep and calm instead of erratic.
"We can't stay here" Shikamaru announced, Sokka nodding.
"He's right, the Fire Nation have taken over Ba Sing Se and are claiming the rest of the Earth Kingdom. We won't be safe here now that the city has fallen.
"On that note" Kuei spoke up, swapping suddenly into more common clothes. "I'm not cut out for travelling and fighting like you will be, but I would like to get to know my subjects more."
"You realise they might not be your subjects soon right? Or if we fail?" Tenten spoke up.
"I have complete faith in you."
"Either way, going alone will be dangerous and we don't have the luxury of being able to send anyone with you.
"I'll go with my King" General How spoke up, with Bosco roaring in agreement.
"Well that settles that" Shikamaru commented dryly.
"Either way we're going to have bigger problems" Hakoda spoke up as the Earth King left the bay, climbing up the mountain path with his general and his bear. "The avatar is injured and we're now down one Earth Kingdom army."
"He's not out yet" Katara spoke up, glaring at her farther.
"He's right sis" Sokka announced. "But we can't give up just yet."
"True" Shikamaru spoke up. "We now have several advantages." The group stared at him.
"Think about it, they don't know Aang is still alive, they won't be chasing us or tracking us" he started up, Sokka's eyes lighting up.
"Precisely!" He slammed a fist onto his other hand. "And whilst we can't bring as larger force to bear, a smaller unit will be harder to track and will be less expected."
"Not to mention the Day of Black Sun" Tenten reminded them. "If we can strike quickly and without warning we should be able to make up for the fact that we've lost quantity, we'll just have to keep the quality!"
The conversation was interrupted when an alarm bell started ringing out through the harbour. The group turned, looking towards the entrance to the bay, the rolling, azure, waves and creaking wooden ships with blue Water Tribe symbols gave way to the crashing white of bow waves and heavy, metal battleships. Fireballs launched high into the air, the battleship's catapults being used to full effect. Some came crashing down onto the Water Tribe ships, one being split in two and sinking as the fireball drove through it like a hot knife through butter. Water Tribe warriors quickly disembarking, jumping off into the cold waters of the bay as more and more fireballs rained down. Some missing and plummeting into the cool waters of the bay, some crashing into the other wooded ships, panic and screams carrying throughout the bay. Other catapult launched projectiles fell down onto the gleaming sands of the bay, scattering the men stationed there, turning sand to glass and burning down the camps. Water rose up from the bay, water whips and icey projectiles went flying towards the metal of the Fire Nation, though they broke and shattered against them generally harmlessly.
A few benders launched themselves forward, propelling themselves with their bending up and onto the ships, waves and whips following them. Fire Nation soldiers being thrown off the decks of their ships, fire and water crashing together as steam started to settle down on the bay.
"We don't have time to save everyone now, we need to get Aang out!" Shikamaru announced, Katara nodding in agreement.
"Our best chance is to take over one of the Fire Nation ships and to escape under the confusion." Sokka continued as the group made to move, Katara and Sokka taking Aang to Appa and launching up into the air, grabbing Toph as Appa went up slightly. A few dozen smaller fireballs arced through the air, causing Appa to let out a cry and dive down slightly. The fire benders on the ships approaching the bays, launching their own, smaller fire projectiles and they could see one battle ship approach a smaller Water Tribe vessel, a torrent of fire from the benders at the prow blasting it out, making the water and ice defences shrivel away pitifully. The Water Tribe manning their vessel jumped over the sides, powering away over the water as their ship was reduced to ash. The battle ship continued, the metalwork at the front breaking through the ice forming around it, trying to slow it down before it crashing through another ship, launching smaller fireballs from its sides in volleys, setting decks and sails ablaze.
The group charged forwards, Appa flying low to avoid attention and anymore fire as they charged towards the bay.
"There that one!" Sokka cried, pointing to a battleship in the distance, rocking back and forth on the rolling waves at the rear of the Fire Nation fleet. Appa climbed slightly, flying off, soaring just a few meters over the Fire Nation battleship approaching the shore, Katara bending the water up and sweeping the catapults off the deck, stopping it's barrage as Toph reached out, the battleship shuddering as the metal of the deck broke and sheared, scuttling the ship and coursing the Fire Nation crew to jump out, where they were promptly caught up and encased in ice.
More and more Fire Nation battleships where reaching the shore however, only a few more barrages from catapults falling as the decrease in big targets became more and more apparent, smoke and fire filling the bay almost as much as steam as a large catapult shot met with a moving barrier of water, robbing it of its momentum and quenching the projectile. Water Tribe warriors burst through their barrier, their machetes and clubs and spears meeting the swords and pikes of the Fire Nation troops. Battle cries could be heard even over the roaring fire and bellowing of commands.
Hakoda ran towards a nearing Fire Nation officer, leading the charge towards the group still on the bay. He rammed his shoulder into his abdomen, flipping him easily over his shoulder and letting the two Water Tribe members behind him dispatch him with ease. Rock Lee jumped up, delivering a crushing roundhouse kick to an approaching pikemen, sending him flying into a couple more of his unit and speeding through the rest of the unit. The second line fell into disarray as Tenten's exploding tags broke their formation, allowing Shikamaru to slip and quickly dispatch them with his taijutsu.
Tenten jumped over another line of Fire Nation skirmishers, using ninja wire to trip them up and bind them helpless, the water tribe following them knocking them out with ease. More of them approached, their swords at the ready, only to be met by Hakoda, Bato and a line of Water Tribe spearmen, descending on them and wiping them out with their ferocity.
They were reaching the shore now, water lapping around the Fire Nation meeting them, waves unsettling the combatants as they assailed their ankles.
A catapult shot slammed down only a few feet from them, kicking up sand and sending a unit of Water Tribe spearmen flying. The Fire Nation skirmishers tried to capitalize on this by trying to bend fire up and towards the charging heroes, only to freeze in place, the shadows going wild from the firey projectile having suddenly gone wilder. Their eyes went wide with fear as they tried to move and Rock Lee's kicks and Tenten's kunai dispatched the frozen warriors whilst the Water Tribe tried to recover.
Looking back on the bay the red of Fire Nation was overpowering the blue of Water Tribe, fluttering, tattered banners burning in the breeze and thick smog. Fire Nation skirmishers being taken down by ferocious Water Tribe spearmen, before regimented Fire Nation pikemen advanced, their weapons falling down, chopping into the water tribe ranks. Fire Benders in the middle of their ranks sending crashing fireballs into weakening water shields. Water Tribe warriors were blasted back from the fire, before a crashing water kraken smashed through the regimented pikes, knocking soldiers every way conceivable before bolts of lightning struck into it, the water bender inside screaming as he fell down.
"We can't save them, we need to go" Shikamaru announced, putting a hand onto Hakoda's shoulder as he nodded.
"You're right let's go"
They turned, the water tribe benders creating ice platforms for the ones that couldn't and sped off towards the ship highlighted by Sokka. Fire blasts streaking into the air from it as they could just about make out the catapults, impaled by metal through the thick smog.
Hakoda turned to the three ninja.
"You three need to hop on!" he announced as a couple more ice skiffs speed off towards the designated battleship, fireballs crashing down from the towering battleships nearby, causing them to veer left and right, one being hit and disappearing in an explosion of steam, the Water Tribe on it going flying and crashing into the water of the bay. The three ninja motioned at him.
"Go on! We'll catch up!" Tenten yelled as Lee kicked away a couple of Fire Nation brandishing swords at them, Shikamaru taking advantage of the shadows appearing from the fire being bent towards him to instantly capture benders, forcing them to send fire blasts away from him and into approaching pike lines. Afterwards he quickly used his shadow strangle jutsu to remove them from the battle, Lee and Tenten watching his back as he did so.
The Water Tribe warriors were in awe of their three allies, but didn't have time to question them as a catapult blast hit feet away from Hakoda and Bato's ice skiffs, causing the waves to rock them and nearly knock them out. The ninja nodded and the water benders on board soon were blasting the hastily created skiffs away and nimbly moving them between the Fire Nation battleships. One launching their skiff into the air and sliding across a deck of a battleship trying to block it, Bato's skiff quickly speeding around the prow of the ship as Hakoda and a couple of spear men struck out, sending Fire Nation soldiers flying over the sides of their ship. A quick water strike took out the ships boiler, leaving it sitting motionless and helpless in the bay.
Tenten sent out a large collection of explosive tags and kunai, blowing up a decent part of the beach and sending rank upon rank of Fire Nation soldier's airbourne. Causing a few to turn and look at them, clutching their weapons with worry at the piles of Fire Nation bodies covering the ground near the remaining warriors.
"Time to leave" Shikamaru announced, backing towards the beach, moving to run onto the water and speeding off with Lee following after, easily overtaking and jumping and flipping over the deck of the disabled battleship. He landed near Hakoda who was just as surprised as Bato when Shikamaru ran past him over the water.
"The surrounded and partially captured Water Tribe forces cheered as their saw their leaders and allies get away, knowing that if they got away then there was still hope, fighting suddenly harder and breaking out of their bonds in the chaos caused by the Ninja's departure. Tenten primed a final trap on the beach, before leaving to join her comrades, a cacophony of explosions ringing out as a couple of skirmisher units tried to follow, disabling them and the results smoke from the explosions obscuring her and causing the fire benders following to let out curses. Eventually being drowned out by a reinvigorated water tribe spear unit.
Smoke started to rise from the battle ships as the ninja attacked them briefly on their way to the entrance to the bay. Leaving a few explosives on the side of a ship, the pressure waves sending water spraying up to the heavens as the metal rent and broke, shattering and letting water rush in to sink it.
The water spray was appreciated by nearby water bender strike teams, moving through the battle ships, quickly drawing it out to encase a battle ship in thick layers of ice, rendering it immobile before another strike team quickly moved on, sliding up the ice to land on the deck, sweeping soldiers and sailors off the stranded ship with large whips and torrents of water. Fire blasts and water shots roared through the battle ships as Water Tribe strike teams made to remove reinforcements and went to move back to the bay, wanting to help their embattled comrades.
The three ninja made it to the target battle ship just after Hakoda and his Water Tribe team did. Running up the sides of the deck, another thing the amazed Water Tribe warriors would question if time allowed.
Katara and Toph had made easy work of the catapults and Fire Nation garrison, though reinforcements were trying to join them from below deck. Sokka clubbed a swordsmen on the head, knocking him off the edge of the ship as Hakoda joined the fray, grabbing a nearby pikemen and knocking him out quickly, throwing him forwards as the terrified soldier clutched desperately to his weapon as Hakoda lifted him. Knocking him out as he slammed him onto the deck.
"Try not to damage the armour! We're going to need it!" he roared, brandishing his newly acquired pike and knocking out a string of swordsmen, throwing it towards another pikeman and pinning him to the metal of the ship. Team Avatar nodded and quickly made their way through the approaching Fire Nation soldiers. Knocking them out with ease with their respective skills and soon the stripped soldiers and sailors were being lowered into the sea on captured Fire Nation boats. The ship turning and quickly powering its way out of the bay as they pulled on the Fire Nation uniforms. They left the bay just as the sounds of weapons crashing and battle cries started to fade. The smoke billowing out, obscuring the captured Water Tribe warriors and unfurling Fire Nation banners, though Hakoda would be proud, for every Water Tribe warrior that had fallen or been captured, at least five Fire Nation had fallen for it.
The battle ship sailed on, parting the water in front of it as a Water Tribe militia made his way up from below deck.
"Hakoda, we are running low on supplies, we think these ships were meant to capture and resupply at Chameleon Bay"
"Thank you" Hakoda said returning to the meeting between himself and Team Avatar.
"Before we can do anything else we'll need to get supplies, we won't be able to function for much longer without a fully stocked ship." He paused "not to mention we don't know when we'll be able to resupply with the Fire Nation taking over the Earth Kingdom."
"We can also look for possible recruits in the Earth Kingdom whilst getting supplies." Sokka spoke up. "We've met people who would be valuable allies and if we could get any information on their location or even find them that would be incredible!"
"That's true, we could also pick up medical supplies to help Aang and possibly the rest of us" Tenten spoke up, the sea wind rustling her hair and clothes. The spray of water spurting up onto the deck, showering them in sea water.
"Land!" came the cry of the Water Tribe scout on the top of the battle ship, pointing towards a small Earth Kingdom fishing village on the horizon.
"Alright men!" Hakoda cried out "as much it pains me to say we need to suit up as Fire Nation!" everyone looked at him, clearly not wanting to, but waiting to hear the reasons why. "We can't risk being seen as Water Tribe, even if they are allies they might tell the Fire Nation when they arrive about us, we can not risk this!" He stressed the last few words. The Water Tribe soldiers nodded, quickly pulling on the captured Fire Nation armour, fitting surprisingly well.
The ship powered up to the docks, the smaller Earth Kingdom ships bobbing up and down in the water, their green sails fluttering in the wake of the Fire Nation battleship. The green clothed fishermen looked up nervously at the metal monster now settling in-between them. Hakoda leapt off the side of the ship, his boots, now iron clad, smashing into the wood, causing it to buckle and groan and splinter. The boarding ramp was deployed and a few of his men followed after him, holding the Fire Nation weapons nervously, not wanting to use them on their allies, but not wanting to be attacked either.
"W-what can we do for you?" a nervous man stuttered approaching, adjusting his faded green and cream and gold embellished robes.
"Food… and water and medical supplies." Hakoda replied, trying to use his most commanding, "Fire Nation" voice.
"But, we're just a small village, we can't possible supply you and your ship" came the nervous reply. Hakoda paused, not wanting to demand tribute, but he knew that any actual Fire Nation commander would. He was about to open his mouth to speak when he saw one of his kids friends, Shikamaru he thought his name was approach, muttering something under his breath and wearing Fire Nation Myrmidon armour, a sword hanging from his hip and black and red metal coating his chest, other than the light breast plate he had pauldrons, greaves and gauntlets of the same segmented metal. The red cloth and padding under the jacket obscured the rest of his form and he wouldn't have recognised him if not for both his hair, and the rather lazy way he held himself.
"You wouldn't want to upset the Fire Nation would you?" He asked, Hakoda assuming his eyes narrowed as the mayor took a step back. "We've taken Ba Sing Se, it's only a matter of time before more ships and soldiers come, so it would make sense to seek favour with us now." He tilted his head, the girl, Tenten appeared, also in red and black armour, holding a folded Fire Nation banner. The mayor shuffled his feet awkwardly, weighing his options, but Hakoda's eyes lit up under his helmet in recognition. They were offering the banner to them, if they displayed it then further Fire Nation ships would already think the village was taken and would be less likely to bother with them, or at least raid them if they thought they were a colony.
The mayor nodded his head, but looked worried, other Earth Kingdom men approaching, improvised weapons in their hands and the slight rumbling of the earth.
"Ok, we can offer you the supplies we can spare, but there are bandits nearby who are taking most of our supplies as tribute so if we give everything else to you we'll starve". He flinched, expecting a 'not my problem' from them. Hakoda saw Shikamaru turn to look at him.
"What do you think sir?" he asked, Hakoda figuring neither him nor Tenten would be happy with forcing the village to starve.
"Very well" Hakoda spoke up, his voice commanding. "We'll help you out, to prove that loyalty is rewarded and that no one can stand before us."
The mayor looked shocked, but Hakoda knew the other Earth Kingdom citizens weren't happy with bowing down to them. Shikamaru and Tenten approached, and soon Fire Nation banners were fluttering in the air, signalling the small village as a colony.
He hoped that they had done the right thing and that the village would be safer. He gathered his 'Lieutenants', Shikamaru, Tenten and Sokka on top of a hill overlooking the small village, the masts of their ships and boats taller than the thatched roofs of their houses. Batou was staying with Rock Lee and Toph on the battle ship, as whilst they were powerful fighters, they would attract too much attention and give away that they weren't Fire Nation. Katara had refused to leave Aang's side, and considering how his survival might rely on her presence he certainly wasn't going to command her away, even if she would follow the command.
"What's the plan sir?" Tenten asked, completely in character, Shikamaru shifted his weight from one foot to the other, looking up at the sky as Sokka fiddled with the straps of his red armour. He saw more of his men, concealed within Fire Nation uniforms behind them, grasping the metal swords and pikes of the Fire Nation who had occupied their ships.
"We need to help out the village, we can't let the bandits terrorise them" he paused. "Of course from a selfish, 'Fire Nation' reason we need those supplies." His men nodded. "We can't spend a lot of time here though as we need to make sure we don't get caught, especially considering what we're carrying."
Shikamaru spoke up saying what Hakoda didn't.
"We also can't risk losing any of you." He spoke up. "We have few enough numbers as it is, that's why we want you to focus on getting the supplies out and leave most of the fighting to me and Tenten and Sokka" Hakoda nodded at Shikamaru.
"That's correct! Remember our objectives here." He paused. "Though Sokka, I'd prefer if you lead the men in getting the supplies, I'll help the other two out with distracting the bandits." Sokka looked ready to reply, but Hakoda interrupted him. "I can't risk losing you, besides, you easily have the command and leadership to ensure that half of the mission is successfully completed.
They moved out at his command, his son nodding at him, his head held high. Their boots hitting the ground and the sound of metal hitting metal filled the air as they marched towards where they'd heard the bandits hideout was. They kept their eyes on the trees, lining the earth path however, branches hanging low and getting in the way of both pikes and the sun. They were nervous, not only where the fighting with unfamiliar armour and weapons, but they might also get their cover blown. Added to that was the unspoken fear that this was a trap and that they would have Earth Kingdom villages, or worse soldiers attack them.
They were rather surprised however, when the spiked, wooden ramparts of a fort appeared down the third earth side path they went down, wild flowers and trees and bushes growing around the wooden walls. Moss coating the wooden logs. The heavy wooden gate barred the path and Hakoda signalled to his men to stop.
"What's the plan sir?" he head from behind him and he considered his options. His men were good and his allies powerful, but a direct assault seemed foolhardy considering their low numbers, most of them still at the village and ship.
"If I may sir?" he heard the lone female voice of the party. "Shikamaru and I could sneak over the wall and open the gate, this would then allow you and the others to rush in. They could steal back the supplies and sabotage the fort whilst we hold off the bandits, if we wreck their camp they'll most likely move on."
"Especially if they think the Fire Nation is moving in, why risk combatting a battle ship when there will be easier targets in land." Sokka carried on. "I don't like, but we can't afford to engage them to take them out as we don't know how many of them there are. If we can great, but failing that scattering them would also fulfil our objectives.
"Alright, sounds like a plan" he turned to the dozen men behind him. "You hide with Sokka and when the gates are opened focus on finding the supplies and getting them out, sabotaging the fort is then the next priority and try to only engage if you have to." The men nodded and slinked, as quietly as they could, into the nearby foliage. Hakoda himself made his own way into the bushes and peered out, crouching next to Sokka. The bushes swaying in the wind as they watched the dirt path and sturdy oak gate doors wearily. The heavy brass on the doors creaking slightly in the wind. The flutter of fabric of banners from a nearby guard tower filled the air as they crept closer to be in position. They could see a few sentries now, some on podiums behind the wall, a couple on the guard tower.
He wasn't sure how their two allies were going to handle this, though he trusted them. After all they had been certainly been capable at Chameleon Bay.
He saw branches creaking and dipping slightly, Sokka muttering how he still didn't know how they could move without making noise.
Shikamaru moved onto the tree bordering the fort. The sturdy oak offered a great vantage point, with plenty of leaves obscuring him and branches to hide on. He looked over as he saw Tenten vault up the branches, further moving up the tree. There was a pause for just a moment before she leaped into the air, chakra reinforcing her feet as she flipped in the air, ninja wire arcing out on kunai, slamming into the wood of the guard tower. He moved as well, hopping over the wooden palisade and landing in a crouch on the other side. He grabbed a bandit's head on his way, pulling him off the palisade as he looked up at the sight of Tenten in the air. Yanking the bandit guard onto the ground, knocking him out cold.
Shikamaru moved through the wood cabins, slinking his way around the log buildings. Catching a couple of guards unaware with his shadow, quickly strangling them with his shadow and leaving them unconscious and slumped against the wall and their spears. He sprinted out, grabbing a spear and moving towards the warning bell in the middle of the camp behind the fort walls, quickly disabling it and moving on. He heard a gasp from the watch tower, but before they could shout they found a naginata around their throat, being pressed against it as Tenten took him out, letting him collapse down to join his other two companions. He nodded his thanks to her, moving towards the gate. He heard Tenten land on the ground as he moved, only his enhanced senses alerting him to her movements. She threw out some kunai, the guards on the podiums near the gates falling down and crashing onto the ground.
He reached the gates seconds later, shifting the wooden beams barring it and pushing the gate open. The wood groaned and the brass creaked, but the doors shifted, letting light flood into the shadow behind the wall.
Tenten twirled her Naginata as the remaining patrolling guards moved towards him, brandishing their weapons and letting out battle cries. Most of them fell short as they were quickly dispatched by Konoha's weapon mistress. The blade cutting through the straps of one guard's armour before she rammed the haft back into the chest of a guard approaching her from behind, flipping up and around it to kick away both of the guards, her weapon spinning in the air before she grabbed it and spun it round, smashing it into a charging guards head.
The Water Tribe moved in, Hakoda throwing a spear at one of the bandits running away, pinning him to a wall of a cabin. Sokka led the dozen Water Tribe warriors in, moving up behind him, quickly searching the cabins, some fights breaking out as they encountered bandits resting, quickly taking them out and moving on. The ninja looked up as they heard battle cries, with answering cries coming from smaller log cabins. There was a large storehouse, the guards outside having been taken out, but next to it was a larger cabin. A larger cabin it turned out that held the leader and his lieutenants who were all much better armed and armoured then the grunts. Shikamaru and Tenten rushed to their aid, finishing the remaining guards near them and setting traps on the nearby, now empty cabins, knowing it would be weird for a Fire Nation party to attack and for nothing to be set on fire. The fact that it would help scatter the bandits also made them set a couple of empty cabins and tents alight.
Hakoda met the bandit leader head on. He was a heavy set man, cropped brown hair with a dark green padded jacket, well-worn and battered armour plating on top of it. He was flanked by a couple of his men wielding spears, also wearing faded green padded jackets and metal plating on top of it. Hakoda's blade met the sword of the bandit leader who grinned at him.
"Going to be nice to kill me some Fire Nation cronies as well, bet you'll have some great food and loot with you, much better than that worthless village."
Hakoda replied with another two lighting quick attacks, one to the leaders shoulder, being blocked by his sword and his second attack bounced off the bracer on the leader's other side. One of the leader's lieutenants went to the store house, spinning his spear around and sweeping the Water Tribe warrior running out carrying a box of supplies. He moved in afterwards, not moving to finish the man, leaving that to the remaining grunts who were quickly engaged by other Water Tribe warriors, they few who still had the Fire Nation Pikes quickly discarding them in favour of their swords, driving back the bandits with the superior training and armour and weaponry. The bandit leader grabbed his axe and drove at Hakoda with his weapons, making him step back on the defensive. The lieutenant at his side lowered his spear into a long grip and lunged as Hakoda's leg.
It stopped however when Shikamaru grabbed it, hiding the fact that his shadow and intercepted the bandit's for a brief second to throw him off his strike. Shikamaru pushed back, sending the bandit back a few steps, moving forwards himself and drawing his sword, striking out quickly, causing the bandit to shorten his grip, moving his hands forwards on the wooden shaft and blocking his leg strike with the blade and the shoulder blow with the spear's haft.
"Tenten, check on Sokka!" Hakoda cried, the ninja in question nodding as she ran past them, slipping into the darkness of the storehouse. The remaining bandits couldn't do much more then force the Water Tribe warriors away from helping their commanders. Hakoda grimaced as a couple of heavy blows slammed down onto his guard, missing his usual armaments, though he knew that he should be able to fight with anything. He slipped past the leader's guard, past his minimal striking distance, grabbing the fat leader's sword hand and his other hand moved to the wooden haft of his axe. Immobilising his weapons and slamming his helmeted head down onto his forehead. He heard the leader's nose crunch and blood flew up onto his helmet. The bandit leader stumbled back slightly, dropping his axe, but he charged forward again after a quick grimace, grabbing Hakoda and using his bulk to swing the Water Tribe leader around and throwing him to the ground.
Shikamaru was struggling as well, he wasn't used to using a sword or even being in close combat, much preferring the mid-range. He made the best of the situation however, using the sword as an extension of his arm, striking over and over, not letting the bandit in front of him attack as he kept him in a whirlwind of steel. The bandit jumped back and grinned, bringing the spear down, finally able to use the reach of the weapon. He thrust forward a few times, quickly thrusting and then moving into a hack, causing Shikamaru to dodge and deflect off his spear, the bandit using his greater stamina and familiarity of close combat to his advantage.
Meanwhile inside the store house Tenten rushed in to Sokka's aid, the candles flickered slightly as Sokka bravely stood over a downed Water Tribe warrior, the corridor wasn't small enough to limit the bandit's spear, but it wasn't large enough to give Sokka enough room to move around him.
Sokka twisted his hips, moving his centre left and right, deflecting two lighting quick blows from the bandit. He tried to move for a thrust, but the spear haft was moved up, the blade going down towards the warrior on the floor and the head of the spear drove towards Sokka's head. Tenten had had enough and engaged, her naginata twirled as she effortlessly sent it soaring into the side of the bandit's head. A sick crunching sound could be heard and the bandit was soon crumpled against the log wall to his side, blood oozing down from his head.
"C'mon lets go" Tenten said, Sokka nodding in agreement, picking up the downed warrior and moving out.
"We've got the last of the supplies out" he said, letting Tenten know it was safe to sabotage the cabin, setting it up with explosive tags.
She emerged back outside to see Shikamaru get driven back, using his shoulder and arm armour to deflect spear blows, his sword barely able to keep the bandit away. He moved back, hitting into the wooden storehouse. The bandit grinned, but Shikamaru nodded at Tenten, before diving out of the way. Just in time it turned out as an explosion rocked the cabin, the resulting pressure waves sending wooden splinters blasting out in all directions, the bandit who had thought he was driving Shikamaru was sent sprawling backwards, his comrade landing on top of him, his armour rent.
The bandit leader seemed unconcerned about his followers all being defeated as he carried on advancing on Hakoda. Hakoda jumped back, looking around quickly, gathering the situation. The bandits still on their feet where gathering up their comrades and fleeing into the woods, scattering as their fort burned. The red hot flames licking at their retreating backs. The leader either didn't take in what was happening or didn't care as he carried on, raining blows down on Hakoda who was hard pressed to bring his stolen blade up to defend himself.
'Time to finish this' he thought as he could see his warriors getting out, Sokka and the two ninja hanging around to help out if needed. Before they could do anything however the bandit leader swung both his axe and sword at Hakoda, who this time simply readjusted his footwork and swept his blade up in a guard, scooping the axe this time he swung from his core, his blade and the leader's axe travelling round and slamming into the leader's other sword. With both of his opponent's weapons out of the way Hakoda rushed in, barrelling into the leader and quickly downing him.
He nodded to the remaining team mates.
"Alright, let's get these supplies back to the village". They in turn nodded, and the four quickly made their way out of the fort.
They strode through the forest the supplies and wounded on a liberated, not stolen, cart. The wooden wheels bounced on the dirt path and random stones, causing the two men on top of it to let out gasps. They were stopped from celebrating too much however as they moved through the shadowy trees towards the village as they came across a felled tree blocking their path.
"It's just not our day." Hakoda said, letting out a groan, his men chuckling slightly.
"We're being watched" Tenten said, her eyes roaming the treelines and flickering foliage. An earthen bolder appeared out of nowhere, travelling towards Hakoda as earth built up around the cart's wheels trapping it. Tenten stepped forward, drawing her sword before Hakoda could react and sliced the earthen projectile in two. As the Water Tribe members plus allies looked on some of the Earth Kingdom men of the village appeared, some grasping pitchforks and clubs, two of them with boulders hovering near them.
"We'll be taking our supplies back now." The one in front stated, trying to glare at Hakoda. Hakoda simply sighed.
"Stand aside, we helped you."
The Earth Kingdom citizens didn't move.
"It's so troublesome pretending to be the enemy." Shikamaru let out. They dropped into combat stances as the villagers advanced, the pitchforks being driven forward quickly, the Fire Nation pikes quickly being trapped in the prongs and were forced into the ground. The concealed Water Tribe warriors gladly let go of the stolen weapons, much preferring their other armaments.
Before violence could break out through the mayor appeared, the villagers stopping as they looked at their leader.
"Before we attack them, we should at least find out if they plan to double cross us" he said, looking Hakoda in the eye. The Water Tribe elder sighed and gestured to the cart.
"We only mean to take enough to keep our ship supplied, everything else is yours." The villagers eyed them with suspicion but the mayor approached.
"Don't just stand there!" he cried out to his people. "They rid us of the bandits, now you can shift your weight and help an old man carry this stuff back to the village, I'm sure these people have somewhere to be." The villagers jumped to attention, some of them sending nervous looks at both the concealed heroes as well as the smoke rising from further down the path.
The villagers scurried off with the regained supplies but the mayor hung around, just slightly longer.
"You were good, but far too kind for the traditional Fire Nation commander" he whispered as he passed Hakoda, the last box of the villager's supplies in his hands.
Hakoda glanced at the mayor.
"When did you figure it out?"
"You're good, but the kids with you, they stick out too much as non-Fire Nation." He smiled at Hakoda. "Most people wouldn't care, but us older folk, we notice these things. He moved to the tree before turning around and motioning to a previously unseen dirt track.
"That will take you straight back to the docks, it hasn't been used for quite some time, but it will probably be easier then moving the tree or getting your cart through the main village."
With that he moved past the tree with surprising ease for a man of his age.
The group watched him move off as they let out a sigh of relief.
"I don't think I'm cut out for Fire Nation command" Hakoda joked, getting a laugh from his men.
The water lapped up against the metal of the battle ship as Hakoda and his men rushed the supplies onto the ship, quickly filled the galley and hold and medical bay, the two wounded men sleeping off their injuries. They didn't waste too much time before leaving, powering away from the village, trying their best to make off as conquerors as they noticed more Fire Nation battleships on the horizon.
Sokka poured over a map in the captain's quarters, pointing out a route through Serpent's pass that would quickly get them away from the approaching Fire Nation fleets. When Hakoda asked about the fabled serpent that gave the pass its namesake Tenten and Rock Lee shared an awkward glance.
They spent a good half an hour with Sokka and Hakoda and Shikamaru discussing their options and battle plans, Rock Lee moving to run around the ship as training and Tenten made to check up on their armoury.
The three tacticians were interrupted however by Tenten rushing in, telling them that they had stowaways on the ship.
They rushed out onto the deck, quickly seeing what the problem was. There were two Earth Kingdom natives standing on the middle of the deck, backing away towards the prow of the ship. One young, small boy and his much larger friend backed away from the, in their opinion, Fire Nation soldiers, brandishing swords and fists, though their armour and clothes had seen much better days.
They knocked the weapon out of one of the hands of the warriors before Sokka pushed through the crowd.
"The Duke? Pipsqueak?" he asked, his helmet falling to the deck as his eyes locked onto the two Earth Kingdom freedom fighters.
"Sokka?" came their reply, the fight stilling as the two observed each other, suddenly rushing at each other.
"It is you!" they all cried at the same time.
The Water Tribe warriors soon moved away as Sokka and Katara, who was dragged out from sitting next to Aang all day, explained and introduced the freedom fighters to the newer members of Team Avatar, explaining all that had happened at Ba Sing Se and their adventures and plans. The two Earth Kingdom natives nodding and agreeing to help out with the invasion, being recruited by Hakoda.
The rest of the day passed by relatively quietly as they got practice in manoeuvring the bigger battle ship and familiarised themselves with acting the part of the Fire Nation fleet as they moved past the other ships.
The peace was shattered as night fell as everyone was brought from their own things by a thud, followed by a
"Momo?"
Their explanation of what had happened and of the current updated plan to Aang was interrupted by a Fire Nation battle ship on the horizon. Its horn blared as it approached.
"I'll handle this" Aang declared, wanting to redeem himself as he readied his glider, he tried to disguise the flinch of pain that followed, but he didn't manage to fool anbody.
"Aang wait. Remember they don't know we're not Fire Nation" Katara spoke up, grabbing Aang's arm. He glanced at her, sweat dripping from his brow.
Hakoda appeared with Bato, fully armoured up.
"Everyone stay calm. Bato and I will take care of this." Bato nodded and adjusted his Helmet along with Hakoda. The Duke and Pipsqueak quickly hid Appa as Toph grabbed Aang and dragged him to the inside staircase, making sure he was hidden, Sokka, Katara and Lee joining them shortly afterwards. Tenten and Shikamaru stayed on the deck, making sure their armour obscured them, just in case they were identifiable. The metal drawbridge was lowered and two Fire Nation officers moved across onto the stolen ship.
"Commander, why are you off course? All Western Fleet ships are supposed to be moving toward Ba Sing Se to support the occupation."
"Actually, we're from the Eastern Fleet. We have orders to deliver some cargo."
"Ah Eastern Fleet. Well, nice of Admiral Chan to let us know he was sending one of his ships our way."
"I am sure Admiral Chan meant no disrespect sir.
"I mean, how hard is it to write a quick note and send a hawk our way?"
"Next time we'll send two hawks to be sure you get the message."
They bowed and went to move on, though the ninja noticed the hushed conversation the other two Fire Nation officers had. They couldn't quite make out the quiet and rushed conversation however. As it turned out they didn't need to as Toph suddenly shouted out.
"They know!" she cried out, thrusting her hand towards the floor, the drawbridge, buckling suddenly and ripping apart, leaving the two Fire Nation officers to fall into the frothing water, along with a large amount of shrapnel. Katara strode out onto the deck, quickly bending up a torrent of water, it spun and frothed, a women made water tunnel erupting between the ships before she thrust her arms, and the torrent forwards, blasting the other battleship back in the water. Hakoda gave the command and the stolen battle ship quickly made for its escape as the water logged officers quickly scaled up the side of their ship.
As the stolen ship was getting away the opposing battle ship recovered and soon a flaming, oil soaked boulder was smashing into the water, feet away from them. Steam rising from the area around the projectile. Another one quickly found its mark, slamming into the side of the stolen battleship, a musical hum reverberating through the ship as it landed home. The group tried to steady themselves as Toph yelled out.
"Load the Toph!" Pipsqueak moved behind her, heaving a giant stone disc over to her. She quickly went through her stances and the stone disc swung up, into the air before flying forwards, it met with a third flaming projectile in the air, smashing it aside easily, crumbling as it did so.
Sokka made sure Aang didn't blow his cover as the rest of the crew made their way to the stolen ships armaments. Another trebuchet opened up fire, the projectile smashing into the water inches away from the stolen ship, causing it to rock unsteadily on the waves. As the Fire Nation manned their balistas, Tenten made it to one on the stolen ship. A few seconds too late she sent out a bolt, scything through the air and reducing a ballista on the opposing ship to so much scrap as their ship rocked again from a chained bolt piercing the hull. The tortured metal screaming as water started to rush in.
"I'll make us some cover!" Katara yelled, a chill soon rising up from their ship as its wound froze over, a chilling mist soon settling over the stretch of ocean turning into a battlefield.
A fireball arced over the ship, making Shikamaru curse about the lack of Neji and his eyes as a look out. The crew on the deck scattering as the flaming boulder smashed into the stack of stone discs, reducing them to rubble.
Another fireball arced through the air, water rising up and snap freezing into a shield of ice as Katara protected her comrades. Another firey projectile smashed down, catching the back of the stolen ship and igniting the engine as one of Tenten's bolt, laden with more explosive tags courtesy of Shikamaru rammed into one of the trebuchets on the enemy ship. The explosion rocking the ship and sending waves crashing away as the siege weapon was destroyed. Katara quickly put out the engine with a quick wave of water.
"How are we doing?" Toph shouted as Tenten launched another bolt, this time with Lee holding onto it, launching himself as a one ninja boarding party towards the Fire Nation ship.
"Thing's couldn't get much worse!" Sokka replied, before the universe promptly proved him wrong. The serpent the pass was named after rose up from the water. Spraying the stolen ship as it towered above them.
"Are you cursed?" Tenten cried
"I don't know, but the universe just loves proving me wrong, doesn't it?!"
"You make it so easy!" Toph cried in response to Sokka. The serpent moved to attack the ship, everyone on board grimacing before it spied Tenten, her helmet knocked off during the conflict. It's eyes widened, almost comically for a monster of its size and it almost looked afraid. Before anyone could question what was going on Tenten jumped up, landing on the terrified sea monster, a puff of smoke appeared and a small steel, spiked ball emerged, flying forward on a chain to hit the incoming fireball, hitting it in just the right place to dissipate it. The Serpent clearly decided at that point that since the scary woman who had caused it so much pain previously was now fighting to defend it that it was much better to join her side, then to try and fight with someone against her… especially when the other someone didn't mind friendly fire. The Serpent turned and the heroes watched, mouths agape as it sped towards the other ship, water flying up and away as it was parted quickly. It dove just before ramming the Fire Nation ship, Tenten jumping off and sweeping her far too large flail around, wiping at least ten men off the deck. The Serpent appeared moments later, wrapping around and immobilising the ship as Lee appeared in a whip of wind and leaves, another ten Fire Nation grunt level soldiers falling down in crumpled heaps.
"What on Earth…" Sokka muttered, the whole ship quiet and thus hearing his comment as they all sat there, their mouths on the floor.
"We should get out of here now!" Shikamaru cried, causing the crew to start and run about the deck, fixing up the ship and getting them reading to move, Katara snap freezing off the chain of the harpoon even as another explosion from the Fire Nation ship rendered another ballista as scrap.
As they made their way away the silence was broken by a cheerful sounding Toph.
"Anyone mind explaining to me what cause all your jaws to hit the deck?"
The group looked down from Appa, scouring the countryside as they neared the Fire Nation, catching a glimpse of Aang lying face down in the shallows. Momo jumped off and glided down to meet him, licking at his face and causing him to stir. Appa landed nearby, Sokka bringing him down as Katara gleefully jumped off and ran to meet the Avatar.
"You're ok!" She cried hugging him tightly. The rest of the party joined soon after.
"I have so much I have to do" Aang replied, breaking away after a moment. Taking in the faces of his friends. Sokka, Katara, Toph, Tenten, Rock Lee and Tenten met his gaze with determination.
"We know, but you'll have our help" Katara replied, the others nodding in agreement.
"You didn't think you could get out of training just by coming to the Fire Nation did you?" Toph joked, punching the Avatar's arm
"What about the invasion?"
"We'll join up with my dad and the invasion force on the day of the eclipse" Sokka replied, "though I have to tell you about Tenten's new pet!" Tenten let out a groan and playfully punched Sokka as he told them about how she had come surfing back to them with the Serpent, Lee on his back as well. It had taken some convincing, but apparently the feared Serpent was now protecting and helping out Hakoda's ship.
Aang's jaw was placed back into place as Toph's bending picked something up.
"Hey, what's…" she let out, grabbing Aang's broken and burnt glider out of the water. "Oh… it's your glider" she let out, handing the pieces glumly to Aang.
"That's ok" he replied as the group all stood up. "If someone saw it, it would give away my identity. It's better for now that no one knows I'm alive" he turned and jumped up, onto a pile of land untouched by the nearby lava. He spun his wooden companion around before striking it into the ground. The group mounted Appa solemnly and flew off as the lava claimed the left glider moments later.