Chapter 6 Night in Day
We have arrived to this final day. Whatever happens next, starts a new chapter in my county's history. The Day of the Black Sun, the invasion of the Fire Nation Capital. Sokka has been studying maps since yesterday. Toph sits on a rock bored. Aang was very nervous and I hug him on the spur of the 's been planning this for months, and he was very jumpy. I tell him that he'll do fine and will win. He started the day with a cheerful "Top of the morning." I did not know how to respond to that. He looks off to the side. "I'm ready to face the Fire Lord."
Toph hops off her rock, "So, ¿any ideas? You going to hit him with the light show." She punches the air to illistrate her point. Aang stares at his feet. Uh, that's not good.
Aang sighs. "I can't go into the Avatar state because Azula shot her lightning at me. It hit my seventh chakra point which I did not unlock so I am cut off from the energy of the universe."
Toph laughs. "All any of us heard was spiritual nonsence and something about space."
Sokka points out the fog that rolled in over night. "Good thing I am here to keep it real. The invasion fleet is coming through see." He points to several boats sailing out of the mist. He turns to me. "I know this is hard for you but this needs to happen for your nation's future. Also you are Earth Kindgdom. No one can know your real nationality. For your safety, no bending."
A tall imposing man with bright blue eyes and short dark hair hops of the lead boat. He introduces himself as Southern Water Tribe Chief Hadoka, Sokka and Katara's father. He addresses the crowd. "Ok, here's the plan. Stage one: Naval. Stage two: Landing and Palace assult." Taps the map. "Our only real obsticle is here. When this is over, The Avatar will have defeated the Fire Lord. The Fire Nation Capital will be ours and we win this war!" The invasion force cheers. I see why Hadoka is the chief. Some sharpen weapons. I look into their eyes and see nothing but bloodlust. Sokka is right about both. I need to view this in a different light and my origin.
"The Great Gates of Azulon. Built in year Azulon 4 to prevent invasions like this one. Two dragon statues with one of Azulon in in the middle. A net comes out of the dragons' mouths and the guards then light the whole thing on fire."
A man about Hadoka's age turns to face me. "Miss, you are very knowledgeable about this subject. You must be a colonist then. My name is Bato by the way."
Sokka then steps forward to address the army. "Ok thank you all for coming. I have the plans on this map." He panicks. "Ugh, wrong map sorry. No I have it here, somewhere." Sokka is a brilliant at what he does. That list does not include public speaking. Honestly I really don't know how it could have gone worse. You have to show confidence. Especially when leading the most dangerous mission in a century.
I meet the rest of the group. A lot are around my age. There's Haru an earthbender teenager from a small village in the Earth Kingdom. Katara and him are very friendly. The rest of my unit is Teo, the Duke, and Pipsqueak. Teo is a nice boy in a wheelchair who lives in the Northern Air Temple. I am very interested in hearing more about that. The Duke and Pipsqeak are opposite what you think. The Duke is tiny and the other is a giant. They are also original members oftheFreedom Fighters.
I find it amazing that Aang and his friends from around the world would risk everything and attack the centre of the Fire Nation. Also very unsettling as I had no clue of the deep hatred the rest of the Nations had for mine. Sokka in particular seemed very excited to fight the Fire Nation Army on Home Soil. He isn't the only one. Most are Southern Water Tribe wearing sky blue heavy armor with wolf head helmets. Ok those look awesome. Then there are two guys dressed in bark and plant helmets. The invasion fleet was designed by Sokka and built by Teo's dad, whom everybody calls the Mechanic. It's fricken genius. You cannot go through the gates, so instead you go under them in undersea boats.(Seriously does he have an actual name? I don't remember us every finding out. That is what U-boat stands for btw Unterseeboot)
The submarines are incredible. After sailing under the Gates of Azulon, we reach the port. It is guarded by a series of locks, which are sealed. It's a two level defense system. Hadoka gives the command and ice incased explosives launch out of tubes. The locks are reduced to rubble. Now come the very intense part. "Here we go. It's going to be a bumpy ride." A few moments of crazy steering later. "Earth benders to your tanks." I follow Haru and this old guy who turns out to be his father into these long thin machines. It is too dark to get a good look. Wow and I thought the subs were incredible. It's official the other nations are equal to mine. Because of the incredible danger, I am lent an Earth Kingdom uniform. It is weird wearing green and tan instead of red and black. I know basic swordplay. Physical education is a 45-minute class right before lunch.
In school we learned that our Nation was the most advanced and prosperous in the world and we had a duty to share that with the rest of the "uncivilized" Nations. That was a total lie; the truth of what actually has been going on for the past century is very sickening. It is very traumatic when your entire worldview collapses and is proven wrong in an instant. Honestly I don't know what to think or do anymore. No seriously what would you do when you find out that you have been lied to by your own nation and its military your entire life. To me, this is about restoring my nation, not destroying it.
Fun fact: I have never been to Capital City. Very creative name by the way, I know. It is technically two separate cities: Harbour City and Royal Caldera City. Harbour City is the port and industrial sector, with mainly lower and middle class residents in two neighbourhoods in the north and south. Royal Caldera City is built inside a massive ancient caldera and is where the main buildings, Royal Palace, Fire Temple, and the upper middle class and elite live and work. Space and flat land are in short supply as it's very hilly with steep, narrow streets. The local architecture is the standard fire nation look of white stone and red terra-cotta tile roofs.
I have been practicing my firebending so I'm not completely useless, thank you very much. I can do fire blasts, block fire, and fire blades. Earlier Aang assigned me to the tanks in attacking the Home Guard defending the Capital. I think he wanted me out of the really dangerous mission in confronting the Fire Lord. Aw, but that's what makes it fun. The earth tanks were awesome. They are 5 meters long. The outside is all metal with stone treads. The interesting part is it is designed in flexible interconected sections like a catepillar. I am in the gunner position. Haru and his dad take their places on treads. My station has a crossbow and several bolts. I have never fired one, but I know all I have to do is point and shoot.(5m = 16.4 ft)
Ok I see now, Aang might have a point. The Home Guard is after us. I can feel the earth shaking from the treads of the tundra tanks. The landing went great after we passed under the Gates of Azulon. The net only extended above the surface. The Fire Nation, in our arrogance did not think anyone could match our technology. News flash, the rest of the world isn't stupid. I know the Navy was confused by the lack of people on the boats. We took off in water bending powered submarines. These things are so cool. There are many issues, but what else do you expect with prototypes.
Storming the beach was insane. Tundra tanks, Special Forces and regular troops all firing their weapons at us. I pressed on trying not to look how some bodies around me did not get up. This plant monster wrecks the tundra tanks. It was like a child playing with their toys. The possibility of dying at thirteen was very real. Steel and arrows ping off my ride. My crossbow works like magic. I am not dressed for combat. My standard outfit of marron shirt and black shorts is not armor. I do have a set, but that is at home. The stuff I am wearing doesn't fit right. Adrenaline is amazing though. Oh yea and the tank thing is a massive boost.
The Navy is scratching their heads, but the Army is not. The eclipse hasn't happened yet so the firebending is still on. The best military in the world claim is accurate. We steadily make our way up the wide boulevard straight to the inner city. The Army retreats, having been unprepared for any kind of invasion. Mainly because it has never happened and the state of the Guard isn't the greatest. Most of the real soldiers are deployed overseas. We are being fired upon by ballistas. Sokka and Katara are on Appa taking out the towers. I don't see much just explosions and smoke. No bolts fly my way so, success. My catepillar rumbles on. Haru and his dad are steady drivers. We fight our way onto the cobblestone highway to Caldera. Then it gets a little weird. Resistance vanishes leaving open road. It is a long winding and very steep climb. A few hours later, we arrive at the grand gates of Caldera. Royal Caldera is a bustling city but now it is a ghost town. We march in silence past the red tile buildings to the smooth white marble Palace steps. Covering the floor like this is also standard. This is insane. I've almost died about a dozen times, but have made it to the actual throne room. I never thought in my wildest imagination I would be walking in this space. I am most likely the first Amani Islander to do so. I look around in awe. There is just one small problem with the Avatar vs Fire Lord fight.
AN: Ok, wow. I did not expect this much interest. Or the fact thateverybodyis a graphic artist. I don't know what to do I am sorry. Too many options. I would like to say this story is 100% thought out, but I can't because it is not. I do have a general outline though. This chapter went through a lot of rewrites. The year 4 thing is based on Japanese calendar. The date is based on the current emperor. So, 2025 is Reiwa 7. I did say I was a history major in uni, right? I'll geek out later.