The Remnant's Last Stand Part 1
Ozai has been defeated, yet again at Kecca. Still, word hasn't yet spread to the invasion force at the Fire Nation Capital. Not that it would matter, they will fight on regardless knowing that things can only end in two ways victory or death. Most of them believe that if they fight relentlessly, they will have done their job. Afterall, this battle is bigger than any one of them.
This fight, to the members of the Remnant is more about legacy, revenge, and glory. If they fail, then at least they can say they fought valiantly which is expected of a warrior. But for the national forces defending, the fight is very different. They also are unaware of the outcome of Aang's battle but, many have faith that he won. All they known is what is at stake; their homes, the people their family, and innocent civilians are counting on them to keep their capital intact amidst the chaos.
So, while both sides fight for different reasons, one result remains. The blood and corpses of Fire Nation descendants flows through the heart of what was once a bitter empire all in the conflict that will decide what image this nation will continue to live with for generations to come. Will it be known for change, perseverance, and new ideas or will it be remembered for domination, power, and wrath as it has for the last three generations.
On the island of Kecca, the answer seems obvious but perhaps it isn't. Aang has decided to not intervene in the remainder of this conflict. While his mind could always change, he alone can't change the mind of the people of this country. If the Remnant wins, then Aang putting it down will just lead to more issues further down the line. Because of this, the stakes are still massive and the battle at this stage seems uncertain.
Night fall hits and the sky over the city looks pitch black but orange flickers of light buzz through it as they make a twirling sound before they clash with buildings or the ground below. Smoke pumps in the air, though barely recognizable due to the intense darkness outside. The moon is hardly perceivable as only an 8th of it lights the sky. Wind from explosions knocks several lanterns out darkening several portions of the city.
Residents hide in their room, under their tables, and in other places of shelter as they pray for the bombardments to cease. The streets are filled with the foul smell of burning rubble and flesh. Perhaps even worse, is the fact that being within the city for a couple of hours is enough for people to have become somewhat numb of the stench.
Deep within the center of the municipality, Commander Macai and Princess Azula boldly take on Remnant forces. A few feet behind them are two army swordsmen, a spear warrior, and a firebender. Macai looks ahead cautiously as a seven-foot-tall bald man with dark skin, brown eyes, a massive yet long hammer, and thick battle armor charges after him. The brute swings down vertically at the commander's head, "Beeeeeerrrrrraaaaaahhhhhhhaaaaaah!!'
The twenty-one-year-old young man rolls right then leaps in the air, brightens his right foot with white fire, and pops the man in his ear drum. The heavy trooper's ear does beyond the ringing faze, as Macai's white fire immediately bust it altogether and he unintentionally makes him half deaf. The man turns in even greater rage and lunges at the officer with a horizontal sweeping strike.
Macai rolls yet swiftly springs back up but this heavy trooper is fast and meets him face to face. Macai rolls his eyes in annoyance as the man swings down again at his face. The officer leaps back as the vanguard lunges forward and swings at him again. Macai leaps back a second time but this time he jumps further due to the length of the attack.
The commander pops two flames into the man's arms but that doesn't stop him. Macai follows up by kicking a flame from his right leg into the man's knee and continues by spinning forward and pushing a beam of flames into the man's stomach. The brute flies several feet back before he crushes a rebel swordsman behind him.
As the battle continues another two Remnant swordsman, two spearmen, and three firebenders press Azula and the army unit. An army spearman lunges forward and slides his weapon into a Remnant duelist's gut. Likewise, a Remnant spear warrior extends his weapon into an army swordsman's chest, "Huaaah!"
A Remnant firebender pumps a ray of fire into an army firebender's chest and the poor man screams before he dies. A Remnant spear warrior runs up on the army spearman and stabs the loyal soldier in his belly. The man's legs buckle before he hits the ground. A Remnant swordsman swings right at the army swordsman's neck but the duelist ducks and uppercuts his enemy.
A second later a Remnant firebender punches a nasty stone of flames at his face but Azula flips in front of the trooper and blocks the shot. Remnant Firebender: "Ah, looking to save your last trooper but can you save yourself?!"
Azula smiles and comments, "You really think that's a question."
Remnant firebender, "Awww, feisty are we?" A female Remnant firebender leaps right of Azula's position and a male firebender leaps left of her. The firebender smiles back and bellows, "Good." Azula signals for the army swordsman to flee as two of the firebenders around her knock fire in her direction. Azula flips and spins in the air before she rotates her body and hurls a blue fireball into the man's chest ahead of her, "Ugh!"
As she lands, another two flames are shot at her, but the prodigy easily blocks the shots. The royal flips forward and stands across the remaining male firebender. The man vehemently punches a red fireball at her but the princess, but the princess smoothly rotates right and hurls a light blue fireball into the man's stomach. The man flies back into a wall before Azula hears a thump and he rolls over.
The remaining female firebender looks left and right as she encourages the two male spearmen to assist her. Macai runs behind the left spearman, wraps his hands around the trooper's thigs, and slams him headfirst into the pavement. A second later Azula kicks a swirling stream of fire into the other spear wielding warrior. The soldier flies backward through a window and drops his spear from the hit before leaving a trail of smoke behind him.
The woman tries to think of a counter, but she spends a few too many seconds thinking. Azula swirls her hands forward and pops a cone of blue fire into the woman's chest. Her entire body flops from the shot. The woman lays sideways unconscious. Macai salutes her and Azula high fives him. Macai: "I want more than that."
Azula replies, "Fight harder and you might get it." Macai looks up and notices an archer on a rooftop several meters left and high of their position.
Macai: "Archer, left roof!" Azula leaps right as an arrow is launched directly at the commander. Macai spins right just in time to avoid a shot but Azula looks up and notices another archer on a right rooftop, "Macai, watch your right!" Macai understands the message and a second arrow is launched at him. The commander spins right and catches the arrow.
The left archer aims at him again and shoots but Macai swats it aside with the arrow in his hand. The right archer gasps as he wonders what the hero will do next. Macai lights white sparks into the arrow and hurls it into the left archer's right knee. The man chirps before he falls into a haystack and is set ablaze from the heat that Macai transferred into the arrow "Auuaaaahhh!!"
The other archer loads his arrow again, but Azula pulls her right hand back and generates a glimmer of white electricity. Briefly after, she spins forward and hurls it into the man's left shoulder. The blow knocks the trooper clean off his feet and five feet in the air before he lands on the roof. The man immediately passes out from the intense blow and the feeling in his left arm swiftly leaves him. Fumes flow from his wound which indicate that he isn't getting up anytime soon.
The Cry of the Night
As the battle rages on, General Mak shouts orders at several army troopers as they march into battle. A wave of Remnant troopers rushes forward as two are shot down by two Fire Nation rooftop archers. A volley of spears are tossed from spearmen which impale five Remnant soldiers. One firebender leaps in the air as he looks to get a shot at his enemies but a spear rolls through his chest.
The spearwarriors switch to swords and step aside as firebenders let out a flurry of shots that lays down dozens of Remnant warriors. The Remnant soldiers are forced to fall back as the streets lay in their dead. The army troopers behind to stomp their boots and raise their swords as they celebrate victorious momentum on the upper Eastern front.
The city is laid out in a way that is based on the island that it is located in. The furthermost part of the city is east which extends to the harbor and edge of the island. The island itself is shaped a bit like a slanted U, meaning there is a gap of water separating the north and west eastern parts of the island that extend beyond the capital. The western edge of the island itself faces a large crater which surrounds all areas of the city except for the eastern front which faces the bay.
On the Northwestern front, army units wait on standby as they occasionally send some squads in as reinforcements or relief for other parts of the town which is a similar role to what the Northwestern segment of the town is doing. Some wounded warriors are brought into local infirmaries to heal. Doctors and nurses have their hands full as individuals care for packs of troops.
Healing cream is placed on turns, cuts are bandaged, alcohol is porn on cuts to prevent infection, noticeable splinters are extracted from the skin of soldiers, and several men howl as they face painful treatments. The Chief Health Administrator makes sure supplies from the Water Tribes are taken in. Even outside of their waterbenders which are known for being the best healers in the planet, renowned Watertribe potions are used to treat gruesome lacerations.
Popular Earth Kingdom herbal treatments are also consumed to improve the long-term recovery and short-term comfort of service members. At the Northwest edge of the city, a squad of soldiers stand in front of the massive creator that surrounds the Capital. A swordsman, spearwoman, firebender, lieutenant with a pair of binoculars, and swordsman hold their position.
Army lieutenant (still holding his binoculars): "Well, looks like we are gaining some ground. It will only be a matter of time before their advance fails. The momentum of their mass attack has really died down and I've heard that our counter fleet has grown larger. We now have their fleet boxed in the harbor, but they are still putting up a good fight at this moment. Our forces simply need to wait them out."
The team hears a series of explosions. Army firebender: "Hey, that last one sounded kind of close."
Army lieutenant: "Don't worry, some of those blasts sound a lot closer than they are. The Remnant uses particularly loud and outdated artillery to instill fear. The noise itself is meant to disorient us. But our modern shells and cannons are much more accurate."
Army female spear trooper: "Perhaps we should be less predictable." While they are talking, dozens of Remnant soldiers from Eyre's Regiment stand over the top of the crater. Each one with a elastic device attack to their backs. Their primarily black armor makes them more difficult to see despite the dispersed red markings. They swing down a few feet at a time until they reach ground level and detach their stretchy ropes. The first wave of divers seems to be made up entirely of duelists.
Three swordsmen close in on the squad. Their lighter armor makes them harder to hear than the typical Remnant and Army troopers. One of them runs into a bush and another hides behind a shed as they listen to their enemies talk.
Army swordsman 2: "Well, once this is over it will be quite the story." A 727th swordsman rushes behind the Male swordsman and thrusts his blade right through the man's belly button. The soldier gasps as a sword soaked in blood punctures him.
The lieutenant turns around and drops his binoculars, "Oh no! Defensive positions! Alert the others!" The army firebender turns around but a 727th trooper sprints and cuts him down before he has time to square up. The female spear warrior lunges at the neck of a Remnant trooper heading in her direction. The black armored soldier ducks then rolls forward and lunges his weapon into her stomach.
The lady gasps before the man pulls his blade back and she collapses in the grass with her blood sinking into the soil. Another 727th combatant advances as he horizontally swings at an army swordsman. The soldier tries to block the strike, but Eyre's trooper is too fast and he is slashed in half, "Oooooou!" The officer enters his battle stance and punches two fireballs at a swordsman across him. The trooper rolls left and another soldier runs at the officer and cuts him down with a diagonal strike.
Eyre's men push forward through the area with great speed, accuracy, and silence as they cut down their enemies. One army spearman stands on guard at a rooftop alongside a swordsman and archer. The swordsman pokes the spear warrior, "Remnant troopers, behind you!" The spearman turns in shock but a 727th warrior dispatches him with a high horizontal sweep. Another 727th soldier pulls his sword into the army swordsman's heart, "Nuuuggghhh!"
The archer shoots at both troopers who block all of his shots. He begins to backpedal as he needs he continues to rain down fire on his enemies. The archer shouts, "Someone help! PLEASE!!" One of Eyre's warriors climbs from the other side of the building and runs behind the sharpshooter. The man grabs the bowman from behind and hurls him off of the building.
In a street a squad of army troopers move to engage Eyre's forces after they have heard that they have cleaned out several squads with their speed and the element of surprise. This team includes a swordsman, two firebenders, and two glaive-wielding troopers. Five 727th soldiers charge down the street as the army forces prepare to stop them.
An orange fireball is punched at a 727th swordman's chest but the trooper leaps over the shot as he lands a few inches left of the firebender and vertically cuts him down. The other firebender kicks a blow into his back as he slightly turns to dispatch the army soldier. Another swordsman runs toward an army duelist and lunges left at the man's neck. The duelist shifts his weapon as he blocks the hit then presses his blade into the Remnant soldier's chest.
A glaive trooper leaps ahead and shifts his weapon left into a 727th trooper's lower abdomen. The long yet heavy weapon throws the swordsman off. The army firebender pops two flames into another Remnant swordman's lower body. The final trooper retreats and runs toward an alley. The firebender extends his arms and shoots a surge of orange and yellow flames at the man.
The trooper flips further into the alley and the flames miss. Smoke flows from the bender's mouth as he exhales, "Well, at least we stopped their momentum." Three firebenders leap down with the same slick black and red armor. One 727th firebender punches an orange-yellow flame from his left into the army swordman's chest and hurls an upper flame from his right into a firebender's stomach.
A different Remnant soldier presses his right hand ahead and burns an orange ray of fire into a glaive trooper. The final glaive soldier is shot down by a fireball "Oh!" The firebenders press on as Eyre steps forward with two firebenders standing beside him as bodyguards. Eyre's hands are wrapped behind his back as he looks side to side at the battlefield. His eyes still red but the color has become a paler red shade.
An officer rushes beside Eyre, "Sir, we are making way, what is your plan?"
Eyre comments, "Good, now press forward. We have only taken the first plots of land from them, if we are to truly damage their forces, we must make it to the center of their Southwestern flank. While doing this, split our force to hit and ambush our enemies in the Southwestern flank. By disrupting their focus we will force our enemies to fight a war on two fronts."
Eyre's unit is somewhat diminished after the constant fighting, they endured to get to the capital. Most of the heavy troopers have been killed, most of the shields have been lost or damaged, and many of the archers were picked off from ambushes from army teams in the valleys. This forces Eyre's soldiers to focus more of stealth, precision, and speed when striking their enemies. This also puts their capacity to wage their counterattack for a prolonged time, making their initial engagements very important in this phase of the battle.
Still Eyre and his men are full of robust energy. Eyre points and three swordsmen (including one man with two swords) rush into battle behind the team of firebenders. Two spear warriors sprint behind them. Eyre notes, "Make sure you take send teams on the rooftops, so we can proactively neutralize their archers!"
As the battle rages on, Macai and Azula stand at a fortified position in the East central part of the city. They stand with three army duelists, three spear warriors, and four firebenders around them. One older male smokes a cigarette while he waits. A male and female soldier play cards as they sit at a table. Azula comments, "We are almost there, soon we will push them back to the harbor."
A sword scout runs to contact the team, "Commander!" Macai turns to meet his ally face to face.
Azula asks, "What is it trooper?"
Army sword scout: "Macai's father, General Eyre has entered the city!" Macai crosses his arms. Army sword scout: "They entered from behind the crater and somehow dispatched the rear guard of the Northwest corner without us hearing. At least dozens of troops have poured into the city with hundreds more behind the crater and holding out against our troops on the exterior of the city."
The scout continues, "Eyre's interior team is sweeping past our forces but the good news is they are just getting started and are spreading themselves thin. So, if we can stop them soon, we can minimize their damage. But if we take too long, they could reverse the state of this battle."
Azula: "Trooper, stay here with the rest of our unit." Macai and I will stop Eyre's advance.
Roughly twenty minutes later Azula and Macai advance through friendly territory with multiple allies saluting them. A few minutes after they run across an increasingly dangerous battlefield with artillery shells blasting some of the ground near them. Still, they run with Azula in the lead due to her greater speed. Macai huffs a bit, not being as good at keeping up with her pace.
Azula scoffs, "Come on Cai, I'm not even breaking a sweat! You call this a run? I used to chase the Avatar by running at a much higher rate with Ty Lee and Mai for hours."
Macai gasps, "Well, my stamina is going for long marches across massive battlefields where running isn't practical. And where I have to keep an eye out for my unit members who may be slower than I. I'm a field officer! Not an infiltrator like you or a scout like Kanna! My stamina is used when I need to need to fight for a long duration."
Azula yawns, "Oh Cai, babe don't be so boring. Have a little fun."
Macai laughs, "Fun. People are dying Zula?"
Azula: "And? Isn't that a commonality in our profession? It's not like we caused their deaths, in fact we are preventing them. So, we might as well laugh while we are doing it. Because I'd rather laugh than have another breakdown." Macai nervously chuckles. As they continue, a dark orange beam of fire blasts an army firebender who falls toward Azula. The princess easily dives left but the man almost hits Macai who barely hops past him before he rolls on the pavement.
Azula looks back, "Pick it up Macai." Within an instant, Macai backflips onto his feet. Azula grins, "That's why I love you."
An annoyed firebender responds, "Hey pay attention!" Azula looks and notices a dispatched team of army troopers scattered throughout the street. Firebender: "You've never faced seasoned veterans like us."
Macai: "That's a lie. We've had our share of battles."
Azula mentions, "Well, I fought Zerrel and plenty more. I've done what veterans could not, I took Ba Sing Se from within."
Firebender: "Oh whatever, let's fight." A firebender on the right pushes a stream of yellow flames at Macai who leaps right and jumps off a wall as he pounds a white brick of fire into the center 727th firebender's chest. Macai lands behind the other two firebenders and the man with yellow flames punches three swift fireballs at Azula.
The princess blocks the first two flames and rotates right as she narrowly dodges the third. Azula kicks a blue streak of fire into the man's gut. As Macai prepares to attack his opponent three 727th swordsmen leap a few feet behind the officer. Macai rolls his eyes, rotates his body, and punches two white flames at the duelist directly behind him. The man flips over the fire down at Macai with a downward swing.
Macai rotates left as he barely avoids the hit and the man slams his weapon against the ground. The swordsman swings again high and right but Macai extends his left hand and latches onto his opponent's hands. A second later Macai heats his hand with white sparks and burns his opponent, "Yaaaaaaaaahhh!" The man drops his blade but Macai catches it with his right hand before he backhands him and tosses a fireball into his back.
The swordsman right of him swings vertically at Macai's face but the officer horizontally blocks. Another duelist charges at Macai from his rear. The commander sighs then extends his left leg and pumps a white flame into the man. The swordsman Macai is in a blade lock with swings a second time horizontally and lower at the young man's right side. Macai hops backward and pops a flame from his left hand into the duelist's chest.
Two of Eyre's warriors with dual spears enter the fray. One chases Macai and the other Azula. Macai hurls a block of fire into the left spearman's stomach. The right spearman throws his weapon at Azula who rolls forward then leaps up and kicks a blue fireball into the man's face. Macai looks back at his lover, "We did it!"
Eyre steps forward with two firebenders beside him, "But you haven't done everything yet."
Macai looks at his father in shock. Azula frowns, knowing all too well what this sort of domestic dispute feels like. Macai: "Father, snap out of it! I love you dad, even with all your nonsense. We can put this behind us and start over. You and I, father and son. Forget about your legacy under Ozai and the Fire Nation Empire, we have a new destiny."
Eyre looks at him and Macai suddenly notices his red eyes, "No, you are not my son anymore. The lines are drawn. You have chosen your side and I mine!" Azula enters her battle stance and engulfs her hands with light blue fire. Macai looks at her, "Azula, something isn't right. His eyes are red."
Azula: "I don't care. We don't have to kill him, but we need to take him down immediately!"
Eyre nods at his bodyguards, "Kill the girl, I'll handle Macai." The firebenders sprint into action as they leap across her. Meanwhile Eyre extends his hands and spins toward his son with a sparkle of light orange and yellow flames. As Eyre is spinning he launches a brick of fire at the young warrior.
Macai backflips and pops his own white brick of flames into Eyre's. Eyre flips closer to Macai who still waits to attack as he hesitates to strike at his father. Eyre raises his right fist and punches a beam of flames at Macai's head. Macai slightly spins right and punches three strong flames at the general.
Eyre heats his arms with light orange fire as he easily blocks the first two flames due to his familiarity with his son's style and crosses his arms as he absorbs the third blow however, this flame is strong and puts out his fire guards causing him to stumble a foot back. Eyre briefly shakes his arms as steam flows from them. Macai warns, "I do not wish to hurt you father. Stand down!"
Eyre yells, "NO, YOU ARE WEAK AND LACK THE DRIVE TO BETTER OUR NATION AND OUR PEOPLE! WE CAN ONLY EVOLVE THROUGH GRIT AND SACRIFICE! If you will not be a part of our salvation, then you must be destroyed."
Macai: "Dad, you aren't making any sense. I know you ran away because you couldn't handle everything that happened, but that's ok. I forgive you."
Eyre lunges at Macai and blasts a beam of bright orange flames at him, "Silence!" Macai raises a wall of white flames which absorbs the blast and pushes it toward the general. Eyre flips left and punches a volley of six flames at Macai in less than two seconds. Eyre's hands move so fast that steam flows from them. Macai does a front cartwheel and launches himself forward a second time with white fire from his legs as he avoids more shots.
The commander turns and blasts his own beam of white flames at Eyre. The rampant father lifts himself with a spout of light orange fire and pops four accurate fireballs at Macai. The commander lifts his right arm as he blocks the first shot, rotates his arm left as he prevents another flame from hitting his left shoulder, and blocks a third flame with his right knee. The fourth fireball buzzes and hits Macai's left side.
The officer backpedals into a wall as he briefly sighs. Eyre shoots a stream of light orange and yellow fire at his son while he is leaning against the wall, "For shame, fight me!" Macai jumps right and a powerful blast knocks chunks of the building into the air and against the ground.
Meanwhile, Azula fights Eyre's bodyguards. One guard pumps a sphere of orange fire at her back. The princess backflips and nails the man in his nose with a flying kick. The other firebender hurls three orange flames at Azula with wild hooks. The princess jumps left to right as she dodges the first two flames and blocks the third by crossing her arms.
She has a nice combination of tenacity, aggression, dexterity, and precision. Azula shouts as she spins forward and hurls a flame into the man's chest with a diagonal left kick. An unimpressed Azula looks at the neutralized guard with contempt. Another two guards advance toward Azula. Both have shields and swords. As Azula sizes up her foes, a third guard emerges with a shield and war hammer.
The hammer-wielding guard butts his weapon against his shield twice, "Come on!" The guard sprints with off-putting speed before he lunges at Azula with a left swing. The princess flips behind him and turns as she pops a blue block of fire at him. The guard also shifts his body and blocks the shot with his shield.
Another guard charges from her left swings vertically at her. Azula spins backward and the other sword guard steps behind her and thrusts his blade into her right thigh. Azula groans as some blood leaks from her pants. Azula: "Uhhhhh!"
The sword & shield guard licks his blade, "Wow, I've never tasted royal blood before. Let alone princess blood, you will be my greatest kill yet."
Azula quips, "Don't flatter yourself, that flesh wound is the most of me you will ever taste." Azula spins and kicks a destructive ball of fire at the man, but he blocks it with his shield. The force of the blow still causes him to step a foot back. The hammer warrior behind her tries to close in but Azula back kicks a blue fireball at him. The brute blocks it but the shot slows him down.
The other sword guard right of her runs at her with a right swing, "Reeeeeeehhh!" Azula jumps behind the man but he rotates his body again as he prepares to block her next attack. Azula realizes that sticking to mid range attacks will not work against these men, their guard is too strong. The princess responds by quickly jumping just inches in front of her foe.
The man prepares to attack but Azula is faster and slashes his left arm off with a blue fire dagger. The soldier falls to his knees, "Ahhhhhh!" Azula kicks the man in his nose, laying him out. The hammer guard dives at her with a leaping diagonal strike. Azula leaps forward, low, and past the attack. Even she starts to gasp as this close and repetitive fighting is more tiring for her than Macai (as the commander said, they have different types of stamina).
The hammer warrior notices this and charges at her again. Meanwhile, Macai looks at his father again, "I will not fight you father! Stop this madness. I don't know what has gotten into your head but FIGHT IT!! Let it go, it doesn't have to end like this. What's more important being my father or your legacy, I NEED YOU TO CHOOSE!"
Eyre: "I have already chosen; fight me you fool!" The general dashes forward with a flash of bright orange flames. Macai again does not punch any flames at his father and instead braces himself. Eyre swings left at his son's face with an amped punch. The commander ducks and Eyre pounds him in his stomach with a right fire punch. Again, Macai backpedals and breathes to keep his composure.
Eyre: "What did you come here for? To helplessly die!"
Macai: "I don't need to fight for my legacy. Unlike you, I don't care what others think. I came for you! I came to get my dad back, whatever the price! And if I can't, then I guess you're just going to have to follow your orders. That's all you ever good for anyway right?! Maybe you're not fighting for your own values but instead for the ones others forced into you."
Eyre pauses, "Those weren't the only values I was exposed to, I accepted the dominant ones at the time and stuck to them."
Macai: "Why? Changing isn't always bad. Sometimes it is necessary. It is not always the action of a weak or feint-hearted person, sometimes it is the actions of a strong person. A person strong enough to do what others cannot. To think freely and evolve in the right way!" Eyre can hear different voices in his head of past firelords, conquerors, and war masters from his country demanding he continue his onslaught but there is conflict deep within him.
Eyre yells and leaps at the young icon, "Nooooo!!" Eyre hits Macai's stomach and chest with four fiery punches. The general swings at him with a left hook but Macai blocks it with his right arm and hits Eyre's belly with a white flaming left punch. Macai follows up with a right hook, Eyre spits from the hit. The son yanks his father in a moment of frustration and knees him.
Macai: "Why father?! Why are you making me do this?!" Eyre rotates his arms and wiggles them free and steps back as he evades a second knee from his son. Eyre lights up his hands, burning Macai's arms and forcing him to leg go, "Ah!" The commander shakes his arms and steps a couple of feet back as he looks to regain his strength.
Eyre punches two light orange flames at Macai's stomach. The hero lowers his arms and blocks both shots. Eyre shoots a ray of fire at Macai face but the noble ducks and Eyre pops another fireball into Macai's left side. Macai falls, "Ugh!"
Eyre looks down at him and surrounds his arms with bright orange fire. Macai looks at his dad earnestly as he becomes teary-eyed, "Father please." Meanwhile, the hammer guard backswings directly at Azula's face. The princess ducks and the hit instead is transferred to her left shoulder. A loud pop occurs as she falls to her knees. The wounded princess can barely move her left arm and sighs as the other guard swings down at her neck.
Sword and shield guard, "My glory has come!" Down but still kicking, the princess rolls right and avoids the hit. Azula backflips on her feet and pops a blue fireball through the man's chest.
The guard cries as he collapses and the hammer guard rages, "YOU KILLED MY BROTHER, YOU WITCH!" The man runs at the young woman and lunges his hammer at her face. Azula ducks and he lunges again at her stomach. Azula leaps onto the hammer then leaps off it and kicks a gust of light blue fire into the man's eyes.
The guard's eyes are fried and the heat sinks into his brain. The guard falls and Azula looks at Eyre as he prepares to destroy her husband. Eyre hesitates as he looks down at him. Azula shouts, "Macai, what are you doing, fight!"
Macai looks up at Eyre, "Come on dad, I'm done fighting." Macai rises to his knees slowly, to show his father he isn't there to threaten him. The red in his eyes begins to turn to its normal gold hue as he prepares to return to his normal state.
Eyre turns and notices Azula, "NOOO!! LIAR, you are attempting to DECEIVE ME! While I stand with my guard down, she looks to strike me in AMBUSH!"
Macai stands knowing he almost had his father return to normal, "No!" Eyre hurls a light orange ball of fire into Macai's left side just inches from his chest. Macai grunts and falls again, "Ah!"
Azula screams, "YOU MONSTER!!" The princess enters her battle stance and lunges at the man with a gust of blue fire bringing her close. Eyre turns and hurls two light orange fireballs at her. Azula blocks the first shot with her right arm and spins right as she avoids the second. While the royal is an elite firebender, she is weakened by her stiffened left arm.
Eyre: "Let's see what you're made of girl. Perhaps you have more tenacity than my son."
Azula threatens, "You're not my father, I have no problem with killing you."
Eyre: "Excellent." The noble punches four light orange flames at her. The princess rotates her right arm as she blocks the first two flames. She spins left as he avoids the other two. Eyre hurls a stream of glistering orange and yellow fire at the princess but she performs a left flip and kicks a fireball from her right leg at the veteran's chest.
Eyre crosses his arms as he blocks the shot and hurls two columns of flames at her. Azula leaps over the shots and kicks a blue fire rectangle at him. The general leaps backward and rotates his hand as he douses emerging fire. Azula rotates her right leg and pops a blue fireball at his head. Eyre ducks and punches two light orange flames back at her. Azula blocks the first flame and ducks under the second one.
Azula front flips and tosses a ball of fire at Eyre, the General rolls forward but dusts himself off a bit because he doesn't like getting dirty. The general punches two violent flames at Azula's upper body. The princess crouches low as the fire zooms over her heard. In an instant, Azula kicks both of her legs forward and pops two blue fire shots back at him.
Eyre twirls right and leaps over the second flame closer to his target. Azula extends her right hand and blasts a ray of light blue fire at her adversary. Eyre shoots his own beam from his right hand into Azula's. They lock near evenly. Eyre: "Impressive, but it won't be enough." Eyre tries to push harder but Azula still holds him back.
Azula: "No Eyre, I survive. Just as I survived, my father's manipulation, the Hundred Year War, Zerrel's terror, and my demons, I will survive this!!" Azula pushes harder and her fire begins to overpower Eyre's. The general soon only controls 20 percent of the firelock.
As he struggles to hold her power back he says, "Well, it's good thing both of my arms are functional!" Eyre shoots a surge of fire from his other hand into his initial beam and he soon meets Azula 50/50 in the power lock. Eyre laughs and pushes harder as he begins to overpower her. The blaze of light orange and yellow flames pushes Azula's light blue fire back and nearly pulverizes her but the princess leaps back just in time.
A smalls spark lights as the fire hits the ground but Eyre keeps his eyes on the princess. Eyre: "You are drained, it is only a matter of time before you will fall!" Eyre pounds four fireballs at her. Azula dodges the first two, blocks a third one, and jumps over the fourth flame. Azula kicks a blue flame at Erye's face, and he avoids it. She kicks another, but again he dodges. Azula kicks a third flame at his right knee cap but Eyre jumps over the fireball and shoots a surge of orange-yellow flames at her.
The royal spews a volley of light blue flames from her mouth into Eyre's fire. Azula hurls a fireball from her right hand at Eyre's nose but he spins left and closer to her. Eyre comments, "I see you're getting creative!" Azula hurls a fireball with a backhand at his chest but the general blocks it. Eyre shouts, "This ends!" The general pumps two light orange fireballs from his hands into Azula's knees.
Azula groans and falls, "Ugh!" She shakes side to side as the general slowly walks toward her. The princess thinks, If only that hammer didn't hit me earlier! Then I wouldn't be so tired right now and I've have beaten him! It's ok, Azula focus. I'm not out yet. Eyre generates two light orange fire daggers as he is mere inches from her.
Azula decides to lay down and feign weakness. Azula pretends to moan, "Ooooohhhhh, ugghghghghgh! You will not defeat me!"
Eyre smiles, "I already have." As Azula plans a counterattack Macai suddenly wakes up. Though battered he is still kicking, and all his body parts are operational. The commander rises from his knees and notices Azula is down. Since he isn't in his full state of mind and is emotional he sees Azula moaning and does not realize that it is an act.
Macai: "EYRE!! GET AWAY FROM HER!!!" Eyre turns and Macai shoots a beam of white fire at his father, but Eyre blocks it with a barrier of light orange and yellow flames.
Eyre: "Ahh, there it is! The tenacity I was looking for." The commander does a jump kick using both of his legs and shatters Eyre's barrier with a column of white fire. The flames explode on impact and knock the general several feet past Azula's location. Eyre flops on the pavement as Macai launches himself closer to his father with a flicker of white flames.
The ground shakes as the 31st leader lands. The 727th general stands across him swats two fireballs at his son. Macai lunges forward like a bloodthirsty lion as he blocks both shots. Eyre pumps another pair of flames at Macai when he leaps left and a few feet across his father. Eyre shoots a beam of light orange fire but Macai blocks it while sliding a couple of feet back and hurls an overhand of white fire at Eyre's face.
Macai rushes forward and punches two fireballs at the general but he blocks both. Macai leg sweeps and spout of white flames at his father's legs. The 727th officer hops over the fire and kicks a blast of light orange and yellow fire at his son. Macai generates a shield gauntlet of white fire which absorbs the blast and the commander leaps in the air and tackles Eyre.
Eyre hits the ground with Macai on top of him. Macai pounds Eyre in his face thrice and hits him twice in his body with enhanced punches. Eyre latches onto the commander and throws him off. Macai stands back up and so does Eyre. The commander points his hands at Macai and charges them up.
The commander's mind begins to clear again. When he looks left, he sees Azula is laying in a way where she is facing Eyre. Her hands are pointed at him and she is prepared to zap him with lightning while his back is turned if she has to. On top of that, Macai realizes she probably wasn't as hurt as she pretended and had he not intervened she may have had another trick up her sleeve.
Because of this, Macai knows Azula can still end this conflict if he is unable to turn his father from the dark. He remembers that he did not come just to win, he came here and was given a chance so he could create an outcome other than his father's death.
The commander falls to his knees, "I remember when I would wait for you, so many days I would be ignored. We spent time together, you would show me your armor and tell many war stories. You talked to me about women, legacy, how to dress, love, and purpose. We discussed how annoying the firelords could be and you told me how proud you were. I remember one day you said you might show your discontent if I went against your legacy, but I also recall a day I was upset and my mother told me you loved me. She said that even though I didn't know it, that it was true."
Macai continues, "So is it true? Or are you a liar? Because I believe we'll always be family, for better and worse. You can't change that, I can't change it, that's just what it is. And with all your flaws, I still love you. Because that's what love is, as I told Azula some time ago. Love isn't about winning all the time, it isn't all about being right, it's just about what is best for the family. Love doesn't always make sense, but love will make you do things that others think is ridiculous."
Macai: "All I ever wanted was your approval, was for you to tell me I was enough. But in the end, I've learned that it's better that I find my own path. Do what makes me feel fulfilled. But if you are going to kill me, I want it to be your decision. Not whoever is in your head, not some past firelords, yours's father! And yours's alone."
Azula watches and muses, I'm not going to let that happen. If this gets too shaky, I'll kill that old man and deal with the consequences later. Even if he doesn't want to be with me anymore, because that's what love is, isn't it? Doing what is best for someone even when they don't understand.
Macai: "So what's it going to be dad?" The red glow in Eyre's eyes leaves again as he refuses to let anyone make this decision but him. Still the dark spirits are confident Eyre will strike Macai or die trying because all his past he has obeyed his nation.
Eyre looks at his won more closely and raises his hand as he prepares to strike. Azula begins to shine sparks on her hands and Macai nearly breaks into tears as he watches. Then as the General looks his son in his eyes, he douses his fire and kneels before his son. Eyre: "All my life, I have taught you, but now you have taught me a very valuable lesson. Take me in son."
Macai puts hand cuffs around his father's wrists and legs. Through this noble action, Eyre has been set completely free of the dark spirits that inhabited his body. Azula gasps. Macai hugs Eyre, "Thanks father, I love you. Even though you were never the best, I knew this wasn't you."
Eyre: "You're right son, I wasn't myself which is why I was kind of hoping you or Azula would kill me. But now, I'll have to see what's next. I can't imagine I will even be released from prison, if I am not executed for my actions."
Macai: "I'll make sure they won't execute you. And as you said, you weren't yourself. So what really happened?"
Eyre: "I hardly know myself, but some dark artifacts caused some spirits to jump inside of me. The same spirits that gave Ozai his powers back."
Macai: "That's insane. We'll at least it's over."
Eyre: "Indeed son, indeed."
Macai: "With that case, you might have time reduced."
Eyre: "I'll still get a lot of time for all the things I've done leading up to this event. For all the things I knew during the war that I never told you. And for the actions I took lead up to the event like evading capture and still willingly training Ozai and helping him get his powers back. I've done more wrong that I can ever make up for, but all I can say is nowhere near enough, I'm sorry son. I failed you."
Macai adds, "You failed me for most of my life, but not today. Today, you did the best you could, for this one moment. And for that, I forgive you." Several army troopers rush to their aid. Macai looks at two of the troopers, "Take Eyre into one of the holding cells within the center of the city."
Army trooper: "Yes sir."
Macai asks, "Do you have any news on the battle?"
Army trooper: "We have pushed our enemies back to the far Eastern, Northeastern, and Southeastern areas in the city. The other areas are completely liberated. While Eyre's men fought hard, the sheer numbers and firepower of our teams overwhelmed them."
The army trooper continues his explanation, "It ended up turning into a slaughter within the last hour as several arrows, artillery cannons, firebenders, and spear warriors rained down on them. They tried to flee through the edge of the crater, but our forces gave chase and sealed them in as we crushed their relief forces on the rear of the city. Their fleet is also being pushed back and our reinforcements are starting to box them in as they are forced to pull in closer to the harbor. It is only a matter of time before they will fall apart."
Macai salutes the trooper, and he salutes the commander back before he strolls elsewhere. The 31st commander picks up his wife and carries her to safety. Macai looks in Azula's eyes, "I know it's late, but how about we have some fun before we go to bed. What do you say?"
Azula pokes Macai, "No, I need to go to sleep, don't you see that I'm injured by your stupid father!"
Macai: "Ok, ok, I'll take you to the infirmary. Get you patched up, take you to the most secure part of the city, and then I'll let you sleep. Get your strength back and come back stronger next time."
Azula rolls her eyes at her husband, "Next time? I'm still more than capable of dishing damage to my enemies."
Macai: "You probably are but I will not tolerate you rolling into battle within a wheelchair or on crutches. Though I'm sure you'd find a way, as you always do."
Azula: "No moron, I will dish out damage in the war room. General Mak has done a great job of pushing back your father's unit, he is gaining some momentum. But with my help, we will smash their formations even faster."
Macai taunts, "I recall I was the best tactician and you the strategist. This is a short-term battle, leave it to me to wrap it up."
Azula scoffs, "Oh please Cai, you are only the best when dealing with your personal unit. While that rapport is strong, you are not the best with dealing with anyone that is thrown at you, I am. You are a field officer, you said it yourself. I am more of a war room leader. Strategy is not only about the length of conflicts, it also can be about the scale of said conflicts. The minute logistics and planning get involved that is when you rely more on working with people like Aiya."
Macai: "Well there will be planners, we are in the Capital. Zula come on, I will have a whole board to work with."
Azula: "Yes I know, but you'll see. I will not go back and forth with you. Just get me patched up, let me rest, and tomorrow morning I'll show you what I can do."
Macai goes silent for a few seconds, "Ok."
Azula looks back at him, "Ok what?"
Macai: "Ok, I will do what you ask of me. I didn't know ok had another meaning."
Azula sighs, "Well your body language."
Macai sighs back, "Here we go again."
Azula looks at him silently. Macai looks back and chuckles. Azula warns her partner, "Don't you ever forget that I'm the best thing that ever happened to you."
Macai grins, "Of course not." Azula grabs the commander by his collar and kisses him. The duo continues their talk slowly with the commander keep his princess warm as they stroll to the infirmary.