The Remnant's Last Stand Part 3

It is once again midday, the sky is an orange faded color. A few grey clouds float through the sky, in a day that looks stranger than most. While the vast majority of the Fire Nation Capital has been liberated and most of the Remnant armies have been defeated the last of the attackers have gathered together just a few hundred meters outside of the port that they had boldly taken a couple of days ago.

Ronin and Kedo stand in the crowd as they hear multiple fatigued Remnant warriors argue. They have been fighting all day and all night with hardly any sleep. A nineteen-year-old Remnant trooper paces around, he has short straight brown hair, a light goatee, olive skin, yellow eyes, and very round ears.

Young Remnant trooper: "What the blazes are we going to do?! We've lost almost the entire city, yet we aren't supposed to surrender?"

An older Remnant veteran points at the young man, "Don't even think about it." The veteran has wavy black hair with a hint of grey, walnut brown almond shaped eyes, pale skin, and long yet thin ears. He also wears a tattered red-brown cape.

The young Remnant trooper shrugs, "What? You think I'd going to run? There is no where to flee to, our fleet locked themselves in. You think I'm going to turn myself in? While that option has its merits, I wouldn't dare want to see how they would punish us. The humiliation of losing again and surviving when almost all my brothers and sisters who accompanied me into battle died."

The young trooper continues and his yellow eyes shine in the fading sunlight, "At this point, surrendering is a cowards way out. But fighting, that is my chance to be found alongside my brothers in arms again." The young man nervously taps a sword on his hilt.

Another male Remnant trooper answers, "I can't imagine they are in a good place."

The youthful rebel feels truth in that statement, "Whereever they are, I bet they could use some company. And what better company than us?"

Remnant veteran: "We should fight because that's what we came here for and it is important that we finish the fight. That is the role of a soldier." The veteran says this with conviction, it is all he's ever believed. He has never considered changing course. Sometimes commitment is admirable and can allow people to accomplish great things. Other times, it is like a twisted form of pride that can run a person or grow into a ditch.

A Remnant brute looks across at them. The man has dark brown skin, thick curly black hair, thick eyebrows, dark brown eyes, and bulging muscles. The brute has a dark grey iron hammer strapped to his back. Remnant Brute: "I say we do what we've always done. We get up, stick to our guts, and down them into dust. While we do that, arrow boy can cover our enemies up above as well as a strike team of some firebenders."

Kedo looks at Ronin, "But you might need some firebenders on the ground with you."

Remnant Brute: "You'd be surprised what I can do. The nonbenders here are quite capable."

Ronin: "While that may be true, our only goal is to dish out as much damage as possible. Because there is nothing else we can do at this point and hopefully if we fight hard enough Ozai will back us."

A female firebender with cinnamon brown eyes, darker carob brown hair, cream toned skin, small thin eyes, and light battle armor. The young woman crosses her arms, "Why don't we add a goal to our strike? Just incase. I don't mind fighting, but I hate pointlessly fighting."

Remnant Brute: "At this point, any goal will hardly make a difference."

Kedo inquires, "What is your suggestion?"

The young lady grins, "I say we battle and lure out Zuko. He has joined his allies and if we take him captive, we have a chance of negotiating something. Perhaps an escape."

The young man points, "Wait, what? But the goal is to fight isn't it? To stand our ground and not run! We are supposed to pursue glory at all costs!"

Remnant female trooper, "Perhaps, but in this case, we are leaving on our own terms, which somewhat changes the equation. It allows us to leave the battlefield with respect because we have taken something they value in the process. Even if we won't keep him, that could be somewhat a symbolic victory for us to show that even in defeat we force that loss to play out on our terms."

Ronin adds, "What if he proves to be too difficult to capture?"

Female Remnant soldier, "Then we kill him. Either that or die in battle as many of you wish for anyway, but at least then it will be with a goal. A chance that still gives us skin in this game. I mean, even if we slay Zuko that would inspire more to rise after us and would surely keep their current system in question."

Kedo wonders, "Would it really? Or would it make him into a martyr?"

Female Remnant soldier, "It's doubtful he would be remembered as such. As all this pointless fighting has been blamed on him by our side. It would show that his weak approach is ineffective."

The veteran's eyes light up, "And if Ozai hasn't returned because he was unsuccessful, then it will turn out that the strong approach also was ineffective. Which in my view would just more greatly destabilize our nation because people would be divided on what approach to take. It might be fragmented into two or more weak states, a fate worse than what we have. Is that really what we want?"

The troops contemplate, with not a single one of them having a clear idea of what course of action is next. For Ronin and Kedo this is frightening because they have never been this lost. The same is true with all soldiers around them. Perhaps this is how it feels when you know you've lost deep down but refuse to accept it.

A swirling ball of red and orange fire glides twenty feet over them and levels the side of a building a few meters left of their position. The ground shutters as fragments pound the street. Kedo sprints and tackles Ronin as he pushes him away from nearby rubble. The other warriors flee as the brute smacks two falling objects away from him.

Kedo looks straight and notices multiple army troopers marching about 80 meters out from their position. Kedo warns, "Enemies are coming! Prepare for combat!"

Ronin replies, "So much for deliberations, by the way what were your names troopers?"

Young male swordsman: "Taj."

Male hammer heavytrooper: "Rotu."

Female firebender: "Yihan."

Caped veteran duelist: "Karim."

Kedo: "It has been a pleasure to meet you all, I wish it could have happened under better circumstances. But you all know what we came for. We took a gamble when we arrived, and this is what we got. So, let's not cower in the face of our trails, but instead let's embrace them!"

Ronin: "That's right! This is the moment we've all been asking for! It doesn't always play out as one may hope, but all we get at times is an opportunity. So we dared to be great, let's enact that greatness! Whether in victory or death, let's make sure they never forget our ferocity!"

Yihan extends her hands as light orange fire swirls around them. The brighter color of her flames suggest she may have above average firebending potential. Karim pulls out his blade, even it has aged along with him over the years. Taj pulls his sword as he stands beside what may have been an older version of himself.

Rotu twirls his hammer and slams it against the ground before he raises it high in his war stance. Ronin pulls his hands down and generates an aura of orange and yellow flames his armor. Kedo readies his arrow and his gold eyes sparkle in the drifting sunlight.

Ronin shouts, "Go on my brothers, go on my sisters!! Go on into battle! Step further into glory!! Our moment of history has arisen! If this be our last battle, let's make it an extraordinary one."

Karim pulls his blade closely, "Indeed." As they prepare another three Remnant swordsmen, two spear warriors, two axe and shield troopers, a glaive soldier, two archers, and two firebenders prepare for battle. Similar last stands are being made throughout the city as waves of army forces close in. They may not even get a chance to have a crack at Zuko, at this point.

Five army sword troopers, five firebenders, and five spear warriors rush down the street as they prepare for battle. An army officer with a war hat runs among them. Army Captain: "Charge!"

As the Remnant forces spring into action, Ronin screams, "For the glory of our ancestors!!" Two Remnant archers shoot arrows into an army spearman and firebender. A Remnant firebender punches a ray of orange flames into an army swordsman who's body flies five feet backwards and unintentionally kicks another swordsman in his face.

The army trooper bends and rubs his redden nose before he stands back on his feet and continues his charge. Ronin lunges ahead and punches two fireballs into a pair of army spearmen then turns and pushes a beam of fire through a swordman's body, splitting him in half.

A Remnant spearman shouts, "For the Remnant!" The spearman chucks his weapon through an army firebender's neck.

Half of the initial army force has been dispatched and its captain responds, "We need reinforcements!" Taj runs forward with his sword drawn.

Karim warns, "Wait youngster, wait for them to come to us."

Taj reassures him, "Don't worry, I have a trick up my sleeve." An army spearman, swordsman, and female firebender take notice of the soldier. Taj swirls his sword swiftly and his yellow eyes glow. He rotates his blade and it turns orange.

Ronin gaps, "Realizing that Taj is not a mere duelist, but is also a firebender." Kedo smiles upon seeing another multi-talented bender like him. The duelist diagonally rotates his weapon left to right, pumping orange fireballs out of his weapon into an army swordsman and spearwarrior.

The female firebender slaps her hands together and a surge of orange and dark yellow fire flows at him. The trooper slams his blade into the ground and an eruption of orange flames intercepts the blast and blows her away. Two army swordsmen charge at Rotu but the brute sprints left swats the left duelist aside with a right swing.

The other duelist runs at his right side and swings down vertically at his shoulder. The heavytrooper rotates his weapon and knocks the man's blade out of his hands. The trooper gasps and Rotu charges as he pounds his hammer into the man's stomach. The soldier bends in agony and Rotu swings down as he smashes the man's head.

Yihan leaps forward and pumps a brick of light orange fire into a spearwoman's gut. The Remnant firebender rotates right and blocks a flame from a male army firebender. The man gasps as the woman kicks a fireball from her right leg into the man's right thigh. The trooper's body rolls over and Yihan hurls a second flame into his chest.

Kedo launches an arrow into the captain's chest and the entire army team has been obliterated. Ronin smiles, "Wow, the power of motivation is something else. Let's keep going, let's keep running as long as we can. Maybe we will punch a hole through their lines until we find Zuko." Surprisingly, this Remnant team has not suffered a single casualty during this engagement.

As the battle continues, Fire Nation ships presses on against the Remnant fleet. An army battleship sails forward as it unloads a volley of shots into a Remnant cruiser. Within seconds, the cruiser explodes into metal fragments. The army ship captain shouts, "Keep going! The Remnant fleet is faltering!"

The battleship unloads another barrage of shots into a Remnant frigate, breaking it into two chunks before the heavy waters of the sea overtake it. Other shots come from other army corvettes, battleships, cruisers, and frigates as Remnant vessels are picked off from every direction.

About 60 percent of the Remnant fleet has been destroyed and they are now trapped in the very route they took to strike. The sun beams down as another two Remnant ships and blown to pieces. Still the Remnant ships return fire, giving it everything they have. A Remnant commander shouts, "Keep firing! And keep working! We don't have time for any naps, we must hold out until Ozai arrives!!"

Elsewhere, Reyna, Timur, two army firebenders, a spear warrior, and two swordsmen battle another holdout Remnant force. This Remnant team includes three firebenders, two spear warriors, three swordsmen, two ax troopers, and one strong shirtless trooper with a chainblade.

A Remnant spear warrior charges and lunges his weapon at her left shoulder. The bounty hunter shifts her weapon left and knocks the spear left and she lunges forward before she slams her right short hammer into the man's stomach. A second later she backhands the man with her left hammer, laying him down.

A remnant firebender swats a red fireball at her but Reyna hops left. Timur extends his arms and hurls a barrage of bricks into a Remnant swordsman and firebender. An army firebender punches an orange fireball into a Remnant firebender's upper diaphragm.

The army spear warrior slides his weapon into an incoming ax trooper's stomach. A Remnant duelist charges at the soldier while his back is turned but the spear trooper spins backward and butts the back of the spear into the Remnant soldier's nose.

The Remnant chainblade trooper pulls his blade back and yanks it forward. The blade glides into an army firebender's chest before the rebel warrior pulls it back through the trooper's flesh. Timur shifts his body and hurls an earth column into the chain trooper.

The remaining firebender flings a red flame at him but Timur blocks the shot with an earth wall and launches at his opponent. The firebender leaps right as an ax trooper swings down vertically at Reyna's head. Reyna spins left of the trooper's position and smacks her right hammer into his stomach. A second later she twirls behind him and hits the man twice in his back.

The material that Reyna's hammers are made of are naturally durable and concussive in nature. Each blow from the hammers causes the man's bones to rattle and skin to sink. The material even has an electromagnetic effect when it lands in force that causes nerves to rattle. The man loses his strength and falls on his face.

While that fight continues, Ronin's team advances deeper into enemy territory. A pair of Remnant swordsmen and a firebender advance across the right rooftops to keep an eye out for enemy flankers and archers. Another team that consists of a Remnant swordsman and two firebenders scout the left rooftops.

Ronin's team presses down the middle stretch with several Fire Nation national trooper bodies laying beside them. Five Fire Nation swordsmen with rectangular shields quickly march across them. Ronin takes a step back, "Positions!"

Taj (on the left) and Yihan (on the right) run pass the Remnant captain. Taj slams his sword and a swirling tirade of orange-yellow flames incinerate two of the shield guards. Yihan spins right and pops an explosive sphere of fire into a guard's shield, knocking him on his back. The woman shifts her body and swings down, zapping a man's right leg with a fire tentacle.

The remaining shield trooper covers himself and yells, "I need backup now!" Five army spearmen rush to aid him.

Spear Lieutenant: "Hit them now!" Two men toss their spears into a Remnant spearman and firebender. The firebender screams frantically as blood pops out of both sides of his chest. The spearmen who threw their weapons switch to short swords and press on into battle.

One of the short swordmen is immediately blasted in his chest by a fire torpedo. The spear lieutenant leaps ahead and slams his weapon into a heavyset Remnant axe & sword warrior's chest. Another army spear trooper glides his weapon into a Remnant swordman's stomach.

As this happens, another five army firebenders press behind the spear warriors to back them up. Ronin immediately realizes the enemy's tactics have improved and perhaps more their strategy as well. Perhaps they were fighting only to be lured into yet another trap. It is undoubtedly the work of the treacherous Princess Azula and her lover Macai.

On the left rooftop a firebender is shot in his neck by an army archer. A second archer backs him up as he shoots at the other firebender but the woman rolls left and holds onto the edge of the building to avoid being shot at. The rebel swordsman across her swats two arrows back before he is hit in his right shoulder and then his gut.

As the carnage continues, the woman leaps from the edge and kicks a column of fire into the archers. The following explosion cracks a whole in the roof of the building it hits and obliterates the army bowmen. On the other roof, another pair of archers open fire.

A Remnant firebender hops behind a swordsman for cover. The swordsman blocks a couple of arrow while the other Remnant duelist does the same. The firebender raises his hands and generates two fireballs. The trooper has to focus to make sure they do not evaporate before he hurls them into the sharpshooters.

The spear lieutenant glances at Yihan before he sprints at her and lunges at her stomach. The firebender spins left and a few inches forward before she turns and pops two fireballs into his belly. Another Remnant firebender extends his right hand and blasts the man back with a ray of orange fire.

Another spearman leaps in the air and slams his blade into a Remnant swordman's face. The other army spearman rotates his staff before he thrusts his blade into a Remnant firebender's stomach. As the man pulls his blade back the Remnant soldier is yanked forward before he falls on his back with a stream of blood pouring from the weapon.

The army trooper swings his bloody spear at Karim, the Remnant war veteran's nose. Karim pivots right and butts the weapon slightly right. Karim presses forward but he does not charge, that is not his style. The spear warrior lunges again, this time left and at his abdomen.

Karim circles his sword and again thwarts the strike. Again he steps forward but the spearman steps back. The duelist swings again, this time high at his forehead but again the veteran parries. The spear warriors rotates his weapon a second time but glances left and notices a distracted Taj.

Taj looks at an incoming firebender and extends his sword; shooting a beam of orange and yellow flames into the man's body which blows him apart. The spearman runs at him and Karim warns, "Taj look left!!"

Taj turns and the army trooper thrusts his soaking weapon at the young rebel's mouth. Taj spins left and the spearman shifts before he lunges again at his nose. Taj ducks and sweats from the trooper's calculated pressure. The army soldier aims again at Taj's chest with phenomenal positioning and ideal spacing for his next attack.

Karim breaks from his calm composure as he looks to help the young warrior, Karim runs with his faded cape flowing in the air and his sword raised right. Karim's rush breaks his natural pace, and the army spearman hears his steps. The army trooper efficiently turns and hops toward the Remnant duelist.

Taj shifts his blade right and charges after him, "Hey! Come back!" The army warrior slides a couple of inches forward before he extends his sword and slightly raises it. The strike is so smooth that the army veteran doesn't have enough time to intercept it.

The army soldier sinks his weapon into the Karim's lower chest and he gasps. Taj loses it, "Noooo!!!!" The army warrior pulls his weapon back and plasma pours from Karim's body. He holds his body before he falls. His old cape is then soaked in his own blood.

The spearman turns and looks at Karim. Karim screams, "YOU MONSTER!! I'm going to gut you like a wild hog!!"

The spearman points, "This is what you all wanted! None of this death was necessary but the minute you stepped in our capital you should have understood that we'd be willing to die for our people. This is war, it is not a beautiful sight, but I do my job well."

The spearman rotates his weapon again and soon the entire weapon is red. Taj enters his battle stance, "As do I!" The spearman takes a step back before he hops forward and lunges at the Remnant trooper's stomach. Karim swipes left as he intercepts the hit.

The trooper rotates his weapon again and lunges higher at Taj's chest. The Remnant fire duelist slashes right knocking the man's weapon in that direction. Taj rushes forward yet the spearman twirls his staff vertically before he strikes at Taj's left arm.

The Remnant soldier swings left and high while heating his blade. As the sword turns hot, the metal becomes orange. The strike knocks the man's spear left and upward and stings him. As the army warrior hisses from the blow Taj yanks his weapon through the man's heart.

The army soldier looks down in shock as Taj rips his blade out. Now Taj's weapon too, is soaked in blood. Taj shakes his weapon to get some of the blood off then he heats it, evaporating the blood that is left. Taj diagonally twirls his sword to cool it down, stops, and stands over Karim's body.

While Taj assumes he is dead, Karim opens his mouth and utters a few words. Karim: "Y-you, are t-the n-new generaTION! L-listen to ME!"

Taj bends down, "I'm listening."

Karim holds Taj's left hand which has a grip on his weapon, "Make it count. You don't h-have, to be like us. You can fight, you can be strong, but you can also be different. When this ends, I want you to live. I thought about it, but if you live, make it count. It can be... diff!!"

Karim starts violently coughing before he chokes on his own blood. Taj immediately stops in his tracks and breaks down in tears. Several Remnant soldiers press forward into action against army troopers when Yihan sees Taj sobbing.

Yihan: "Taj, get up! Get up Taj!!" Taj doesn't respond. Yihan walks away from the battle and rubs his left shoulder, "Taj, I'm sorry. He was a good soldier, but now he's gone. We all signed up for this, he would want you to keep fighting. To honor the legacy we have all built together."

Taj remains silent. Yihan: "GET UP!! Come on, our men and women need you out there! You are one of our best soldiers!! Get UP!!"

Kedo steps beside her, "Let him grieve. These moments don't happen much, but he needs it, if you send him out like this, he's as good as dead. We don't have a lot of time but give him a chance to regain his mind." Yihan sighs, nods, and catches up with the other soldiers in battle.

A firebender spins forward and pops a brick of fire into Rotu's chest. He looks down and slams his hammer against the ground. Rotu spits out blood then charges but two firebenders punch a volley of four flames into his stomach and chest. Rotu stumbles back and a pair of orange firebricks are launched into his gut finishing him.

Yihan looks left and screams, "ROTU!!" The young woman leaps ahead and kicks a fireball into through an army firebender's nostrils. Two firebenders rush toward her but Yihan spins right and punches two light orange flames into them. Another army firebender kicks a fireball at her chest.

Yihan shifts left and blocks the shot with her right arm. The young lady straighten her arm and flings a flame into the trooper's head. An army swordsman charges at her, but Yihan turns and pops a orange fire brick into the man's chest.

The remaining army spear warrior notices her from seven feet away and right of her position. While Yihan is looks forward to watch for enemies, she has not glanced right yet. Kedo looks up but his bow is aimed in another direction he glances right and notices the spear warrior. Kedo turns to take his opponent out.

Taj gets up and begins wiping his eyes when notices that Yihan is exposed, "Yihan!! Look right!" All these reactions happen within a timeframe of about one second. As Yihan turns the spear warrior chucks his blade right between her breasts.

The young woman huffs before she falls on her back with her eyes wide open. Taj falls again on his knees, "Yihannnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!" Kedo launches a fiery arrow into the spearman's chest but the damage is done. The army troopers around them have been dispatched but this wave was a lot more harmful than the last.

Ronin looks at Taj, "I'm sorry Taj, but you are the last remaining member of your squad." Taj wipes his tears and stands.

Kedo asks, "Are you fit for battle?" Taj shakes his head up and down.

Ronin intensely comments, "Better be, because it's NOW OR NEVER."

Taj asks, "I don't believe we have enough men to capture Zuko now."

Ronin: "We still have enough to do a lot."

Taj: "Not if we keep taking losses like that, they are going to hit us again with another brutal wave, you know that. Even if we make it to him, we may have lost everything by then."

Ronin sighs, "It's worth a chance. We didn't come here for nothing."

Taj asks, "What about the other squads, scattered throughout this city?"

Kedo: "Judging by the fighting that I saw from the distance and the direction of the motors that were landing, most of them are dead or picked off as well at this point. A lot of them would be cornered at this point, several captured..."

Ronin adds, "But we will never surrender, not us! Not this unit! I'd rather fall in battle!!"

Taj: "Maybe it shouldn't only be what the leader thinks."

Ronin points in Taj's face, "Are you challenging me?"

Taj: "I will not fight you for your position, I am not challenging your authority. I'm just..."

Ronin dismisses him, "Then shut up!!" Taj glares back at his superior.

Kedo: "Ronin, this could be it. But it has been an honor fighting with you for this long. You have always been a true warrior."

Ronin ignores Kedo's statement. Ronin: "So I saw we push a bit further, it we continue to get this much attention Zuko might come to us. Afterall, we might be the most active Remnant force left in the capital. Other than Alev's."

Taj: "Still, most of the time we could tell if Alev was causing damage. I haven't seen any signs of that recently."

Kedo: "Well I know she wouldn't go out without a bang. But Taj is right, either she's at some other part of the battle far from us trying some wild plot herself or she has been captured or killed or is injured. At first she was getting all of their attention but now it feels like we are the priority."

Ronin answers, "It's too difficult to tell."

A Remnant spearman crosses his arms, "And still no sign of Ozai? It's not looking good."

Ronin snaps, "I SAID QUIET! No negativity!! Stick to the plan!" A swirling fire catapult pounds the ground and pulverizes a Remnant glaive trooper and firebender. The men howl and scream before they are rapidly silenced.

Another blazing fire torpedo fries a Remnant archer, "Aiiiiyyeee!!" A tear flows down Ronin's left eye but he immediately dries it. Ronin's orange eyes then turn darker as his rage sets in.

Ronin shouts, "Destroy that catapult!! AT ALL COSTS!!"

Kedo looks left, realizing that Ronin is not himself. The battle has made him crazed and ridiculously fanatical. Ronin dashes ahead of them with a gust of orange and yellow fire. He spins eight feet in the air and twelve feet ahead in a whimsical motion.

As he lands, hot fire knocks several cracks into the road. Ronin stretches out his right hand and blows the right catapult in two. The left catapult fires another ball at him, but Ronin looks up and hurls his own beam of orange-yellow flames into it. The ball explodes and a storm of smoke flows across the street.

The catapult gunner looks ahead in confusion, not being able to distinguish where his targets are. The gunner impulsively fires another motor at his enemies and Ronin slowly walks through the smoke as he is only five feet away from the man. The soldier's jaw drops as the man punches two erratic flames into the catapult, breaking it apart and killing the gunner.

Taj, Kedo, and several Remnant stragglers close in. Ronin responds, " Let the rooftop forces continue their advance as we press to the heart of the enemy. Even while their forces close around us there still is time to reach and stop their firelord." While several of them see the goal as aimless, they to decide to tag along rather than deal with the reality of defeat and what comes with it.

The soldiers press on as a team of three swordsmen, two firebenders, and two spear troopers rush forward. Army swordsman: "Stop! Put your weapons down!"

Ronin laughs, "You should know better." A Remnant swordsman draws his weapon, an axe and shield warrior enters his battle stance, Taj draws his blade and his eyes glow, Kedo readies his arrow along with two other Remnant archers behind him, a Remnant swordsman readies his weapon, a Remnant firebender enters his stance, and a Remnant spear trooper prepares for action.

Army swordsman: "Very well then, dispatch them!" Ronin punches a flame into a national duelist's stomach, and it blows on impact. A firebender hurls a beam of flames at Ronin but the Remnant officer raises his own wall of swirling orange fire which tanks the hit. Ronin yanks his arms down and sweeps the firebender away with a fountain of fire.

As the fire flows, nothing but the man's ashes remain. An army spearman is shot in his left shoulder by a Remnant archer. An army swordsman swings horizontally at Taj's right arm but he blocks the strike vertically and subsequently heats up his weapon. The convection heat burns the trooper's hands.

The soldier shrugs his hands and drops his weapon. Taj has a chance to kill his opponent. Ronin notices and comments, "No mercy, end him!" Taj does not kill the man and lets him run. Ronin stares at Taj until a swordsman tries to overwhelm him then Ronin rotates his body and kicks a flame into the man's gut.

The fireball knocks the man five feet in the air and he drops his sword. The fireball has a delayed explosion and the minute the man hits the deck his body explodes. An army swordsman lunges at a Remnant swordman's chest but the swordsman takes a step back before he presses his opponent again.

While the Remnant engages Kedo remarks, "This is a relatively small team, they've sent this time."

One of the other archers looks at him, "You're right." On the right rooftop, the Remnant firebender and two duelists still keep a watch over the enemy. The firebender looks down and shoots his own stream of fire into one of the army swordsmen below.

Remnant firebender: "Easy pickings." A second later, the legendary 31st scout Kanna Foloki leaps in the air across his position. The firebender gasps as Kanna kicks a rod of dark orange fire into the swordsman left of him. As always, the Kanna's fire is incredibly volatile and knocks the man five feet back before he spirals off the roof.

The firebender enters his stance and the sword trooper beside advances but Miss Foloki swiftly bends and pops two dark orange fireballs into them. The female firebender on the left roof notices her and shoots a beam of orange and yellow flames at her. Kanna leaps down from the rooftop as a dangerous explosion hits the ground.

The firebender looks around wondering if she killed her or if Kanna learned rocket propulsion recently. Instead, the young lady hangs on the other side of the roof with two fire daggers holding her up. When the woman least expects it Kanna backflips back on top of the structure and pumps her own ray of dark orange and gold fire at the woman.

The female firebender looks and suddenly notices Kanna's flames, "Aww, heck!" The woman is blasted off the structure. Mai glides down and behind Kedo. Before she even lands she hurls two knives into the archers beside him.

Kedo shoots a burning arrow at Mai, "That's it!" Mai dashes left and Kedo shoots another hot arrow at her. Mai flips forward and right but this arrow explodes when it lands. Rocks from the ground fly and smoke pops as Mai swats a couple of rock fragments aside by swinging her knives.

Mai hurls a knife low at the right side of Kedo's gut. The marine archer spins left and fires another explosive arrow directly at Mai. Mai ducks and rolls forward as the eruption causes her to tumble. Kedo aims at her confidently while she is down.

Mai backflips from the ground in record time. Kedo looks up and launches another blazing arrow at her. The infiltrator knocks the arrow left with one of her knives but the heat burns her, causing the young woman to drop her right knife. Smoke flows from her right hand and the arrow explodes seconds later just a few feet away from her.

Mai falls again but doesn't get up. Kedo smiles and aims at her again to decisively land a killing blow. Mai leans up, not being completely out of the fight and Kedo fires another combustible arrow at her. Mai waste no time to roll left as the explosion knocks a couple of rock fragments into Mai. Still, she pivots her body and hurls a knife from an awkward angle into Kedo's left knee.

Kedo yelps and shakes, "Uhhhhhh-aaawwwwww!!" The archer drops his arrows and rips the knife out of his knee. Blood soaks and he continues to toss about. Ronin aggressively punches two fireballs into an army firebender's upper body. The firebender cries before he dies.

Ronin turns and shoots a beam of orange flames into the remaining army spear soldier. Ronin mutters, "Another wave down."

Firelord Zuko steps forward, just ten feet away from Ronin. Zuko comments, "Enough people have died, Ronin, so let's end this now. Just you and me. If I win, your men surrender."

Ronin looks at his troopers, "What do you say lads?" The troops laugh.

Ronin: "We are all in this fight, we came too far together. You were a fool to take us on alone but we will give you a chance to surrender."

Zuko shakes his head. Ronin stretches out his arms, "And I'm sure this is a trap. I'm sure your helpers will come to assist you any moment now."

Zuko crosses his arms, "No, I was being honest. I'm a man of my word. Before I joined Aang's team, I said that I would bring honor back to our nation. The difference between me and you is that when I bring it up I actually mean it."

Ronin: "You threw honor out of the window when you turned your back on your bloodline and defected. You do not know honor and you aren't capable of it. You disgust us all. Troopers, forget about taking him alive, I want to hear him scream!"

A Remnant spearman hurls his weapon at Zuko and the firelord spins left before he pumps two multi-colored flames into the man's chest. Zuko extends his arms right and blasts aside another three Remnant warriors with a luminous blast of energy. Ronin looks at Zuko in a raving manner.

Zuko looks back calmly. Ronin jumps and hurls four orange-yellow temperamental flames at him. Zuko shifts his arms twice as he blocks them. The firelord elongates his left hand and shoots a blaze of radiant fire at the Remnant warlord. Ronin spin jumps left and punches two flames at the monarch's head.

Zuko raises his left arm and horizontally blocks the shots. As he does this, he pulls his right hand back and pops a sneaky rainbow flame from it at Ronin's gut. Ronin raises his right knee which absorbs the blast then stretches it out and kicks a ray of orange fire at Zuko's left shin.

Zuko lifts his left leg and spins right. Ronin fires his own torrent of orange and yellow fire at Zuko. Zuko raises a wall of flames which absorbs the strike then extends his arms and splits the flames into two vicious beams. Ronin leaps right as he dodges the heavy blows and punches another pair of flames at the firelord.

Zuko leaps right and in the air over the blasts. While airborne, the firelord rotates his right leg and hurls a dash of fire into the Remnant leader. Ronin flies back through a window. Zuko looks across at him and can tell his opponent is unconscious.

Taj steps a few feet behind Zuko. Zuko turns and notices that Taj has an background of fire behind him. While the firelord is more than confident that he can win the fight, he instead decides to reason with his opponent. Zuko: "Soldier, you have fought well, are you next in line in rank after him of these men?"

Taj looks around and none of the remaining Remnant soldiers object. Zuko: "I don't want to hurt you, enough men have died, on both sides. How about we let this end right here and bury our dead."

The soldier considers what Karim said to him earlier, "If I stand down, then what do we get out of it?"

Zuko: "Think about what will happen if you don't stand out, the outcome will not be any better."

Taj: "My men came here while being prepared to die. So again, I ask you what benefit do we get for surrendering. Perhaps you should consider something other than death, we are a rare case. That alone will not be enough to turn us because we've already went on this path while many urged us not to."

Zuko ponders, "I see, you all are stubborn as I once was... But it doesn't have to end this way. You all have already gotten a lot of attention, but it is clear you won't win. The other Remnant forces in the city have already surrendered. Our ships are beginning to surround what is left of your fleet. I know some of the troopers here still have families and some of them will take them back."

Zuko continues, "You all have tried the old way and whatever you got out of fighting you've already gotten that at this point. Now it will not make much of a difference. But I know deep down you and a lot of people on both sides have gotten sick of this fighting. And deep down, we all know this level of destruction should be avoided at all costs. In the end, we shed the blood of our own people. Do you feel that is for the good of our nation?!" '

Taj looks down. Zuko: "I know you've lost a lot of friends you hold dear to your heart. I lost some friends! And enough is enough. Please! Don't make me kill anyone else. I want this to end. I did some things wrong, the Remnant did things wrong, I don't even want this to be a judging contest. Though the courts will take action against the people who started this, I will lower punishments for common soldiers as long as they are willing to work at fostering change in probation."

Zuko continues, "If you cooperate now, you can make it easier on some of the other firebenders here."

Taj asks, "Why should I trust you?"

Zuko answers, "You have no reason to. But I'm asking you to try something new. Because it is obvious what you have tried now isn't working." Zuko sighs, "At least I hope you think that as well now that some of your zealous members have fallen. Ozai's not coming to save you all, Aang already took his bending, for good this time."

Out of frustration Zuko runs out of things to say. Taj gasps, but knows Zuko isn't lying. Taj: "Alright, fine we surrender."

One of the troopers looks at Taj, "But this was a come in and come out fighting mission if we couldn't win."

Taj looks at the trooper, "You heard what he said, Ozai lost his bending. I know you don't want to believe it, I don't either. But all of this is pointless. We are just fighting, people are just dying, our pride, it is not worth anything. I once thought it was everything, but now I see it was just an illusion. What we were grasping on will never come back, that era is gone! Change must come and we either adjust to the change or be destroyed by it!"

The Remnant troopers fall silent. One by one, the swords, spear, and axe warriors drop their weapons. The firebenders kneel and the other troopers quickly follow in succession. Taj follows and look up to Zuko, "You are the true Firelord, you and you allies have proven it. Time has favored you, whether we like it or not you are the face of our people for this new age until fate decide otherwise."

Several Fire Nation army troopers emerge behind Zuko. An army trooper salutes Zuko, "What are your orders sir?"

Zuko: "Chain and tie up Ronin immediately before he wakes up and recovers. He will fight as soon as he gets the opportunity, even if he's alone so make sure he cannot. As for the others, take them in as well. It will only be a matter of time before their fleet falters."

A TIME FOR CHANGE

The Remnant fleet is pinned into a corner right outside of the beachhead. Army catapults behind to bombard Remnant ships from the beachhead while The Great Whaleshark deadnought continues to fire several Remnant corvettes and destroyers are sunk. The Great Whaleshark unloads two volleys into a national cruiser and frigate before it sinks them.

A Fire Nation battleship, The Shining Liberty unloads a payload of fire torpedoes into the Whalesharks belly. Heavy streams of water behind to flood the lower levels of the ship. Admiral Venki arrogantly stands on his deck, "Fire, fire, keep firing!! Do not stop!!"

A few men leap off the vessel and abandon ship. Venki yells, "Worthless traitors, kill them!" Some firebenders stand on the deck as they hurl fireballs down at deserters. A barrage of three cannons flies directly into the bridge. A loud explosion causes the bridge tower to fall on top of the deck, crushing the admiral and several of his soldiers.

The remainder of the Remnant fleet immediately surrenders. In the city, dozens of Army troopers walk in handcuffs as they are loaded into prison transports or ships. Still over 80 percent of them have been completely wiped out with almost 20 percent of Army forces falling. While the army took much higher losses than usual, this battle turned out to be a catastrophe for the Remnant.

Several citizens were also indirectly killed from the artillery strikes and some even took arms during the showdown to kill and overtake Remnant teams. In the Fire Nation's moment of need, Zuko's trade plays off. Builders from Toph's metalbending academy immediately begin their repair on the city. Other earthbending contractors also show up to fix streets, buildings, and other areas for relatively low prices.

Watertribe members arrive to heal wounded warriors and even prisoners of war from the Remnant. Diverse volunteers and staff from the United Way also assist. The Capital is rebuilt in record time while Taj is placed in a probation program that helps reform prisoners of war and convicts into more productive lives. His disposition changes to pursuing peace over conflict.

Alev still remains in prison where she will likely be for the rest of her life, if she continues to live stubbornly. Ozai also waits behind a cell just before being stubborn, grumpy, and unfulfilled. Kedo, eventually and surprisingly is placed on probation for good behavior.

Macai and Azula's children continue to grow, as they both take to balance training them to be good fighters and giving them more of a childhood than they had. Kanna Foloki eventually leaves the 31st as she decides to continue her own individual career, as Rosh did earlier. Reyna and Timur start dating and become engaged. Dade, Sonna, Irina, Gammal, and others continue to faithfully serve in the 31st Company.

While many question whether or not he will remain true to the program, he so far has avoided any contact with devious individuals. The Remnant as a whole has drastically slowed down and is all but irradicated. The reason for the Remnant's decline is not because of the deaths but rather because the entire mission of it has been rocked to its core.

With Ozai's might not being enough and the Remnant's resolve leading to countless unneeded havoc, few people are even willing to joke about joining them. And of course, Ronin sits behind bars in his own high security prison. He sits in a cell with dark grey walls, a cold light grey floor, and a black ceiling. To make matters worse the room has no windows.

Ronin stares up at the ceiling with lines under his eyes indicating low amounts of sleep. The leader is still unable to deal with his circumstances. He's had no visitors for over a month and outside of Kedo; none for the last three.

Ronin hears a knock and Firelord Zuko stands on the other side of his cell Ronin: "Ahh, so it is you."

Zuko nods, "How does it feel Ronin, you were the most dedicated member of the Remnant cause and now you are right back where you started. You said you'd never end up in a cell, yet here you are."

Ronin: "So this is what a firelord does in his spare time? He insults and gloats over those he bested months ago? Have the times really become that dull?"

Zuko: "Honestly, I didn't come to gloat. Maybe I started off wrong, but I want you to know that it doesn't have to end this way. I have rehabilitation programs, they are slow and gradual but I can at least allow you to have discussions with other members who are in a similar situation but are showing signs of improvement. Not Remnant members, but people who's lives have been up and down."

Ronin: "Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Why do you give us hope by making such foolish decisions? Only to still beat us later!"

Zuko: "Perhaps because the destiny of our people is not the same as what you ordinally thought. Maybe, I'm not as foolish as you'd like to believe and there is a reason for change. People told me that I would NEVER be able to turn my sister to the light, but it happened. Not just because of me, but it happened."

Ronin: "Do you want me to congratulate you?"

Zuko: "I was saying that to show that in life, when you have a just cause something things just happen as they are supposed to. And no, I don't give the glory to myself, I give it to the light. To a greater cause which guides me to victory."

Ronin scoffs, "Oh you're so humble..."

Zuko: "You are welcome to believe whatever you wish, but I just want you to reflect on it. I recently read that you kept saying, preaching that you wanted to bring rivers of blood to my palace. It seems you finished your goal, but do you still believe it was worth it?"

Ronin: "No, but I oddly am still glad I tried. It was my goal, I was going to do it no matter what. I was willing to die for it, yet oddly I'm still here. You will never understand how much my nation, my identity, and that concept meant to me."

Zuko nods, "Oh yes, I do. I know exactly how that feels. I was willing to die and more for my father. To finally be allowed back into his palace and to get his approval the way my sister seemed to. I wanted that more than my own life, but not getting it was the best thing that ever happened to me. It made me who I am today, a strong leader."

Zuko continues, "Strength isn't just about lifting things, knocking people down, or even taking punches. Strength is about making decisions that aren't easy, that most people might not understand, and that go against my own pride but they are decisions that I know are worth it. Strength requires looking past your bias, comfort, and normal way of doing things to find something better. Anyone can have strength, but a lot of people never will, not because they can't but because they don't want it."

Ronin replies, "What you said, about rivers of blood. You are right that I got it. But what I never knew about my declaration is those rivers of blood were not just the blood of your allies and followers. They were not just the blood of the innocents we shed in our blind fit of rage. They were also, primarily our own blood. The blood of my comrades, friends, and family. And that blood was not just physical but meant and spiritual. I bleed every day for the shame that battle cause me and for the blood that was shed due to my actions on both sides. And though I stuck to my plan, I too must admit that in the end it all was in vain."

Zuko: "So do you want to participate in a rehabilitation program?"

Ronin ignores him. Zuko: "Aww I see, you need more time then to think things over. Don't think I'll just put you out in society to be a menace, also don't think that I'll give up on you. I've learned that every life is valuable and it's the ones we write off that can be the most dangerous overtime."

Ronin: "You could have just killed me, then I'd no longer be a threat."

Zuko shakes his head, "No because then someone that holds you dearly could rise up to kill me, just as you rose to fight for Ozai. You wrote Aang was a fool for not killing Ozai, but imagine how much worse things would be if he killed him. How many people including Azula would be outright fuming for revenge just like you. What happened here, as bad as it was, it was nothing compared to what we'd be facing if we all acted as you did. Because revenge only leads to an endless cycle of pain, we must break the yoke for a new change."

Zuko walks out of the cell and Ronin looks up at the ceiling again before he looks down and at the door.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Congrats, you have finished Lingering Tensions! Now Avatar: Macai's Journey has finished its second installment, but this will not be the end. We will have more stories coming including tales about beloved characters like Kanna, Kett, and Rosh.