The Rescue Mission Part 1

Kanna, Rosh, Sonna, Dade, and Irina are talking in a den within the Prompt Adjudicator. Rosh is sitting in a seat while Sonna is sitting next to Dade. Irina is making tea and Kanna is eating an apple. Rosh: "I have mainly healed now; I'd love to give that guy Haresh a good bashing."

Dade: "Honestly, I wouldn't mind giving them a little break. I've had enough of the crazy missions, maybe they want a break too."

Kanna shakes her head, "I can't believe Hakato is dead. He was a nice guy."

Rosh: "Yeah, I liked the kid. Was a bit annoying at times, but he was a phenomenal soldier."

Dade: "To be fair, we're all annoying at times, no one is perfect."

Irina sips her tea, "Would anyone else like some tea?"

Rosh: "No thank you." The others shake their heads. Rosh: "This war is beginning to feel more and more real. I've lost far too many friends." Macai opens the door. Rosh: "What's the matter Commander? You look tense again."

Macai: "I've got bad news."

Rosh: "Aww great."

Macai: "The Fire Nation Capital has been sacked." Rosh starts laughing. Macai glares at his friend.

Rosh: "Oh wait, you're not joking? So they really sacked the Capital?"

Macai: "And to make matters worse."

Dade gulps, "Oh dear."

Macai: "Will you two man up, even the women aren't acting like this."

Sonna asks, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Macai: "Nothing."

Kanna replies, "For someone who dated Azula, I'd expect better from you."

Macai sighs, "To make matters worse the Capital has been sacked."

Rosh: "You just said that."

Macai: "Oh, what I meant to say is..."

Dade: "Oh no, I can't take it."

Macai sighs yet again, "Zuko has been captured."

Dade: "What?!!"

Rosh raises an eyebrow, "What about Ty Lee and Suki? Aren't they a part of his escort?"

Macai: "I don't know."

Rosh stands up and looks at Macai, "What do you mean you don't know?"

Macai snaps, "I DON'T KNOW!! All I know is that Zuko has been captured. Intel didn't tell me about them, but I know General Mak was also taken."

Rosh: "Of course, they're treating them as collateral damage. They only care about the top officers, this has to change. They're KYOSHI WARRIORS that's a big deal!"

Macai: "Please calm down."

Rosh: "Don't tell me to calm down."

Macai: "WE HAVE A MISSION TO DO, get a grip man."

Rosh pokes Macai in his chest, "Stop acting like a robot, these are our friends."

Macai: "Too much is at stake to play favorites right now, we must do what's right for the good of the nation. Rosh, we're not kids anymore. A lot of people are counting on us. We must handle this professionally."

Rosh sighs, "Still copying your father I see. Well, go on Mr. Eyre Jr. What's next?"

Dade pats Rosh on his back, "I know it's difficult, but the best thing they would want us to do is to follow Macai's orders." Rosh sighs.

Macai: "Don't worry, I intend to rescue Zuko and Mak. When we go to do that, there is a good chance we'll find Ty Lee and Suki in the same facility if they were captured. Otherwise, they either escaped or are dead. There is a good chance they are dead Rosh, you must know that."

Rosh: "Well, we better go and look for them as soon as possible. If we keep arguing here, we might blow our opportunity to save them."

Sonna: "You seem awfully tense yourself Rosh, are you feeling alright?"

Kanna grins, "I think he's still got Ty Lee fever. After all these years."

Rosh uncomfortably blushes, "What?! No, it isn't about that. I just don't want her and Suki to DIE. No trooper left behind, I would have always said that. Like Kett would have."

Macai: "Well how times change. I remember when we first started as a crew. Back when you and Kett were suspicious of each other. Before we became one big family. Stay calm, Rosh (patting him on his back), we'll search for your ex-girlfriend and maybe she'll give you another chance."

Rosh: "Aww whatever."

Macai adds, "But first, I'm going to look for an old friend and ask for his help." Macai steps out and runs into Desan. Desan: "Hey Macai, I haven't been in on any of the action recently. After I heard Hakato died, I've really wanted to get back in the mix. You've only had me on pirate runs recently. Let me get in on the rescue mission, I can help."

Macai: "We'll see Desan, we'll see. Stay ready my friend, but don't be reckless."

Desan: "I won't let you down sir!"

Macai travels with Rosh, Irina, Kanna, Sonna, and Dade in a village called Palonki. Palonki has short dark green grass, brown wooden buildings, and is of Earth Kingdom origin. The town has some settlers from both the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe which makes it stand out from most cities. The sky is lapis blue and multiple the town has a moderate crowd.

Macai travels through a hidden pathway and a water tribe guard leaps in front of him. The guard has an arctic blue uniform, "What brings you here Macai?"

Macai: "I'm looking for the Vindicated Avenger. I need his help."

Guard: "Alright, one second." The guard steps away and returns with Kett. Beside Kett is one of his allies, Moriana, the earthbender who fought alongside Kett against the 31st once in the past.

Macai: "Oh yes, I never officially got to meet you. Your name was?"

Moriana: "Moriana."

Macai: "I'm Macai, it's a pleasure to officially meet you."

Moriana nods, "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Macai."

Macai: "Great, we need your help. Do you know about the Disciples of Justice?"

Kett: "I know a little about them. They've been a nuisance to the Earth Kingdom recently. They are banking off corruption that still exists and picking holes in a fragile system. We will need to get rid of them to make sure the Kingdom can have sustainable growth."

Macai replies, "Well they just hit the Fire Nation hard. Zuko has been kidnapped and they also captured General Mak."

Kett gasps, "Wow."

Moriana: "They did more damage than anyone could have ever dreamed of."

Dade adds, "They have new technology that we have never seen before. They fire explosive arrows and even have men who fly with metal wings. It's obvious Zerrel used a lot of his wealth to fund the group, but it wasn't only his wealth. Some other rich lunatics were funding them in secret. We were trying to find the people who did in the Fire Nation but we believe he has some allies in the Earth Kingdom as well."

Kett: "Interesting, some elites in the Earth Kingdom have been yellow listed for suspicious activity. We are still trying to figure everything out. Some Dai Li agents and Earth Kingdom commandos are on the case."

Macai: "I know the Earth Kingdom still wouldn't want us in their affairs, but do they allow the United Way to assist with that?" Moriana nods, "Yes, we've had a role in it."

Kett points at Irina, "I've never seen her before, are you adding new members to your ranks."

Macai replies, "Of course, we are Kett. We are still a functioning unit. This is Irina, we also have some other new notable members like Dengo and Hagenko but they aren't here now."

Irina answers, "Well I can speak for myself. It's nice to meet you, sir."

Kett nods, "Please, call me Kett. And Kanna, you have stayed in good shape."

Kanna: "Uhh, I don't have much of a choice Kett, I'm still active duty. But don't fret, I won't get fat after I retire."

Dade: "Don't jinx it."

Rosh: "Awkward."

Kett: "Sonna, how have you been?"

Sonna nods, "I've been wonderful."

Kett: "Are you keeping Dade together? Sometimes he's a bit all over the place."

Sonna smiles, "I try."

Dade: "I hope you're keeping Kett together Moriana."

Moriana laughs, "Me, Sada, and everyone else on the team pull each other together. We're one big family."

Macai smiles, "As you should."

Kett: "Alright I'll help you because I know Zuko will be a much better leader than whoever may take his place if they decide to kill him."

Kanna asks, "What do you think they want with Zuko?"

Kett shakes his head, "I'm not sure. I think they want to break the Fire Nation's spirit."

Pain

Elsewhere, in an underground base within the Ronfe region (near the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation border). Zuko waits in a dark room restrained with several chains bounding his arms and legs. Zuko has several marks on his body and nothing but underwear covering him. Two DOJ guards stand in Zuko's cell and Zerrel emerges.

Zerrel: "Well, if it isn't the Firelord. Perhaps you will talk now, that things are on my terms."

Zuko: "You don't hold any terms. Even now, my nation will be looking for me. All you did was make yourself a target."

Zerrel smiles, "And that is exactly what I want, to have the attention of your nation. So they will hear my message and so that the world will know about the Disciples of Justice. Our victory was so much greater than the physical damage we caused, the psychological impact will be everlasting. I have shown that the big strong governments can be beaten and the once dominant Fire Nation has been swiftly and brutally humbled."

Zuko shakes in his chains, "You won't get away with this you monster!"

Zerrel: "I already have. I don't care that they will come to fight me, that is exactly what I want. But it will take them some time to find us in this location."

Zuko asks, "Why not kill me?"

Zerrel: "If I killed you, what would it solve? All I would do is inspire another leader more hateful than you take your place and bring hate to your movement. No, I will keep you for now. Perhaps I will release you to your people one day. If one of them killed you it would be better than the DOJ leaders doing it. It would show the instability and lack of unity within your own system. Further instilling doubts within it."

Zuko: "Yet you slaughtered several soldiers."

Zerrel: "Soldiers who pledged their lives to an oppressive state."

Zuko responds, "The Fire Nation isn't what it used to be."

Zerrel: "Young fool, all states are innately oppressive. Some more obviously than others, but they all create opportunities for a monopoly of power. And a monopoly of power creates an opportunity for the abuse of it. It is a risk the people should not take. As technology grows, the states will monopolize the deadly use of it until they are too strong to be beaten by citizens. This is why we will destroy the states now while we still have time."

Zuko: "Then you will be the new dictators."

Zerrel shakes his head, "After we have collapsed the states, we will destroy all technology."

Zuko shouts, "You're insane but this won't last."

Zerrel: "You have no idea what I'm capable of. For years, my allies and I have studied the Fire Nation and it's flaws. I knew some of them personally. I served for over a decade you know and I went on to study the flaws of the Earth Kingdom for decades after. Studying its flaws and I studied the flaws of the old United Water Tribe Kingdom that existed several centuries ago. People forget how time changes. I see the Northern Water Tribe is trying to become like the Earth Kingdom, but I will deal with them as well after I slay the two current industrial giants."

Zuko: "You coward, you waited until our nations were vulnerable."

Zerrel: "Dear boy, it's called strategy, you better learn some. The fact you lack it with such a powerful position is worrying. Azula would have been a much more effective leader."

Zuko: "Azula doesn't understand the value of global peace. We are much stronger united than divided."

Zerrel comments, "And that is why you are a bigger threat than Azula would have been. Though less competent, you have intentions to do something that could forever doom the masses. This is why we must fight now, more than ever. Though you also have her tenacity, I'll give you that."

Zuko: "Macai will come and kill you. And it's only a matter of time before the Avatar returns from his quest."

Zerrel smirks, "Don't worry, I'm planning for both of those events. When they do, my team will be ready. In the meantime, I'll deal with Macai first." Zerrel exits the cell and leaves Zuko in silence. While this is happening, Ty Lee and Suki wait in a shared cell and prison clothes. The walls are dark grey, the floor is light grey, and the ceiling is dark brown. A few torches light the halls around them and a few guards patrol the area.

Ty Lee: "Wow, that guy Zerrel is crazy. Who knew these people existed, all this time."

A determined Suki scans her environment, "Have faith, we'll find a way to escape here. Just like how I found a way out of Boiling Rock prison."

Ty Lee comments, "We're going to need some help to make it out of here alive."

Suki: "If help comes that's great, but I'm not waiting for anyone. As soon as we get our chance to bust out of here, we need to take it."

Ty Lee nods, "You have a better escape record than me. Mai and I remained locked up for a little while after Azula arrested us."

Suki: "If only I knew where we are, then I'd know a better way to escape after we get out of this facility. Because we were unconscious during our trip into these cells, I never found out where to go. To make matters worse, they don't let us hang with the other prisoners. We have just been in the cells all day, this isn't good for our mental health."

Ty Lee: "Well, they aren't a government, they don't have to give us good standards. At least they need us. I also haven't seen many prisoners besides us."

Suki: "This is like Iroh's imprisonment, sort of."

Ty Lee: "It's a bit worse and less sanitary to be honest. Look how dirty the floor is that we've been sleeping on. And all they gave us were blankets!"

Suki: "Well it's only been a couple of days. Hopefully, we won't wait too long."

Not Just Another Mission

Macai, Dade, Sonna, Kanna, and Rosh meet with Kett, Sada, Moriana, and Tyson outside in a garden. Macai: "Do any of you have any idea where they could be hiding them?"

Kett: "They are most likely held in an area that isn't patrolled much by any of the governments. In the outskirts of somewhere, which is where are sources deem most of them to be."

Sada comments, "Two United Way agents captured a couple of seasoned DOJ officers. They found them during an underground raid, unofficial of course."

Macai: "Do you have legal authorization to do that?"

Sada: "The Earth Kingdom doesn't comment on it."

Macai: "State condoned vigilantes who do some things better than the state, interesting..."

Kett: "The United Way has something the nations don't. We have been in every nation. We get intel from all sides, while the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom don't work enough together. It also takes your nations longer to collaborate while we get information quickly. We might not be as sharp as the Intel Department is in the Fire Nation or the Dai Li in the Earth Kingdom but we work quicker for conflicts that cross borders."

Sada: "Anyway, they have an idea of where our enemies are. The men gave us a map with a circled location of where they should be. They are believed to be between the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation in a region that isn't spoken much of."

Dade: "I'm impressed Kett and you basically became the spokesperson and lead representative of the movement."

Kett responds, "It wasn't easy."

Macai: "That's a story I want to hear some day."

Sada: "Let's focus on saving your boss for now."

Macai: "Of course."

Kett: "And you captured their Water Tribe representative, Tufen?"

Impending Danger

Zerrel meets with Karanga, Beruto, and Solven. Zerrel looks at Solven, "Go meet with Haresh at the Northern Water Tribe. Proceed with the next phase of our plan."

Solven bows, "It shall be done my lord." Solven exits.

Beruto looks at Zerrel, "Can we please just kill him sir?"

Zerrel shouts, "No, I will not make him a martyr. Strap him up and sedate him. We will transport Zuko and return him back to his people. Have a team of standard soldiers do it so there is no risk. And prepare a carriage for him, make sure the wheels are in good condition so he can make the trip."

Zerrel continues, "If an accident happens during the expedition, it is what it is but try to have him over there. When we show that we have the ability to defeat the Fire Nation in its Capital and return their leader as we please, their confidence in his system will be completely shattered. More will be inspired to join our ranks, many already have after our last victory."

Karanga: "Your wisdom is staggering sir."

Zerrel: "That is because we are destined for victory Karanga. Have the Justice Sages pray and give us strength for battle. Make sure our enemies are spiritually blinded so they won't be successful."

Unexpected Visitor

As Kett, Macai, Dade, Sonna, Kanna, Tyson, Moriana, and Sada are talking, Iroh emerges in hooded white robes. Macai: "Iroh?"

Iroh: "Yes, it is me."

Kett: "What brings you here sir?"

Iroh: "I had a terrible dream then came to look for Zuko, but when I arrived at the Capital it was already too late."

Kett: "What now Iroh?"

Iroh: "I want to help with this battle but my fight isn't physical anymore. It is now in the spirit. I will help the Avatar, but I don't know where he is. He has entered deep spiritual ground and is fighting against deadly dark forces. I will go on my own quest and disappear for a while because Aang needs my help. Much of what you see in the physical realm is only a result of the intense spiritual battles going on behind the scenes."

Macai doesn't know what to say and everyone else is also speechless. Iroh explains, "Macai, you have made the right decision. Trust your inner good voice, don't always follow your first instinct. Distinguish love from hate, wisdom from selfish ambition, pride from justice, and the common good from greed. You will be tempted, all of you will be tempted. Be very careful and keep watch. I will be fighting for my nephew in spirit and I will be fighting for all of you."

Iroh leaves. Kanna comments, "I'm so confused."

Dade: "Just have faith Kanna and think carefully about everything you do. But don't overthink things."

Kett: "Enough of all this talk. We can pray before we fight, but let's move in route to battle."

Macai: "I'm going to have us descend into battle using an airship. The Fire Nation Capital is in shambles right now, but I'm sure command will let me take a airship if needed. We won't attack their base with it, not right away otherwise they'll notice us and quickly escape. We'll simply use it for rapid travel toward the enemy location then we'll scout out the scene. I'll have several eel hounds for us to ride to that location. We need to split up and search for the enemy base."

Rosh: "What about me? Can I join the battle."

Macai: "Not yet, you're still injured. Save your strength Rosh. Everyone else, I'm going to split us up into separate teams. I'd love for some United Way members to join our ranks."

Kett nods, "Sure, you're the tactician. We also have a couple more friends who want to help." Jarue, Kaft, and Serraj arrive. Macai looks at Jarue and shakes his hand, "No hard feelings buddy?"

Jarue: "You haven't earned the right to call me buddy yet, but I'm here for you." Macai splits his allies into three team. Macai's team consists of Hagenko, Arret, Moriana (the earthbender), and Kaft (the water tribe swordsman). Kett's team includes Desan, Serraj (the water tribe archer), Jarue, and an Earthkingdom spearman.

Desan meets the earthspearman. He has dark brown hair, peanut butter brown skin, parakeet green eyes, a relatively strong build, and long arms. Desan: "What's your name, man?"

Spearman: "Konbo."

Dade nods, "Nice to meet you, I'm Dade." The two shake hands.

Konbo: "How old are you, Dade?"

Dade: "Seventeen."

Konbo: "Nice, I'm eighteen."

Dade: "How long have you fought in the war?"

Konbo: "Since I was fourteen."

Dade: "Wow, that's young, but I know a few who have."

Konbo: "My brother started when he was thirteen."

Dade: "How is he doing?"

Konbo sorrowfully replies, "He lost his life during his second year of service. It only inspired me to fight harder."

Dade: "Oh.."

Sada's team includes Kanna, an earth kingdom female archer, Jesha, and an Earth Kingdom axman. The earth kingdom axman is six feet and seven inches tall, he has light yellow skin, thin black eyebrows, black wavy hair, dark green eyes, and a slightly large forehead. His name is Butin and he is in his mid thirties. The earth kingdom archer has a brown pony hail, large thighs, a curvy build, tan skin, and light green eyes. She seems to be in her early twenties. Jesha sees the woman, "Hi, my names Jesha, yours is?"

Earth Kingdom archer: "It's Keada."

Jesha: "It's nice to meet you Keada, are you ready for this?"

Keada takes a deep breath, "Ready enough."

Jesha: "Same, this is gonna be crazy." The heroes deploy from their airships and the blue sky suddenly becomes somewhat cloudy. Part of the sky also turns bright yellow and most of the sun is covered by large white clouds. A cool breeze flows though the air and it is a moderate 15 Celsius (59 Degrees) outside. The ground is a light yellow-green color in this region, the trees are few but they are exceptional tall with dark green leaves and dark brown bark.

The teams mount their eel hounds before they advance across the terrain. Macai's team moves across the left flank, Kett's team moves on the right, and Sada's moves toward the center. Sada's team must move down a low point of terrain to scout the area while Kett moves up a high point of terrain across a vast hill.

Kett's team advances on their hounds, which run at about forty miles an hour, for a decent speed that isn't too obnoxious incase they are attacked. Kett moves in the front with Desan on his right, the earth spearman Konbo on his left, Jarue on his rear left, and Serraj on his rear right flank. As the team advances two firebenders, and one earthbender move to engage their five-person squad.

Alongside the Disciple of Justice benders are two members on scoutrhinos. These rhinos are slimmer and less wide than normal rhinos. They are also faster with thick skin and can run up to thirty miles an hour for a prolonged time, they can briefly sprint up to 50 miles an hour. Scoutrhinos are larger than most fast animals like eel hounds and also have thick dark grey skin with brown stripes. One rider is a female swordsman and the other is a chiseled male with long black hair. The male warrior has a longax. Kett warns, "Spread out, so we don't crash into each other!" A firebender pumps two orange fire torpedoes at Kett's animal. Kett leaps off his animal, but the hound is nailed by the flames and tumbles down.

Kett fires a beam of light orange fire into the firebender before he lands. The other riders move around Kett to avoid crushing him and Kett jumps on the back of Desan's hound. Kett looks at Desan, "I've got your back." Desan nods. The earthbender pounds a volley of stone bricks into Jarue's creature.

Jarue falls off his creature as the animal slides forward. Jarue rubs his sore head. The earthbender turns and faces Desan and Kett's hound. Kett extends his right hand and shoots a light orange flame into his enemies face. Kett: "And that's for the eel hound you killed!"

An archer about twenty feet away aims at Desan's creature. Desan look at Kett, "Oh no, one of their archers."

Kett gulps, "Then it must have..."

Desan finishes Kett's statement, "Explosives!!" The archer launches an explosive arrow directly at the duo's eel hound. The hound leaps right and evades the arrow. A massive explosion occurs behind them.

Desan shouts, "Whoooo!!"

Kett warns, "Get you head down!" Desan leans forward and Kett shoots a beam of light orange fire into the archer. The other archer takes aim at Serraj's creature, but Serraj swiftly pounds an arrow in her enemy's forehead. Jarue moves from behind his fallen creature and notices a firebender taking aim at Desan and Kett's animal. Jarue launches a beam of water into his opponent, the firebender is blasted aside by the water beam.

Jarue comments, "Scratch one." Serraj rides her hound and moves near Jarue.

Serraj winks, "Jump on."

Jarue leaps on the back of Serraj's creature, "I can always count on you Serraj." As Desan's animal moves forward a scoutrhino charges at their eel hound.

Desan: "Oh no."

Kett rubs his hands together, "I've got this." Kett leaps off the eel hound and propels a ray of light orange fire into the female rider. The woman is blasted off her rhino and Kett jumps on it. Kett sways the rhino to the left to avoid crushing his friend. Desan gives Kett a thumbs up.

Another scoutrhino rams itself into Kett's creature, knocking Kett off his rhino. Kett: "Ah, I'm gonna get a concussion if I keep getting knocked off animals." The rider moves his animal right and charges at Desan's hound next. Desan sees the heavy creature sprinting at his left flank. Desan pulls his straps to encourage the hound to sprint forward.

Desan shouts, "Yah yah! Come on girl!" The hound quickly runs to sixty miles an hour and the schoutrhino rider pushes it to go faster. It accelerates to fifty miles an hour. The axman readies his ax, as he intends to throw it at Desan's animal. Serraj takes aim and flings an arrow into the man's neck.

Rhino rider: "Ahhhck!" The rider falls off his creature. The earthspearman Konbo picks up Kett. While this is going on, Sada's team moves down the main pathway. Kanna rides left of Sada's position, the Earth Kingdom axman Butin rides on her right, Jesha rides on her rear right flank, and the Earth Kingdom archer Keada rides on her rear left flank.

Sada notices two archer towers ahead of her position. Below the archer towers, there are several troopers standing watch. Three of the guards are swordsmen, one is a spearman, one is a waterbender, and one is a firebender. Sada looks at her allies, "Spread out, those archers have explosive arrors."

One archer swats an arrow between Butin Kanna and Keada's hound. Kanna's hound sprints left and Keada's hound stops in its tracks to avoid being pulverized. A loud explosion erupts in front of Keada's hound and dirt flies in a few inches short of her face. Sada looks right and bashes a beam of water into the right archer, blasting the man off his platform. The left archer aims directly at Kanna's creature and fires an arrow at her.

Kanna bolts a beam of dark orange fire into the arrow and a large explosion occurs a few feet above her. Smoke flows in the air, making it difficult for Kanna to see. The archer can see better than Kanna but can't get a good look at her location. Instead, he looks at the other riders who are still visible. The archer launches an explosive arrow into Butin's creature. Butin shouts, "Agha!" Butin and his creature fall sideways.

Sada yells, "Butin! He was a good friend." Sada looks and notices the archer. As Sada prepares to attack, the enemy waterbender hurls a volley of ice sickles into the animal. The eel hound roars before it falls over, but Sada slyly leaps off it to avoid being hurt. Sada looks forward and hurls a water shockwave at the bender. The waterbender raises an ice wall and blocks Sada's shot.

The waterbender launches his wall at Sada and Sada leaps right. Sada kicks her right leg, launching a brick of ice into her opponent's stomach. Waterbender: "Ugh!" The left archer takes aim at Sada and is about to fry her. Before the archer can open fire, Keada launches an arrow in his neck, the man falls forward off his tower.

Kanna runs through the smoke and finally can see again but she is only eight few away from several hostiles. A spearman throws his animal directly at Kanna's hound. Kanna's eelhound lays down and Kanna leaps right off her animal to avoid getting nailed. The hound sprints and the spearman screams. The man runs left but the hound rotates it's body left and bucks him aside. Two swordsmen charge at Kanna.

Kanna pumps a dark orange flame into the swordsman on the right. Kanna wastes no timr as she kicks a flame into the swordsman left of her. A firebender launches a gust of red-orange fire at Keada's animal. Sada shoots her own stream of ice into the blast and the two cancel each other out. The firebender turns and punches two flames at the waterbender.

Sada pumps two water torpedoes into the shots. Sada shifts and zaps a surge of hot water at her enemy. The firebender rolls right then Sada shifts her right hand and fires an ice knife into the man's neck. Firebender: "Guh!" A swordsman runs at Sada's left flank but Sada extends her left hand and swats a brick of ice into his face.

Kanna catches up with Sada, "I don't know where my hound went."

Sada: "It's ok, we should continue the rest on foot. Look." Sada points and Kanna notices a cave guarded by two DOJ troopers. The troopers have the standard dark grey battle armor, dark grey helmets, orange visors, and orange stripes. One trooper has a spear and the other has a sword. Further ahead of them is a warrior with dual axes, a female firebender, someone with a double bladed sword, and a long swordsman.

Kanna: "Looks like we found an entrance." Sada sprints ahead and Kanna runs on her left; holding her speed back until the right moment. Jesha sprints at their right with her dual swords drawn and Keada runs a few feet behind them with her bow ready. The firebender notices Sada and launches a beam of orange fire at her. Sada raises a water wall, which intercepts the shot but is also evaporated by the heat. Sada pulls her right hand back then tosses an explosive waterball at the firebender. The firebender slides forward and kicks a beam of orange fire at the water prodigy while doing so.

Sada slides left then leaps back on her feet and throws two ice knives at her enemy. The firebender launches himself in the air with a gust of orange fire shoots two fire torpedoes at her. Sada pulls her hands left and blasts her body right with a beam of water. The firebender starts to descend from the air and shoots a long rod of orange fire at her. Sada rolls right and the fire beam lands a few feet behind her.

The fire rod explodes on impact and Sada stumbles forward. The firebender runs and shoots two fireballs at her. Sada backflips on her feet and launches a gust of water into the fireballs while doing so. Sada countes and pumps two water balls into her enemy. The warrior with dual axes is actually an earthbender. He swings his axes from right to left, launching several stones at Kanna.

A volley of stones flies at Kanna's face and she slides left. The eartbender readjusts his position and launches another barrage of objects at the young firebender. Kanna flips right then rotates her right leg and roundhouse kicks a fireball into the man's chest. A trooper with a double-bladed sword leaps toward Jesha with a diagonal spinning attack.

The Jesha leaps right then lunges at her enemy. The swordsman rotates his blade and horizontally slashes at her chest. Jesha leaps backward, never before fighting an opponent with such a strange weapon. The man rotates his blade again and vertically swipes at Jesha's head. Jesha crosses her blades and blocks the strike.

Jesha pushes her swords up, causing her opponent to take two backsteps. Jesha leaps forward and horizontally sweeps her blades at her enemy's open lower body. The duelist backflips and rotates his blade horizontally. The man lunges at Jesha and laterally lashes at her neck. Jesha ducks then hops at her enemy and bats her right blade at him with an upward strike.

The duelist takes a backstep then vertically lunges at the female marine with a downward stripe. Jesha rotates her body left and slices the man's head off with a counter swing. Jesha left sword is stained with blood. A warrior with a long sword charges at Keada, the archer fires an arrow at the man's neck.

The swordsman easily deflects the arrow and Keada pops a second arrow at his stomach. The swordsman swings low and swats the arrow aside. Keada shoots again at his right shoulder, but the man blocks it while coming forward. Keada fires another two arrows but the swordsman blocks them then sprints at his opponent.

Keada moves forward and chucks her dagger at the man's left side. The swordsman easily swats the dagger aside but is briefly distracted by the move. Keada bolts another arrow into the man's neck. The earth archer retrieves her arrow and Sada nods at her in respect. Kanna sprints toward the cave guards.

Guard 1: "Hey, Kanna is coming this way."

Guard 2: "Retreat!"

Guard 1: "Zerrel will kill us if we run."

Guard 2: "Then we're dead either way." Kanna kicks a dark orange flame into the first guard's stomach. The flame explodes on impact and knocks him back several feet. Guard 2: "I surrender."

Kanna: "You don't seem very zealous for a DOJ member."

Guard 2: "Most of these guys are nuts, but you shouldn't stereotype us all. I joined and realized I got in with the wrong people. I wanted to stand up to the man, then I realized these people are lunatics."

Kanna: "If you truly believe that, drop your weapon and surrender immediately." The guard drops his spear then reaches for his left side. Kanna pumps a dark orange flame into the man's stomach, she realized her was reaching for his dagger.

Sada steps behind Kanna, "Gotta be careful, but I admire your mercy." Keada and Jesha step behind them. Sada comments, "Looks like we found our in route."

Kanna: "We'll need to find the keys to the cells, there will need to be a room for that somewhere."

Mysterious Adventure

Macai's team presses their advance. Macai rides ahead on his eel hound while Hagenko moves right of his position, Moriana's creature (the earthbender) moves on his left, Kaft (the water tribe swordsman) rides on his rear left, and Arret's eel hound moves on his rear right flank.

Macai pulls out his binoculars and notices an enemy position. The defense team consists of two swordsmen, a man on a javelin turret (a mounted wooden and steel device that fires spears at enemies), an earthbender, and two archers (in the back). Macai warns the others, "I'm going for that turret. Arret, be ready to take out one of those archers! I'll need someone else to take the other archer."

Moriana replies, "I've got it."

Macai: "I also saw a bender, keep an eye on him. He'll try to stop us. We will need to be swift and adaptive to pull this off with minimal casualties." The riders move forward and the earthbender notices them as they move in closer.

DOJ earthbender: "Enemies incoming, gun them down!" The turret gunner fires a volley of spears at Macai's animal (which is charging ahead of the others. The spears fly at 30 miles an hour. Macai's hound leaps left and avoids three incoming spears. The gunner turns his turret and fires again. The spears fly directly at Macai and his animal.

Macai is caught off guard and hops off his creature, landing directly under it. Two spears that would have nailed Macai fly over his head and land a few feet behind him. The other one hits Macai's creature, dropping it. The hound cries before it falls, and Macai shakes his head. The turret aims at the 31st commander but Moriana raises her hands and launches a shockwave of earth at the gunner.

The turret and man behind it are crushed to pieces. Macai takes a deep breath, knowing he almost died. After all his enemies and all his battles, he knows the 31st has never fought an enemy so fierce. Deep down he worries if the costs of victory might be too great, but he stands back up knowing the costs will only be worse if he stops trying now.

Macai extends his hands and shoots down one of the swordsmen with a beam of white fire. Kaft rides beside him, "Hop on, commander!" Macai jumps on the back of Kaft's animal, and they ride. Moriana takes the leap and Hagenko rides on her left. The earthbender launches a wall of earth into Moriana's animal. The earthbender flips off her animal and fires three bricks into her enemy. Moriana looks up and sees an explosive arrow flying at her.

Moriana leaps right and a large explosion erupts behind her. Hagenko's creature tramples a swordsman then Hagenko thrusts his spear into a swordsman left of him. Hagenko chucks his spear into an archer's chest. The other archer fires at Arret's creature. Arret's hound gallops right and dodges a deadly explosion. Arret pounds her own arrow into the man's chest.

The clouds turn from white to grey and it starts raining lightly. The faint crack of thunder can be heard and a few mild sparks of lightning decorate the sky. Hagenko retrieves his spear and Macai looks ahead in his binoculars. Macai notices several enemy soldiers stand around multiple supply crates. A few feet behind them there is a large mine that is about thirty feet wide. Moriana looks at Macai, "What do you see?"

Macai: "Dozens of troops. They are doing something big here." Macai uses his binoculars again and notices three swordsmen, two spearmen, two large men with battlehammers, a firebender, and earthbender, and a man with dual curved swords. Macai can't tell which bender is which from the distance but he knows the two unarmed men must be benders.

Macai looks at his teammates, "Alright, are you all ready for action?" Moriana nods.

Kaft: "Never been more ready in my life." Hagenko nods at Macai.

Arret: "Ready sir."

Macai: "Good, let's go." Macai's team sprints toward their enemies. Macai runs in front, Hagenko moves on his left, Moriana moves on his right, Arret moves on his rear left, and Kaft watches his rear right flank.

Kaft briefly looks at Macai, "I never thought we'd be fighting together."

Macai: "Me neither, but it is an honor to have you at my side."

Kaft smiles, "The honor is all mine." A firebender and the earthbender immediately notice their enemies and move towards them. The earthbender launches several four objects at Macai. Macai fires two of his own flames into incoming stones. Macai moves his head right, avoiding a third stone then blocks a fourth one with his right arm.

Macai shifts his hands and blows a brick of white fire into his enemy's chest. The firebender lunges at Hagenko and punches an orange flame at the marine. The seasoned trooper rolls left and Arret shoots an arrow in the man's stomach. A large warrior with a battle hammer emerges and charges at Hagenko. A spearman and two swordsmen charge at Moriana.

Moriana quickly fires a volley of stones into the swordsmen. The spearman lunges at Moriana, but Moriana creates dual stone wrist shields then slams her wrist shields against the man's spear. Moriana sways her arms left, rotating the spear in the other direction. Moriana pumps a stone from her right hand into her opponent's abdomen.

The man with the battlehammer lunges right at Hagenko's midsection. Hagenko kneels, to avoid being crushed then rises and slams his spear into the man's stomach. The brute grabs a hold of the spear and pulls it backward. The butt of Hagenko's spear hits his stomach, causing the marine to roll backward then the heavytrooper rises again.

Arret shoots an arrow at the brute's right shoulder. The arrow hits his shoulder but bounces right off. The large man swings down at Hagenko's body but Hagenko rolls right. Arret fires another arrow in the right side of the man's neck. The powerhouse pulls the arrow out of his neck and blood flows from it but he still stands on his feet. The juggernaut howls at the archer then Hagenko rises to his feet.

Hagenko charges at his opponent with his dagger drawn and the man pulls his hammer horizontally and pops Hagenko in his left side. The brute didn't expect to the marine to rush him, so he didn't swing at full force, but he still hit Hagenko hard enough to launch him three feet to the right. A dent is left in the marine's armor but he's still breathing.

Arret fires another arrow into the brute's nose, and he finally falls. Another warrior with a battle hammer charges at Moriana. The United Way earthbender launches a three-foot wide brick at him but the brute swats it aside. Moriana fires a volley of rocks into the man's face. Brute: "Ugh!" The man shouts and runs through incoming rocks before horizontally swinging at his opponent, "Errreerrrrraaagh!!!"

Moriana slides right then rises to her feet. The brute turns around and Moriana fiercely stretches her right hand, launching a large brick into his face. The blow cracks the man's nose and blood flows from it. The warrior holds his blade up high and charges at Moriana again. A spearman aims his weapon at Moriana while her back is turned but Macai pumps a white flame into him. The brute vertically dives at Moriana then she rolls left. The large man pounds his hammer into the dirt, leaving an imprint below. Moriana pulls her right back and generates a stone knife. As the brute begins to turn around, she hops on his back and slams her blade into the back of his neck. The large man falls into the ground and Moriana falls off of him. Moriana takes a breath and Macai looks at her. The girl notices Macai and gives him a thumbs up.

A swordsman vertically swings at Kaft. Kaft horizontally blocks the strike then rotates his blade and horizontally cuts the swordsman down. A man with dual curved swords jumps at Kaft from his right flank with a diagonally spinning strike. Kaft rolls left then the man lunges at his with a horizontal right swing. The Water Tribe duelist backpedals and the DOJ duelist backswings at Kaft's neck.

Kaft ducks and backpedals then dives and vertically swats at his enemy. The duelist crosses his blade and blocks Kaft's strike. The man pulls his blades back and Kaft's sword flies out of his hands. The duelist prepares to lunge at him, but Arret fires an arrow in his back. Kaft takes a deep breath and salutes her.