Operation: Interception <Wilderness, EarthKingdom>

[boragan]

After listening to Suki's proposition, Bora crossed his arms and looked down to the corner of his eyes to contemplate a decision. He knew the Kyoshi Warriors reputation of being an interception unit. Not to mention that they specialized at guerrela tactics. With them doing their own thing, it might give them an edge in their fight.

Then again, if they were to separate from the main unit, it might pose as a critical error for the battalion. From what he knew, Suki might possibly have experience fighting the Fire Nation before, something Bora has never done often, especially against heavy machinery as theirs.

"I think it would be in the best interest for you to operate on your own," Bora answered Suki, "However, I don't feel right just having you guys out there by yourselves. If something were to happen to you all, I would feel responsible."

He looked toward Suki, "Tell you what. I will give you two flares. In case something goes wrong or if you get overwhelmed, I want you to use them, signalling to me that there is trouble. I will personally come help you."

He wouldn't admit it to the rest of them, but he did show some concern for Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors. Even when he is a battle veteran, his age and experience took it's toll on him when it came to compassion. He only knew how to run his battalion, but no other team assisted him. This feeling was too new to him.

"Do you have any questions? If you do, ask them now. If not, then move out. We got a battle to win."

[prodigy]

TTher was thick with anticipation, the thunder of the troops moving out music to the Princess's ears. Their Swift mounts, chosen in case such evasion would be needed, were surrounded by men on on foot with various halberds and other weapons and then they had the 8th Mobile Land Ship Team—Detached Platoon. The Lucky Eight... The Princess's face remained stone as she reviewed the information she knew about the 8MLST-DP. They were famous throughout the Fire Nation, and it was no surprise that they were to be at the siege of Ba Seng Sei. They would soon add even more than luck to their nickname.

There was no way that the massive movement could be silenced, especially with the tank. They had received little intelligence on the sighting.. except that that the earthquakes weren't certainly caused by just earth benders out for a stroll. The Earth Kingdom had their own legendary division, and last the Princess heard when she had been sailing over.. they were within the general region: The Thunder Fist Battalion.

It would be a great day when the Fire Nation defeated that troublesome battalion. There had been skirmishes before between Fire Nation forces and the Thunder fist.. usually ending in a draw. Azula had to admire some of the resources of the Earth Kingdom, but not nearly all of them.

Azula rode the Basilisk lizard without so much a quiver.
They were getting closer, the wind was dying down.. and the sun was rising high into the sky. It would be a good day for battle. She lifted an arm quickly, before throwing her manicured hand forward. The order to hasten speed, which would be spread through out the ranks. The large, olive-green and ocean blue lizards, with their pale underbellies, sped up, surpsingly agile for as low to the ground ad they sat. Surrounded by soliders, with tanks to the front and rear, She was in her element. The sun illuminated her ivory skin, and her lips glistened with scarlet paint. Her hair was been brushed carefully before they had headed out, not a single strand was out of place. The diadem that sat on her topknot was now edged in gold, a little war decoration. Only the Fire Lord could wear an all gold diadem flame. And dear little Daddy's girl certainly didn't push the rules..

She handed the reins expertly, having grown up on military mounts. Riding alongside her, Mai and Ty lee, both trained heavily in their respectable arts. Lady Agni, in her human guise, also rode along, but with a solider, seeing as they had given the excuse that she did not know how to handle the Basilisk Lizards.
The women were traveling with the intention of watching the battle, least that was the formal excuse. Azula's jaw grew tight though as she considered leaping into the fray herself. She was the Princess.. she could do whatever she wanted. However, she must also take caution and make her actions wisely. She would wait to see what they encountered before deciding. It would not be wise to make a fool of one's self before the Great Goddess of Fire.

[suki]

"Thank you, Major," Suki replied to the commander's offer of signal flares. They would likely prove useful in signalling either a flanking opporunity or the need for rescue. The Kyoshi Warrior strongly hoped for the former and not the latter...

"No further questions, Sir. We will report back after the battle." Suki offered a bow to the Major, as did the rest of the Kyoshi warriors, and as one they started out of the tent. They made swift work of storing their travelling gear and extracting everything they needed for battle. Shields were strapped to their forearms, swords were secured to their sashes and steel fans were tucked into their armor as well. Within a few minutes, they were ready for battle, and one of the battallion soldiers approached them. He handed Suki a pair of relatively small cylindrical fireworks. According to his instructions, they had simply to point the red-colored end toward the sky and give a rope on the bottom a swift yank. It would send a smoke bomb high into the air that should be able to be seen from miles away.

Suki looked over the devices and then stored one in her sash while she gave the other to Aoru. In the off-chance of an ambush, they'd have a better chance of sending off the flare if more than one person was holding them.

At long last, with every preparation made, the Kyoshi warriors began their march away from the primary encampment. Along the way, they managed to catch sight of Bora Gan one last time, and whether he was too preoccuppied to notice them or not, they offered a respectful salute. Then, it was off into the woods, moving at a swift pace in order to try and flank the marching Fire Nation troops.

[boragan]

Within his tent, Bora prayed in front of a portable shrine. This shrine held a statue of his old mentor that raised him when he was a child. A brave man he was, he lead his tribe well. He missed him a lot. He was an important figure to him. If only he lived to see his progress. The incense filled the tent with a harmonic fragrance.

"Sir!" one of the lieutenants called out from the tent.

"What is it?" Bora answered with spite.

"The Fire Nation, they are on the move," the officer told him.

Fire Nation, already? They weren't suppose to leave this early. Whoever is commanding this group, was quite clever. Unpredictable this new person was. To Bora, this excited him. He picked up his kabuto and donned it on his head, then turned to the lieutenant. He didn't say a word as Bora passed him. He went outside the tent and ordered his troops in a loud, gruff voice, "THE ENEMY IS HERE! PREPARE YOURSELVES. WE MOVE OUT NOW!"

Grabbing his tetsubo in his hand and slung it over hi shoulders, he climbed onto the back of a lion-ox and proceeded to the area that the Fire Nation was most likely be at the certain time.

"Scout, tell the Kyoshi Warriors to be at this general location," Bora explained as he pointed to an area of the map. The scout complied and carried out his orders to find the Kyoshi Warriors.

"More than likely, there will be some form of machinery from the Fire Nation. We will have the earthbenders preoccupy them while the warriors of mine will fight their soldiers.

As the warriors moved out, Bora followed close behind them, motivating them into a controlled frenzy. Within a new battle, Bora along with the entire army would chant the warriors prayer.

"Spirits of war I call you," Bora chanted.
"Spirits of war I call you," the warriors repeated.
"My sword is by my side."
"My sword is by my side."
"I seek a life of honor."
"I seek a life of honor."
"Free from all false pride."
"Free from all false pride."

"I will crack the whip."
"I will crack the whip."
"With a bold mighty hail."
"With a bold mighty hail."
"Cover me with death."
"Cover me with death."
"If I should ever fail."
"If I should ever fail."

"Glory!"
"Glory!"
"Majesty!"
"Majesty!"
"Unity!"
"Unity!"
"Hail!"
"Hail!"
"Hail!"
"Hail!"

With a bold and mighty cry, Bora and brave warriors let out the last phrase.

"HAIL!"

[agni]

Lady Izanami... yes, that is the name Agni chose for this human form. She was once again dressed in that headdress that lit her inky black hair, and that open, flowing dress of glowing embers. She was astride a Basilisk Lizard, in front of a now uncomfortable soldier who she was sure may not be able to stand properly later.

Agni's bright eyes were locked on the back of the Princess' head, the luxurious black-brown hair done up in a shining diadem of the Fire Nation's symbol. She wanted to see exactly what Azula did in this battle, wanted to see exactly what Azula was made of. Sure, Azula was talented beyond talent, and she was coolly curel and calmly charismatic... but battle proved a man's -- anyone's -- worth.

Was the princess worth everything Agni was willing to put in her? Perhaps. Perhaps even more than her own daughter. A fine hand armed with nasty, ruby-red claws in the form of neatly manicured fingernails steadied herself against the neck of the beast of burden she rode. Azula might have been female, but she very well could be the next ruler of the Fire Nation -- and possibly the world -- if things went the girl's way.

Thunderous roaring hit her ears -- the scum of the Earth were near by. Adrenaline started to pump into Agni's system. She would have to be sure that she did not interefere as long as her life was not in danger. She could not protect any of the soldiers, either -- though she may get away with helping Azula keep her life, if need be.

[vishnu]

As the sun threw its rays over the Earth Kingdom, it is easy to recognize this day as s a fine day for battle. Word has even spread through selected parts of the Spirit Realm, a battle which included the Fire Nation’s princess, Azula, as well as the Earth Kingdom’s legendary battalion, the Thunderfist Battalion. Some active spirits had even taken minor forms, such as small animals, trees, or simply stood invisible to the mortals.

But alas, Vishnu did not have the opportunity to watch the fight, as so many others were doing. He came for two reasons, the first was the take the souls of the dead, as it was Vishnu’s job to move them on, and reincarnate them. The second, however, was to make sure fate played out the way it was supposed to. Not long ago (for a spirit, an immortal spirit, at least), Vishnu had reasoned with a hotheaded Din, a spirit more than willing to attack Agni during these war skirmishes.

Although Vishnu felt as if he had calmed Din down, balance was much too delicate to be based of a single feeling. Agni had her own role to play in fate, Vishnu was sure of that. If not fate, Vishnu simply wanted Agni alive, no reason necessarily needed. Taking the form of a hawk, Vishnu stayed high in the sky, following the army of Fire Nation soldiers moving closer and closer to their enemy.

His eyes caught the figures of all the soldiers, and recognized Azula, leading, and Agni, perched on a basilisk lizard with another soldier, as if she wasn’t capable enough to ride it herself. With a chuckle, Vishnu swooped upwards towards the sky and circled the army. If there was any trouble caused by spirits, it would most likely be here…

[zilong]

The soldiers of the 502nd Infantry Division had been marching for a while now, spread out in formation among the tanks of the “Lucky” Eighth. Zilong didn’t like that name. Soldiers shouldn’t be counting on luck. Regardless of his feelings about their name, however, Zilong marched silently. He was too excited about the battle to be distracted by something so petty, anyway. The minutes that passed by were agonizing. He wanted to fight, to lay waste to the soldiers of Earth Kingdom with fire and steel. How much longer must he wait?

At last, a sound broke the silence. The sound of many voices yelling, though it could not be distinguished what they were saying. That didn’t matter, though. What mattered was that it meant that the rockheads were nearby. The time for glorious battle was at last at hand. Zilong’s grip tightened on his weapon and he felt himself grinning wide. Almost instantly, he was yelling right back at the voices, a loud roar that was soon joined by the others of the 502nd. With the din the tanks were making, they weren’t exactly going to be sneaking around anyway, so what was the difference? Satisfied with his retort, he turned to Captain Wenyuan and gave him a short glance, his eyes gleaming. Wenyuan was not quite as enthusiastic, returning the fiery gaze of Zilong with a cold look. They were two opposites in their approach to battle. However, the message was clear, and at once the captain peeled off from the main group and made his way towards where the Princess was riding.

“Orders, Princess?” Wenyuan asked simply, keeping pace with her mount.

[din]

Din watched from a tree in the forest where the Fire Nation army was marching to... they certainly looked tough. There were enough of them to give the whole world trouble, and they were here at Ba Seng Sei... this was most unfortunate. He could also see Agni in her human form coming with them, and Azula as well. He wondered if he should go greet her... it would certainly be an interesting meeting. He'd seen Vishnu here, although he didn't know if Agni had seen him or not. He'd figured Vishnu would have to show up eventually. Wouldn't trust Din by his own word. Din sighed, and decided that he, indeed, would give Agni a greeting.

He flew to the ground, and transformed himself into his human state, knowing he was safe for two reasons: Agni had probably been warned not to kill any other spirits as well as DIn had, and two, Vishnu was here. He was not afraid of the army, in any case. If need be, he would defend himself.

His human form was that of a 45 year old man, with a grizzled beard and piercing blue-grey eyes. His head was shaved, and there were wrinkles in his face. His arms were strong, although he could hardly be described as buff. He stood about 5'10", and was fairly lanky. The way his eyes darted around, you could tell his brain was still young. His clothing consisted of undergarments and a long, flowing, green robe, with sandals for shoes. He would have preferred orange, obviously, but he was in the Earth Kingdom, and wished that nobody but Agni knew who he was. He walked forward, plastering a look of fear on his face. He decided that he would be a messenger. Yes... that would do. A messenger. "Don't kill the messenger," eh?

He needed to talk to Agni anyway. There were some things he needed to clear up, and this was as good a time as any. Better, because Agni wouldn't want to talk, but because Vishnu was here, Din could force her to, on the happenstance that he was making sure she didn't do anything in battle.

He carried with him a piece of white cloth in his hand, signaling that either he was a civilian, or that he surrendered, or that he meant no harm, depending on how the signal was thought of. He knew that Agni would know him when she saw him, so he was not afraid. He knew that she would stop them... and if they didn't, he'd run or something. It didn't matter.

[dongfeng]

Funny how war is...

Dong Feng, Spirit of the East Wind, thought to himself as he took his mortal form. A grey horse with white dapples on his flanks, pale eyes, grey like his people. Nobody at a long distance will notice a white grazing. Expecially one with grey eyes, and fangs. Dong was here keeping an eye on Din, since that wrathful storm-owl wants to distrurb the balance. Dong Feng decided that he would at least watch what going on, and help his brother when he needed it. He caught Agni's human scent on the breeze. And he felt the energy of Vishnu near by as well, but he didn't want to bother the lion god of reincarnation. His eyes were on Din waving his white flag, dressed as mortal man. And ugly old man. Dong Feng shudderd.

The stallion trotted down hill and grazed in the shade munching on the clover and wood sorrel that was there. I hope you know what you're doing Din, I don't want to save your ass when it comes to it. Dong Feng didn't do much more except swivle his ears

[vu]

Chest above the machine's main hatch, Vu observed the man who commanded the 502nd Infantry Division as he hustled to the front towards Princess Azula's mount. A Captain Wenyuan, whose men were spread about and in formation with Vu's small platoon of six war crawlers. Columns of men a few rows deep marching on either side of each war crawler. Leftovers bringing up the rear or marching ahead of them yet behind the Princess Azula and her entourage.

Vu leaned over the hatch, observing Wenyuan who was likely asking for orders, himself wondering where the princess would be once they finally met and engaged the Earth Kingdom soldiers.

Far behind us, he wanted. Almost praying. Nothing good would come of his career, or maybe even his life, if the princess came in harm's way. Or even worse. No good would come of his life if tragedy befell her highness.

Azula's entourage however? Well... he could likely be demoted at most. Maybe discharged at worst. But the princess? That would likely be an execution.

Holding his breath, Vu toyed with the right vambrace, a leather guard, on his forearm. To Vu, the two items underneath the vambrace were fast becoming good luck charms to him. Or at least one of them was.

One was merely a plain strip of maroon cloth. A parting gift from a local Earth Kingdom woman, he assumed, that went by the name Kage Gale. The other delicately placed, folded over and cover by that strip of cloth was a phoenix feather. A feather belonging to the patron spirit of the Fire Nation, Lady Agni herself, dropped onto his head.

Vu turned to look behind him, staring at the unit standard attached to his war crawler, A black flag marked with a centered, red elephant head encompassed by eight flames that were the emblem of the Fire Nation emblem.

"May whatever luck my Gods and Ancestors have given me hold out," he uttered.

[prodigy]

The Princess graced Wueyan with one of her stotic looks, her face vapid in the boundless energy that filled the soliders and her entourage. Yet her eyes danced with the fire that one cold only witness in a sacred duel, an Agni Kai. Her face, though the color of sand among calmer surroundings, seemed to glow with an inner light from her blood pulsing below her skin. Their were gods among them.. spirits. She could feel it..

"Do what you do best, Captain Wueyan." Her tone was nonchalant, converstational as she closed her eyes and gave the captain a shrug, the little movement shifting the double-layered collar she wore, everything spalshed with the color of Fire. "Leave none standing, show no mercy."

Her philisophy was as simple as that. Her eyes, like a fierce panther's and the same golden turned back forward, grazing the heads of the soliders who marched afront of her. It was a dismissal of sorts, unless of course he had anything more to add or to discuss. She would listen to a battle plan of course, as she studied stragety quite heavily in school, her mun however has not. The Princess rode along like a professional, her back rimrod straight. She wondered how Lady Izanami was doing.. the Goddess of course could handle any beast, but it was the charade that needed to be kept up.

Azula lifted a hand from the leather reins, her fingers perfectly manicured.. heaven forbid she seen with chipped nails. She extended it to Wueyan in a gesture perhaps reserved for only a few. It was an invitation to continue to speak if he had anymore to share. "Is their anything else, Captain?"

[boragan]

After the battle cry was shouted, the entire battalion went silent. They waited for the next order from Bora. He looked into the eyes of his warriors for a few minutes, seeing what they could achieve.

"My fellow, I can guarantee that some of you won't see the next morning," Bora shouted. The warriors laughed at his statement.
"Even though some of you may die, when you do, you take more of them as well, for you will be their escort straight to Hell!"

The warriors let out a loud grunt of approval as Bora continued.
"We are the Thunderfist Battalion, the greatest army in the history of the Earth Kingdom. Mightier than the Dai Li and more fierce than the Earth Kingdom soldiers. Unlike them who fight and try to preserve, we are not afraid to die. No, instead we embrace it, for our sons and daughters will feel our spirits and become better warriors. Our spirits will never die. Our bodies will one day die, but our spirits are true immortals! Do not forget that my warriors when you pass from this life."

Bora turned to face the general direction of the Fire Nation, squinting his eyes in disapproval. He tried to increase the morale of his warriors by stomping his feet on the ground. The warriors followed suit and did as well in sync.

"Now," Bora Gan thought, "They just need the attack first, assuming they are close by.. After that, we shall become ferocious!"

[zilong]

"Is their anything else, Captain?"

Wenyuan bowed his head respectfully, “Nothing further, Princess.”

The conversation closed, Wenyuan adjusted his pace to return to the front of the soldier’s formation. Upon his return, he issued a series of quick hand signals, making sure to do so high above his head so the tanks could see as well. His sergeants relayed the command to their units, and the formation shifted direction to head towards where the earlier yells had come from. However, in doing so, they changed formation, essentially splitting up into three even groups and spreading out. The left and right groups marched a little ahead of the central group, giving the formation the look of a semi-circle. The idea was that they would be able to contain and control the enemy from the flanks to hinder retreat, and then hammer them with the middle of the formation.

Naturally, the best close combat units were in the center formation, and that was therefore where Zilong and his unit were. For a short time, they marched like this, making their way through the lightly forested area until at last they came out on the other side into a large clearing. At the other side of the clearing were their targets. They were Earth Kingdom soldiers, but Zilong could tell by their armor that they weren’t of the ordinary breed. For a moment, Zilong pondered this, but then he saw their banner, a fist holding a thunderbolt. His eyes went wide momentarily, somewhat shocked. That quickly passed, however, as a wolfish grin slowly took over his face and he let out a long, deep laugh.

“Thunderfist!” he said, his voice filled with sadistic glee. “Excellent! This day could not possibly get any better!”

“Thunderfist? What’s that?” inquired a nearby soldier.

Zilong turned to the soldier, and his grin grew impossibly wider, “One of the rockheads’ big units. Supposed to be strong. Fought off the Rough Rhinos a little while ago. Their leader apparently beat Mongke man to man.”

The soldier’s face went a little pale, but Zilong seemed completely unaffected. He turned back to the ranks of the Thunderfist, scanning the crowd. He loved a good challenge in battle, and this would certainly be a challenge. However, he wanted one challenge specifically. Mongke may be a bit overrated, but anyone who could beat him was definitely worth fighting…and killing.

“So, if you see anyone with a tetsubo out there, let me know,” Zilong growled, the sadistic part of his voice having fully replaced the glee by now. “He’s all mine!”

At this point, Wenyuan had begun issuing orders, “Tanks, set fire at the forest behind and surrounding them to cut off their retreat! Flanks, fire from your current position! Central group, fire, advance five paces, then fire again! On my command…”

The firebenders of the 502nd Infantry Division spread out into a line from their current position and took a ready stance, Zilong among them.

“Fire!”

[vu]

"Tch," Vu clicked his tongue on his teeth. An obvoius tactic to use given their current battlefield as each side came into this clearing with sparsely populated trees encompassing them. Other than there being enough earthbenders left alive, and not trying to perserve themselves, on hand to snuff out a pathway for a retreat there was the likelihood of the fire going out of control and turning back on them.

But the latter could easily be handled later if that did happen, Vu believed. Ignoring the Princess and her entourage for the time being he merely nodded to his fellow captain and went to work.

"Full halt and hold position!" Vu commanded to his own crew, announcing the order to the rest of his platoon by raising his right hand with closed fingers. Calling for a halt, then balling his hand into a fist for them to hold their position.

Each of the six war crawlers were broken into groups of two. Each duet positioned in the rear of either the left, center or right groups. Rather than side to side, each pair of war crawlers instead worked with one positioned forward while the second was further back and to the right of the lead crawler.

Taking his position in the rear of the center group while being to the back and right of the lead crawler he teamed with, Vu continued hand signaling his platoon. Both arms out, fingers outstretched, he laid his hands upon the treeline in his view. Above each finger a small flame ignited. For a moment turning his digits into candles.

Finishing his command with one final gesture, Vu dropped downed into the hatch and closed it.

Fully seated, Vu then began to catch up with his platoon as they lobbed shots above the heads of Earth Kingdom soldiers. The front view hatch opened before him. Repeatedly, with cupped hands at his chest, as if holding a ball, Vu pushed his arms forward. Vu and his platoon hurled fireball after fireball streaking into the air. Pulling apart their hands and spreading out their fingers each time as they did, causing each basketball sized fireball to burst into even smaller fireballs that sporadically landed on treetops. Slowly igniting foilage as they created and attempted to combine into larger pools of flame.

[suki]

The very ground rumble with the march of two opposing armies, and even from a distance the Kyoshi warriors could feel it. Dashing between groves of trees for cover, nothing but blurs of green movement, the girls took pause for a moment as they listened to the sounds of war. For young women who had lived their lives on a sparsely populated island, being this close to a clash of so many warriors was truly a unique experience.

"This is the real thing, I guess," Tsuya remarked, staring awestruck towards the source of the noise. Suki glanced back from her position at the edge of the little tree cluster where they'd taken cover.

"This is why we came," the Kyoshi leader replied. Bringing up the rear guard, Aoru crouched passively as ever, her face a picture of concentration. Hana seemed eager to get back into battle once again, while Kopa and Aoi seemed understandably quieted. Suki took a deep breath to steel herself against the imposing sounds of easily a thousand marching footsteps. She was fairly certain she heard the griding of mechanical gears, too...

"We stick to the plan, though," she said to her fellow warriors. "We get as close as we can to the enemy's rear. If there's an opening to take out their commander, we sieze it. And if they have a rear guard, we can at least engage them and draw some of their forces back and away from the fight with Major Bora." Her words were met with nods of understanding, and Suki gave one final nod of her own. "Let's move."

The half-dozen warriors from Kyoshi island resumed their stealthy trek through the woods, even as the sounds of battle began to echo around them.