Book 2: Earth

Chapter 19- A Burden of Destiny

The plateau was an unremarkable place, devoid of landmarks save for an endless stretch of barren land that eventually led to the rocky canyon of the great divide. From time immemorial, the plateau, and the desert roads that branched through it, served as a valuable connection between the coastal cities of the west and south to the great city of Ba Sing Se. In better times, this network of roads gave birth to several small villages and tribes, such as the Gan Jin and the Zhang, who made lives for themselves in this harsh, unforgiving landscape. Chin the conqueror had seen the value in this patch of land, and many battles had been fought here, leading up even to the hundred year war, where many a Fire Nation general had seen the value in controlling the desert roads leading to Ba Sing Se. More recently, it was said that the previous incarnation of the Avatar had traveled these roads as well to head north on his journey.

Now, the plateau was littered in the ruins of the previous war. A scattering of ruined villages and crumbling homes were all that were left of the once great tribes that lived on the plain, having long abandoned their homelands in the face of the constant conflict and strife. Battle scars littered the land, from the scorched skeletons of forests that resulted from the day of the Great Burning, to the ruined husks of old Earthbending and Fire Nation tanks. Bleached bones and rusted armor littered the land as well, denoting the battles that had been fought to preserve the independence of the Southern Earth Kingdom.

Today, however, the Earth Kingdom would do more than simply defend.

Hundreds of flags fluttered in the air as the divisions of the Earth Kingdom soldiers stood in solid formation. At the front, were columns of heavy Earthbending Caterpillar tanks, each one armed with the latest in the Earthbending cannons that were devised by the Mechanist.

Opposing them, blocking the great road through the divide to Ba Sing Se, was the Crimson Army. The Fire Nation's main army operating inside the Earth Kingdom. Numbering just as large as the Earth Kingdom's army, they were a terrifying presence with their crisp banners and formations, all the while spearheaded by a group of at least a hundred of the Firebending Tundra tanks.

In times past, such a sight would have intimidated any Earth Kingdom General, knowing just how badly outgunned they would be by the Fire Nation's superior weaponry and technology.

But not today.

In front of the Earth Kingdom army, a cavalry scout sped towards their position, the ostrich horse crowing in protest as its rider pushed it to the limit, throwing up a tremendous cloud of dust in its wake.

At the center of the formation, guidons and banners fluttering about, General Giam stood calmly, sporting the heavy dark green armor of an Earth Kingdom general. He brushed his chin silently as he watched the pristine military order with which his opponent advanced. Even if they were Fire Nation. An army on the march was a beautiful sight indeed.

The cavalry commander quickly stopped beside the general as he appreciated the view, saluting formally.

"Sir," Lee said crisply. "My men have confirmed that the enemy advancing is the vanguard. The main armies of General Ruon-Jian, and the Crimson Armada are maybe a few days behind."

So Azula is taking us seriously after all...excellent. Giam grinned as he took in the news. The Crimson Armada was the name of Admiral Chan's fleet. No doubt that he is bringing up the Airships in support as well to assist Ruon-Jian's land army. That was perfect for his plan. Once he destroyed both their forces on the field, Ba Sing Se and Yu Dao would be defenseless, their garrisons stripped bare and undermanned. Ripe for the picking.

Now, Giam thought, Now was the chance they were all waiting for. To finally avenge the humiliation twenty years ago. Of A hundred years ago!