Avatar: The Book Of The Phoenix

Black Thunder, Pt. 1

The beach had been turned into a wall, and it still looked too small.

Fire Nation ranks stood in the open light—battlements of packed sand and timber, fire catapults on sledges, spike-lines, banners snapping toward a horizon that had not yet done anything. From the cliff the whole arrangement was visible at once, which was worse.

You could see how much sand there was. You could see how much water.

Sokka lowered his own scope and did not offer it around. "I hate this island. I used to hate it because of the play. Now I hate it because there's a navy attached."

Suki's eyes stayed on the water. "Hold the line they built. That's all anyone down there can do."

Toph tipped her head. "Ground's lying. Too much sand, not enough stone. Those battlements are going to move when something heavy hits them."

Katara glanced at Aang. "Hakoda's in the cove?"

"He is," Aang said. His staff was planted. He looked younger and older than the last war at the same time. "If this becomes another Bin-Er—"

"It won't," Iroh said, quietly enough that it might have been a prayer. "Not if they keep their eyes on the water."

A general crossed the makeshift table and put a telescope in Zuko's hand.

"There, my lord."

The cliff went still.

Zuko lifted the glass.

For a moment there was only glare. Then the Iron Dragon filled it: black iron, red sails, too much ship for water that had been invented for parties. She did not hurry. Behind her the sisters were already a dark stitch along the sea, closer than rumor, farther than comfort.

Zuko lowered the scope. The breath left him in one thin line.

Sokka swore under it. "That thing ate Republic City's harbor. It's going to eat this beach for breakfast."

"Then we don't let it sit," Aang said. "Zuko."

Zuko turned back to the table. The map of the island was held down with cups and a knife. His generals were watching his mouth, not the water.

"The Iron Dragon is the head," he said. "If she puts that army on this sand, the capital is next. We hold here. Hakoda takes the cove and pulls their eyes. If we push them off this beach, we still have a nation left to defend."

Katara's voice was low. "And if we don't?"

Zuko did not dress it. "Then we fight the next one at our own docks."

The Iron Dragon kept coming. She snaked into position with ugly grace, hull swinging until the beach was a straight line out of her ports. Even from the cliff you could feel the moment she decided the range was right.

"All units in position," the general said. "Waiting on your order, Fire Lord."

Zuko looked down.

The men on the sand looked very small. Sweat ran into his brow and stayed there.

The ocean made its ordinary pretty sound, which helped no one.

Aang stood close enough that only Zuko heard him.

"They need you to say it."

Zuko drew a breath that scraped.

"Fire."

The word went down the cliff in echoes.

Fire. Fire. Fire.

Catapults lurched. Firebenders put their shoulders into the throw. Burning shot walked across the water and found the lesser ships first—sails catching, a hull cracking, one transport listing as men went into the sea. A cheer ripped up the beach, raw and too early.