章 87: Chapter 86
Capital City is a beautiful place. Even on a day like this. The most dangerous day for the Fire Nation and the city is still bustling. The city is protected by natural defenses in the form of a circular mountain range surrounding it. Similar to the outer island of the boiling rock. Making it past the mountain range was easy. They have guarded checkpoints leading into the city. They had been on the lookout for foreign forces, not a small band of 'citizens'. Traveling with a couple of fire benders really sold the image that we weren't insurrectionists.
Beyond the mountains was the civilian districts. Filled to the brim with, shops, homes, and people. The crowds helped us blend in and make our way to the center of the city. The center of the city was the royal/military district. Unlike the last two areas, this one was going to be difficult to get into. There was a sharp divide between the civilian and the military districts. There was a manned metal wall preventing any passage by unauthorized people. Beyond the wall would be scattered guard posts and patrols. Once we got past that, would be the palace the single most fortified building in the world. The plan was to use the eclipse to get into the palace. Meaning when we're getting to the palace and facing the Fire Lord it would be without any extra help.
The metal walls would have been difficult to get past if not for Toph and her ability to metal bend. We found a secluded area where Aang and Toph started an underground tunnel. The goal was to start in the civilian district go under the metal wall and get to the palace, all before the eclipse started. Aang and Toph tunneled forward and sealed our exit to insure we remained undetected. Sokka kept track of the time, to tell us when to go back above ground.
Our first obstacle was the metal wall. We had assumed that we circumvented it by going underground, but it actually extended below ground. We could have gone even further down, but Toph saved us time and effort by splitting the buried wall. Time we desperately needed, because even with 2 earth benders we were moving at close to a quarter of walking speed. It was a slow tense match toward the palace, and with every passing minute, we grew more anxious.
"We need to get above ground now!" Sokka shouted.
"We're still 2 blocks from the palace," Toph told us.
"It doesn't matter. There was never a way through this without some action" Azula said quickly, cutting off any other discussion. With only a momentary pause where we shared a final glance of confirmation Toph and Aang split open the earth above us.
Back above ground we immediately found ourselves facing off with fire nation forces.
"Aang! Suki! Air bubble. Katara water shell underneath! I call out.
" Ty Lee throw weapons with me" Sokka called out.
"I'll keep the path clear," Toph announced
"Well, unless we need some lightning. I guess I will start my reign early and let you all handle it." Azula told us while moving into the center of our impromptu formation.
Sokka had jumped the gun, so we still had several minutes before the eclipse. Almost as soon as we appeared inside the military district I began to hear war horns announcing our presence. Aang, Suki, Katara, and I focused on forming a comprehensive defense. We formed two spinning hemispheres around us the outer hemisphere made of wind and the second underneath it, made of water. Together they should protect us from projectiles and fire. While we were on defense Sokka and Ty Lee were on offense. Unfortunately, our shield worked both ways so after a few attempts they had to abandon attacking out of the bubble. Toph had the most important role, keeping us moving toward the palace. However, when her bending wasn't needed to flatten or clear a path she was the only one able to attack. She crumbled the ground and sent out earth pillars to attack the approaching soldier.
I wish we could have used walls, but the military district was too open for walls to effectively block incoming soldiers. This left us without an alternative defensive option besides the bubble, fortunately despite costing us the ability to attack the bubble was very effective at blocking. Fire benders who dared get close to us soon found out they were completely useless. The hail of arrows, which would have devastated an unprepared group, was harmlessly deflected. Everything was going well. We were steadily making our way toward the palace and we brushed off everything the army could throw at us.
Then they brought out the big guns. I used blood bending to force us all to the ground as a ballista bolt shot directly through where we had just been standing. Azula was quick to stand shooting a bolt of lighting at the ballista tower. There had been ballistae placed on the corner towers of the palace. Two ballistae faced away from us, but there was still one active and shooting. The entire group stands, and now that our formation has fallen apart we dissolve into fighting however we want. Another ballista shot fires while Azula is preparing another bolt of lighting. This bolt was heading straight toward Aang, but before my help is needed Aang creates an updraft strong enough to launch the bolt back into the air. I hope that doesn't land on someone. Azula launches her second bolt of lightning, striking the second tower.
I kept deflecting incoming arrows and Toph kept us moving, but with nothing impeding our ability to attack we quickly made our way through the final fortifications. We stood before the palace gates just as the moon passed in front of the sun.
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