Chapter 33.1- And so the Dragons Danced

It was perhaps a blessing that Toji’s senses were so much better than mine. Because if I had been the one to spot a massive boulder flying right at us almost too quickly for us to truly see, I hd no idea how I would have reacted. Perhaps I would have attempted to destroy it head on. I would surely have sought out Toph, the young girl who had grown so precious to me in the time since I’d taken her from her family. Toji worried about none of that. He saw the boulder coming and simply shouted “Get down” He dove on top of me, forcing me to the deck as the rock flew right over our heads, destroyed part of our ship before landing right in the helm of the ship behind us.

I looked up after that, noting the damage. “Get some order in this bitch” I screamed at the Captain as everyone began running helter skelter. Our presence had been anticipated and that meant they were ready for us. Even more rocks came flying by and while two of them managed to strike two more ships in our fleet, they missed mine by a fair margin.

We were miles from the wall. A huge part of my flagship had sustained damage already and the ‘fleet’ I could boat only had three unharmed ships. Two, I amended as another boulder found its mark. This was going to be slaughter. There was no two ways about it.

“Where is Maki?” I barked out. If there was anytime to need combustion bending on our side, it was this one.

“She was helping Toph try to get some rest. They’re both below deck” Toji replied.

“Get her here now” I ordered, even while knowing that by the time the order would be obeyed, it would probably be too late. This was a classic failure of intelligence. They’d known we were coming. We never sent any scouting parties out. We were on ships that we had no idea how to man in Naval combat and we were sitting ducks in the face of their offensive.

The next boulder I saw did not manage to complete its arc before I struck it down with a bolt of lightning but I knew that would be delaying measure at the very best. Those were earthbenders out there. There was no limit to their ammunition, and I could already tell that the ship had stopped moving. The engines had stalled. Probably because of the damaged exhaust, by damaged, I meant non-existent at this point. There was very little chance of this ending well for me. I could see it all falling apart. My hopes of the war. Whatever plans I’d had for the fire nation afterwards. My desires to bring honour to my family name. I’d forever be known as the Blunderer of Ba Sing Se, or something equally ridiculous. I struck down another boulder even as I considered my options.

There was no chance of success, but there could be honour in going down with the ship. Of course, that would mean the end of my family name. It was one of the few things that meant anything to me in this world. If I died here, so would the Wu name. So would Toji, and Maki and Toph. No. That wasn’t an option. I struck down a third boulder, already finding myself lost for breath. Lightning bending was dangerous, I reminded myself. I’d almost burned out my inner flame using it. But what choice did I have now?

A/N; First part of new chappy? Sometimes you lose, and it isn’t even your fault.