Chapter 17.1- And so the Dragons Danced

My war cry was matched by dozens off voices behind me as we all fell upon the Mountain’s ambush. It was like a sneak attack to counter an already existing sneak attack. The earth kingdom nationals were caught with their pants down, not literally thankfully, and were hard pressed to react to our advance. Toji was the first to make contact as he jumped right out of the saddle of his horse before spinning into a kick that sent one man crashing into the ground, unconscious. The others noticed him and attempted to dogpile him with their assault, but it was laughable how much ease he had cutting through the farmhands and hunters that made up the earth kingdom army. 

I could hear most of my compatriots file out behind me as they ended their charge to engage the soldiers they found without opponents. I, on the other hand, did not let myself get distracted. I could not turn away from one of the first sights I’d seen the moment I got a view of the attack. The Mountain was faced off against by Colonel Shinsuke as he stood right in front of Healer Amara. Perhaps it was the Fire Nation’s racism, but for some reason the water bending members of the Healing Corps were required to wear extremely distinctive outfits. I could not rule out the possibility that that was the reason for her being targeted by the large man. The Colonel was clearly attempting to shield her from him and that was not going as well as it should have been. 

Shinsuke was a powerful fire bender, there was no doubt about it. Every blast he sent was with an audible rush, and his form was textbook perfect, with only the slight flavouring that came from applying the style in combat. He sent a powerful blast at the Mountain, that the behemoth of a man merely leaned out of the way off before his hammer came swinging in. Shinsuke was able to dodge backwards but it was clear to me now that the fight had been going on for some large amount of time. While the Earth Kingdom Brute was fresh as a fucking daisy, Shinsuke looked to be on his last legs. 

“A little bit faster, boy. Come on!” I urged my mount as we did all we could to cross the distance separating us from the confrontation. I wanted to call out to Shinsuke. To let him know I was coming, that all he had to do was hold out for a bit longer. But that would be stupid. I couldn’t let the element of surprise go. That was why I was racked with guilt when I saw Shinsuke put his all into a final last ditched rush at the brut that the monster of a man was able to parry, laughing all the while. His hammer slammed into Shinsuke’s midsection with the ring of metal meeting metal. The man was propelled backwards by the attack, somehow managing to fly over Amara entirely. Closer to them, I could make out the visible dent on his chest piece. It had been caved in entirely. Fuck. 

Amara took a stance I didn’t recognise, calling forth water from a waterskin that she seemed to have hidden on her person, waiting for the Mountain to advance. 

A/N; Well, I have to go now. Guess who’s got a date tonight? I promised myself I’d give an update everyday though, so I’m sorry that this one is a bit short. Wish me luck.