(fire nation front line).  10 hours earlier 

captain Hai-Feng liked to think of himself as the captain of the bravest troops the fire nation had ever seen and he did not hesitate to state as such to his fellow officers. During several campaigns his unit was know as the death seekers due to them having a tendency to no retreating when the others did. in one battle the battle of Mao-long port his men charged earth kingdom defenders despite being outnumbered 6 to 1 and they had racked the highest kill count of any other unit during that battle. He was actually more worried that his men may dis obey orders and go on their own to find the nearest earth kingdom out post if they weren't given new attack orders soon. 

His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his adjutant Lieutenant zei. 

"Sir general Harsha has arived and has ordered all available officers and men to assemble."

Seeing his lieutenants eager smile Hai-Feng knew exactly what his lieutenant was thinking and wanted. " Well lets not keep him waiting then. Get the boys assembled Lieutenant."

Bowing quickly." with pleasure sir."

The captain nd his men quickly assembled out side just in time to see the general rise on a stage to deliver his speech.  

"soldiers today will be a glorious day for the fire nation. By order of the fire lord operation thunder rhino has been approved. Today Gaoling falls and we will surge forward to victories unprecedented in fire nation history. I Know some of you fear not the earth kingdom but that mysterious new threat the empire I order you all to show them no fear our army has faced down way worse than anything the empire has. We took omashu and soon Gaoling and then ba sing se will be ours. Soldiers show them no fear and go and conquer for the glory of the fire nation cowardice will not be tolerated show them no mercy. NOW GO FORTH TO ULTIMATE VICTORY.  HAIL THE FIRE LORD GLORY TO THE FIRE NATION.

" HAIL THE FIRE LORD AND GLORY TO THE FIRE NATION." Thousands of voices echoed back. 

(imperial si Wong command base) 3 hours later. 

"speak major what is going on." 

"sir the 6thh infantry division and the 23rd artillery regiment were ambushed last night and wiped out. Scouts report the fire nation armies are running rampant around the desert destroying our infantry units." 

"That means nothing our tanks are still intact let them come we will crush them and then we will-." The arrogant officer immediately stopped talking when Rommel shot him a death glare before turning back to the major. 

"how strong." 

"we estimate at least 25 divisions in or running towards the desert sir. We also estimate a similar sized force is heading for the city of Gaoling." 

Rommel cursed. He only had 8 divisions in the desert army due to the harsh climate of desert war fare and to ease on supply demand Rommel had requested that the rest of the 7th panzer army stay at imperial Shou long to await orders. he immediately turned to a brigadier general.

"General hammerslacht get onto the next transport plane bound for Shou long and inform the filed marshal what's happening here." turning to the rest of his staff." The rest of you order the troops to conduct a fighting with drawl towards zon-lao at once. It's highly probable that that's the fire nation's target." 

"YES SIR."

(some hours later).

"all men keep moving we need to get to zon-lao before the fire nation does."

Rommel in his characteristic bravery was leading a vast column of his troops towards zon-lao. He had to sacrifice 5 tank battalions to delay the fire nation so the rest of the army could keep going. 

"Sir look up ahead a man is parachuting down look." hands Rommel a pair of binoculars. 

"That's hammerslacht he may have news from command forward soldiers." 

hammerslacht didn't waste time as soon as he landed he bolted towards Rommel's command car. waving a piece of paper wildly.

"Sir form the field marshal reinforcements are coming that contains her plans unfortunately reinforcements wont arrive for at least 2 days at zon-lao. I'm afraid I have more news sir.

"What is it General."

"On my way here I noticed that 4 fire nation divisions with tanks were approaching zon-lao I estimate they will arrive at the outskirts in only 2 hours."

Rommel began to worry Zon-lao had a 4'500 strong garrison and very few heavy weapons and no air fleet. Their only advantage would be the 3 mage companies stationed there under Major Zimmer. 

"We have to hurry." Turning towards his other officers ." Order our men to increase speed if we don't hurry zon-lao will fall before reinforcements arrive." 

With that said his men began to pick up their marching pace with the vehicles packing as many troops as they could carry. 

(Zon-Lao).

Ever since command had informed the city about an imminent attack and the first fire benders were spotted the air raid sirens were blaring. With the speakers barking out orders. 

"ALL CITIZENS EVACUATE TO THE SHELTERS AT ONCE. ALL IMPERIAL PERSONALL TO THE FRONT LINES AT ONCE."

Imperial soldiers rushed through the streets many had thought they were in a quiet sector and wouldn't be attacked for at least a  few months the few tanks were also being deployed as well. 

"Sir our forces are rapidly digging in and placing artillery and machine guns."

Major general Reinhard matric was in charge of teh city's defenses and had ordered for a 3 line trench strategy to be adopted. Unfortunately despite  Mages also digging the trenches they were only 43% complete. 

"Have all available forces been mobilized." 

"Yes sir. The mages are also gearing up now." 

"Then all we can do is attempt to hold out till Rommel and the reinforcements arrive." 

"Yes sir." 

(fire nation temporary command base.)

"the men are in position sir what are your orders 

general Harsha could only smile as he stared at the city in front of him. " Make it burn."

"Yes general." His aid says bowing before rushing off to give the orders

Thinking: The great empire believes it can destroy the fire nation well I'll prove them wrong when I burn this city to the ground then they will know true fire power.

(5 hours after the start of the battle).

"what is going on here what is this madness." One mage states staring at the scene before him. 

"I haven't seen something like this since staliznagrad another states fear in his voice. "

On the ground it was chaos. Fire nation infantry charged teh imperial lines with their rhinos and tanks. Some imperial units were overwhelmed and burned alive as teh fire nation continued its relentless charge. It's catapults firing volley after volley into the trenches and the city. 

"DON'T LET THEM SCARE YOU MEN STAND YOUR GROUND AND RETURN FIRE." A colonel yells rallying his men who cheered with renewed enthusiasm as the cannons fired on the fire nation soldiers killing many as machine guns also unleash their rounds upon the fire nation invaders. 

"SHOW THEM YOUR COURAGE MEN AND CHARGE." an imperial captain orders. Yelling a battle cry 500 imperial soldiers rushed forwards their rifles pointed at the charging spear men. however in another section of teh lines soldiers were pinned down by the fire nation's tanks and catapults. 

"WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE WEAPONS OR ELSE WE WILL LOSE THIS SECTION."

Fortunately a mage company swooped down raining a volley of artillery spells that crippled the fire nation's heavy equipment. 

"YES MAGE REINFORCEMENST COME ON MEN WE CANT LET THEM HAVE ALL THE FUN FIRE." A Sargent yells to his men.

" YES SIR."

"DIE YOU AKAISAN WANNABES."

"TAKE THIS IMPERIAL SCUM."

"STOP THEM DON'T LET THEM INTO THE CITY."

"FOR THE FIRE LORD."

"WE NEED REINFORCEMENTS."

(imperial Zon lao) 19 hours after the start of the battle

"what's the status of our men major."

"my mages are still at full strength and the fire nation backed off for now. However my scouts report that fire nation reinforcements are coming and were down to only 2'300 men left and most of our artillery is gone and our tanks are still mostly intact but we only have 5 left."

"Any news form Rommel." 

Before Zimmer could respond a man dressed in an imperial colonel generals uniform stepped into the room. 

"I'll take over form her Reinhard I've got 5 divisions of soldiers eager to kill some fire benders. also Our reinforcements are beginning to encircle the fire nation soon we will have victory. Also i believe the bombed the city and it's civilians correct." 

"Yes sir." 

"I figured they had done as much and so Field marshal Tanya has arranged a little present for them."

Zimmer and Reinhard then heard the distinct sound of bomber engines and Zimmer felt the magic signatures of 100 mages. What he didn't realize was the field marshal was among those signatures. 

(imperial 9th air fleet on route to the fire nation base).

"everyone prepare artillery spells, bombers prepare to deliver the early Christmas presents. 

"Yes mam lets make them run and show them the true power of the imperial army ."

(fire nation base)

"sir we have received our reinforcements we are now up to 17 divisions."

"excellent in 4 hours we will finish the empire's defenses and take the city."

However as he finished his statements he and his staff then heard a strange sound of buzzing and then whistling. A young soldier quickly ran in and bowed.

"Sir the enemy is attacking from the air." another soldier then quickly ran in and bowed.

"SIR OUR TANKS AND CATAPULTS ARE BEING DESTROYED RAPIDLY." 

"DO SOMETHING STOP THOSE WEIRD FLYING WEAPONS NOW."

However it was too late the fire nation suffered heavy losses that night and the next day it would only get worse. Tanya quickly landed at zon-lao where she was greeted by the staff there. they could not hide their surprise as the field marshal walked into the conference room. 

"Mam we did not expect you." Rommel says snapping to a salute as the others do as well.

"At ease generals." Turning to Reinhard." You've done well defending this city I'm going to put a recommendation for promotion for you."

"Thank you mam should I prepare the men for a night attack?"

"No need general." Tanya says flashing a devilish grin. "They won't be getting away anytime soon the trap will commence in 6 hours that's when you commit your reserves."

"Yes mam."

(6 hours later.)

The next day the battle turned decisively in the empires favor the bombing raid had destroyed the command structure of the fire nation forces and the pincer attack only sealed their fate.  

"Quickly send teh 8th division to repel the imperial units advancing in sector I-8."

"I-8 has already fallen ." 

"The 8th division is gone where is general Harsha." 

"He fled sir." 

The command structure was chaos not only had many officers been killed or captured but the general had fled once he realized teh empire held the advantage and he could no longer win. 

"we must hold out and wait for the 10th army to aid us."

However after 20 minutes a young girl with gold hair stepped into the fire nation command tent.  

"Greetings gentleman. Let's skip the introductions for now and get onto business shall we." She states flashing them all a look that made them shiver." You will surrender now and I will let you all live deal continue to resist and I'll burn your capital next. So what's it going to be men." she says in a tone that could freeze their very souls.

(fire nation palace). 

"YOU ABANDONED THE CAMPAIGN. GNERAL HARSHA DO YOU HAVE ANY NOTION OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR BLUNDERS."

still bowing very low." But fire lord sir the enemy had us out numbered I had no choice."

"YOUR REPORT 2 DAYS AGO SIA DYOU AHD THEM ON THE RUN AND OUTNUMBERED. YOU LOST 30 DIVISIONS EITHER KILLED OR CAPTURED YOUR PUNISHMENST WIL BE AS FOLLOWS. IMMEDIATE DEMOTION AND TRANSFERED TO OMASHU FOR GUARD DUTY. CORPORAL YOU ARE DISMISSSED."

After harsh had left ozai summoned his daughter.

"You summoned me father."

"Yes Azulla I am trusting the capture of your uncle and brother to you  bring them here to face trial at once."

"Of course father I shall not fail."

"Good also one warning my daughter on your hunt beware." 

THE EMPIRE

AUTHORS NOTES: I hope you all enjoyed that and are having an awesome day. I hope your all ready for a good hunt soon I promise it will be well worth the wait.