Focused Fire (ATLA)

“This feels wrong,” a weathered commander said, shaking his head. Colonel Yeungsi, Sho just remembered.

General Sho glanced at the man and gave a disapproving frown. “The results are undeniable.”

Someone else spoke up, a younger colonel that the general struggled to recall. Belonged to the…119th Regiment. “But the honor and glory…”

Sho immediately snapped his attention to the officer. “By order of the crown princess, we are here to secure the north to allow the colonies to expand in peace, and to subjugate the northern Earth Kingdom states. There should be honor and glory enough by simply being involved in this campaign.”

The young man quickly bowed his head and stepped back into the crowd of officers. “My apologies, general.”

Sho took in a calming breath before fixing the assembled commanders with a stern gaze. “Remember why we’re here, commanders: To secure the Fire Nation’s holdings. To expand it, even. There will be battles up ahead that will sate your need for merits, do not doubt that. But until then, do not waste the lives of your men and women on things like this.”

The words doused most of the bubbling dissatisfaction, but Sho knew that he needed to get to the first major stronghold to appease the battle-hardened and battle-hungry commanders who had tagged along with his army. Once they confirmed for themselves that they’d get the ‘honors’ of taking castles and walled cities, letting Xing slit throats and scaring away conscripts would be far more palatable to them.

As it is, they were two days out from the port city of Bailing. Admiral Daeyang had its sea routes locked down, while Xing’s 11th Regiment was clearing the way for the rest of the army. Villagers and small towns the Northern Pacification Army passed were informed of their new allegiance, and a small auxiliary force of the crown princess’ officials were left in its wake to get them acclimated to the change of liege.

From what Sho understood, Crown Princess Azula was looking to prove herself as much as a conqueror as an administrator to her father, and build an image of a proactive heir instead of a passive one as Prince Zuko was. Like how Prince Iroh served as a general under his father Fire Lord Azulon, compared to Fire Lord Ozai’s less…obvious service.

If her plan here worked, she would likely earn the right to head the Colonial Ministry and get the chance to prove herself as a ruler. Control of the colonies would also enable her to establish herself in court politics, maybe even serving as her father’s hidden hand in tempering some factions.

Overall, it was a bold, ambitious plan with an end result that was highly laudable. Sho only wished that it was the prince who had taken such actions earlier, so that he might have staved off his father’s wrath. But then again, rumor also has it that the crown princess planned this campaign as a loophole around Prince Zuko’s exile, allowing him more havens to stop and rest in his impossible task.

Sho tried not to bother with such whispers. Xing had said that the less people give credence to such a thing, the less of a chance the Fire Lord would take it seriously and act on it.

Better that everyone thought the princess and her pet colonel were trying to overachieve to impress the Fire Lord. And to that end, Xing would continue building a dread reputation amongst the Earth Kingdom as a commander that preferred sneaking into camps or throwing mutilated bodies than engaging in conventional fighting. For the sake of compassion between siblings, young Xing was willing to bloody his hands and smear his reputation.

Dao was right, it might be better planning for the boy’s betrothal celebrations sooner rather than later. And maybe…maybe just have a quiet talk to him about…precautions and discretion…in case he became a more literal pet of the crown princess.

Sho would have to find a time when Dao and Koda weren’t around, though. The stupid blowhard and the fencer might end up giving Xing the wrong ideas about proper courtship and intimacy.

The general frowned as a dangerous thought settled on him.

Would Colonel Hwa be useful for such things?

*****

Dao grinned happily as he saw the walls of their first target at last. The burly colonel turned to his officers behind him. “Right lads, that there’s Bailing, and I’ve won us the right to lead the siege since their gates are closed. We got the princess’ eyes on us, so make sure nobody does anything stupid like dying before we reach the walls, understood?”

“Yes sir!” they all bellowed, wearing smirks and hungry grins.

The colonel’s grin morphed into a more serious frown. “You know the rules - walls and defenders only. We’re here to capture this place, not raze it. The only reason the civvies will be screaming is because they’re scared they might get hit, understood?”

“Yes sir!”

“You find anyone doing anything other than fighting the enemy - that’s still not surrendered, mind you - you either stop them, or die trying.” Because Dao did not want to deal with a pissed off Xing again. Lidai’s disapproving frown made Dao feel bad and guilty. The boy’s particular dislike for harming villagers and townsfolk…that scared Dao.

It made sense, considering Xing’s orphaned past, but by the spirits did the boy know how to leave a trail of bodies that couldn’t be tied to him. The last bunch of rapists Dao had freely (not out of pressure at all, no sir) pointed out to the 11th were found mysteriously hanging by a village square days after the 11th had moved on, their severed hands shoved up their asses and their dicks stuffed down their throats.

The camp physicians were confident that the poor sods were likely still alive up until they were hanged, though how conscious they were as they were violated with their own severed extremities was unknown.

Knowing Xing, Dao bet they were fully awake and aware of every moment of it.

Such was the price to pay for working with the Young Dragon that took Lidai’s teachings and took it to an extreme end. 

Not that Dao minded it too much; the boy knew where to draw the line between rape and seduction, and never intervened if appropriate justice was dispense before he got to the guilty. And the terror that spread really decreased the paperwork Dao had regarding his troops’ misconduct.

With such punitive action being spread through whispers, it shouldn’t be surprising then that Xing and his regiment managed to do rather well with the Earth Kingdom villages that knew of them. Dao had to admit that it made practical sense as much as ethical one, especially when he had adopted the same hard stance himself.

Having villagers actually sell you their stores instead of going through the hassle of confiscating the stuff was far more preferable, especially with the lowered risk of poisoning and such. Plus, if you were nice enough, their ladyfolk were often amenable to…business arrangements. And they could be very, very amenable.

Dao looked forward to seeing if the ladies of Bailing would meet such lofty standards.

“Right then, standard Earth Kingdom walls with their gates likely reinforced with earthworks. Get the ladders ready.”

As ever, Dao took the position at the tip of the formation, with broadaxes in his hands. His personal guards each carried massive metal shields mounted on wheels that would protect their colonel as they advanced, and made for a fine surface to fight on if the earthbenders got too ground-shakey. About a third of his whole regiment were similarly protected, acting as shields for their comrades right up until combat could be joined.

Years ago, Xing had suggested the wheels, which admittedly made moving the things a lot easier. It still felt like cheating to Dao though.

Glancing over his shoulders to the banners of the other regiments just behind his, Dao almost cackled at the thought of Sho sweating his balls off from worrying too much as usual. Probably about casualties this time, he reckoned.

“Right then,” Dao said as he focused back on the walls of Bailing. “Xing’s got his fun, now it’s time for mine.” 

The colonel raised his right axe high and then slashed it downwards. Horns blared the orders for the Fire Nation’s 4th Regiment to begin marching. The sounds of siege shields trundling along as boots stomped in unison stirred Dao’s heart. Behind them, other regiments would follow up to a distance, and then open up with firebenders and archers to suppress the defenders.

Dao would’ve told them not to worry about it, but Sho, the spoilsport, had been insistent. Stupid general’s authority.

They got within engagement range, and the advance slowed a little as small boulders and rocky spikes thudded and pinged off the metal shields. Dao chuckled as he savored the impotent sounds of the enemy’s retaliation.

As they drew closer to the walls, the hailstorm of rocks intensified, though only for a brief moment. Sticking to their end of the bet, the other regiments kept back and began to unleash a storm of their own, made of arrows and fire.

“Double time, boys!” Dao roared, the shields adding a bone-shuddering reverberation to his words. “Get ready to stick it in them!” The shielded formations of the 4th Regiment sped up, but just as they were about to reach the final stretch to the walls, a rumbling boom sounded from behind them. 

Dao turned in time to see something zip over his head and cause an explosion of dust and dirt in a section of Bailing’s walls. Remembering who he was working with, the colonel roared for his men to keep moving. Really, the boy and his toys…

Another boom, and this time the walls gave way in a small avalanche of cracked stone and pulverized mortar. A third crash of another impossibly fast projectile tore open a gap and created a mound of dirt that could actually be climbed up to the rest of the walls.

“Stupid kid’s taking the fun out of everything…” Dao couldn’t help grumbling. Still, it was only one small breach, and plenty more were needed to actually make a serviceable beachhead. “4th Regiment! Move your feet! Before someone else steals our fun!”

With the defenders more confused and worried about the sudden collapse of their bulwark, Dao and his men had an easier time setting up the ladders. Firebenders kept back to provide covering fire as siege shields were abandoned in favor of swords and axes, and the non-bending soldiers began to climb. Dao too joined the ascent, almost literally yanking himself up the rungs of his ladder to quickly throw himself over the walls.

Despite their confusion, the defenders put up a good fight, and Dao relished the battle. His burning axes crushed armor and shield alike to pulp the flesh and bone underneath. The hardened metal cleaved through boulders and earthbended walls, which then allowed Dao to hack apart the earthbenders behind them. 

It would’ve been a glorious, memorable battle, if not for the enemy declaring their surrender mere minutes later.

Dao had to redirect his axes with a grunt of effort when he heard the desperate calls sounding along the wall. He snorted away his disappointment at another barely satisfying fight and then turned to the shaking soldier with his broken spear shaft before him. “Eh, what can you do, right? Good fight, boy.” Keeping away the axes, the colonel offered a hand to the young defender, who eyed him with plenty of confusion before taking the offer.

“Now be a good lad and join the rest of the surrendered group, alright? If you want, I’m up for dueling later.”

Leaving his troops to handle the cleanup, Dao looked over the walls to the Fire Nation army that was now marching into the opened gates. He found Sho, and quickly slid down a ladder to make his way over to his general friend.

“Oi Sho! What was that?”

The bastard had the audacity to give him a confused look. “What was what, Dao?”

“Don’t play coy with me. The fight could’ve lasted longer!”

Sho rolled his eyes. “It’s not my fault that Bailing’s defenders decide to surrender when Xing blew open the gates.”

“Fuckin’...”

Sho leveled a frown at Dao. “We’re on a timetable, colonel. So it doesn’t hurt if we’re ahead of schedule.” As the colonel continued to curse and grumble, the general finally sighed. “I tell you what, the next army we come across, I’ll have Xing stay back and let you lead the battle.”

Dao gave his friend a look. “Two.”

Knowing better than to haggle, Sho conceded with a shrug of his shoulders. “Fine. Next two armies, you get the vanguard and Xing sits back unless things are problematic. I’ll even let you lead the next two sieges, see if you can get the walls before Xing breaks them.”

Now that made Dao’s eyes widen. Was that a challenge? It sounded like a challenge. 

“Oh, it’s on. Where’s Xing? Gotta set the terms for this. Xing? XING!”

Dao stomped away, all disappointment forgotten now that he had something else to look forward to. 

The boy had a new terrifying weapon to play with, but Dao would prove he would not be beaten when it came to breaking down walls.