Within a forest, multiple class of metals echoes as the ground constantly shook with massive rocks kept on falling on soldiers wearing an armband of the Rebel army. This is an ambush operation that the rebel army just launched, and it is without Li and Lian to supervise it. There's not even a single hidden unit from Ten Pillar secret army to support this ambush. It's because this was one of the sacrificial operations that Li and Lian had planned to secretly weaken their forces and replace them.
Currently, the Rebel army was losing men very fast because they were facing a much more capable army with many Earth Benders, while they only had weapons at hand. They inflicted damage on the Earth Kingdom army, but until this moment, they haven't killed any Earth Benders yet, and their numbers are diminishing very fast, mostly because of the lack of protection from Earth Bender attacks.
"Fuck! Hold the line! We must hold until our reinforcements arrive!" A high-ranking official from the Rebel Army said as he fought against his opponent. He was cutting through normal fighters with ease, but he constantly avoided fighting against Earth Benders.
"Continue the attacks, we are winning! Keep on killing these traitors!" A captain from the Earth Kingdom laughingly said as his heavy foot dug through the ground, a rock the size of a adult human flew into the air to which he immediately punch, hurling it to the rebels who was flung with it before being squashed against a tree.
Anyone who looked at this would immediately think that it was a one-sided slaughter as the Earth Kingdom army pushed with little resistance from the rebels. And the rebels didn't back out or retreat, maybe because they trusted that reinforcements would come, or maybe because of their leader himself, but nothing like that would happen.
-----
Inside the Fire Nation camp, a military official entered a tent with a serious expression. He then bowed in front of the General who sat in front of a massive map on the table, looking at it with eyes full of thought, as though he was calculating every piece movement on the map.
"General Zo, Rebels have launched massive attacks in multiple territories, claiming them for themselves. They mainly attacked the Earth Kingdom, but our men have encountered them more and more."
General Zo's eyes left the map as he focused on the arrival of his subordinate. Hearing what he said, General Zo put the piece of character representing the rebel leader down.
"Hmm... It is a sudden development. It looks like the leader of the Rebel Army has lost his mind or something. Well, it will be beneficial for us since the more they weaken the Earth Kingdom, the faster we advance," Zo said. "For now, let them fight it out as we continue to strengthen our hold on our territories."
"Understood, General Zo," the official bowed and then left the tent.
"What are you planning...?" Zo said silently as he focused on the peice representing the Rebel Army leader on the map on the table. It's just too suspicious that the Rebel army, who most of the time won against them, suddenly has the guts to take lands on a large scale. Yes, they won the battles, but their numbers are still lacking compared to their army and the Earth Kingdom. And they suddenly have the guts to spread their forces thin when they are surrounded by two armies? It's too suspicious, but he won't let this opportunity slide. "Confidence or foolishness, I won't let this opportunity slip away! Hahaha, you will not get away this time, Lian!"
----
On the Earth Kingdom side, inside Ba Sing Se, all officials are present, including the ministers, generals, and the top advisor to the Earth King, to answer the emergency call. They have been informed of the largest attack by the Rebel Army against them, and it has caused all men in the hall to have a solemn expression.
The Earth King sat on his throne, massaging his brows from stress.
"What is it this time that they have done?"
A general stepped forward and bowed before saying.
"My King, the rebels have attacked all our entry points to the Frontline. They ambushed our forces in the mountains, destroyed the bridges that we built, and blocked all the tunnels preventing us from sending soldiers and additional supplies. It seems that they want us to remain out of the Frontline so that the Fire Nation could take it over quickly."
Then a minister smirked and said, with a mocking tone directed at the general.
"If only you had followed my advice and immediately killed those rebels while they were new and very weak, then this wouldn't have happened."
The Earth King was quick to wave his hand, stopping the minister from talking further.
"Now then, what is your solution, General? I've appointed you there since I have trust in your capability to lead us to victory against the invasion of the Fire Nation, but you are failing miserably."
The general had a solemn expression after hearing what his king opinion about him as he talked about his plan.
"My King, the rebels are strong, especially their leader, but they are still a small army compared to ours. So when they launch an attack on many territories, they have spread their forces out, which significantly weakens their capabilities compared to when they're all together. I want to take this opportunity to launch a massive attack on their weaker side and open a new path for our army to go to the Frontline."
The Earth King had a face of understanding since he thought that this was a simple and great plan, but then he remembered an important detail.
"What about their leader, Lian, I think? You all said how powerful he was, right? How he can single-handedly wipe out an army by himself. How do you plan to deal with him?"
The general had his eyes closed after hearing that, vividly remembering the fights he saw against the Rebel Army forces. It was an oppressive scene with the Rebel Leader crushing all their forces with unseen before strength, it's like he was ordering the earth itself to crush his enemy for him.
"I have seen that guy fight, he was like an Avatar himself, by how easily he can manipulate the earth and control the battlefield to his side. I never want to fight him, but if it ever happens, I will fight until the end for our Kingdom."