(fire nation Palace). 5 months later (an: I know this timeline isn't 100% accurate plz don't hate).

Azula was currently in the turtle duck garden with Zuko and mai.

"I don't think father is considering the consequences of attacking the major technological power of the war. I know he has been fine tuning the details for the last 5 months but still a war with Shou-long is one we may actually lose." Zuko thought out loud solemnly.

"Zuko that kind of talk is treason." Mai replied sounding a bit shocked.

"Actually Mai for once I agree with my brother." Azula stated her tone lacking it's sharp bite.

The fact that Azula Agreed with him surprised both him and Mai.

"Who are you and what have you done with the real Azula." Zuko demanded standing up and getting into a fire bending stance.

"Dummy It's still me I'm just looking at the strategic and logical value of father's plan and I'll say this unlike him I have seen Shou-long's power for myself and it's nothing to laugh at. We have to face facts the small kingdom of only 9 million Held off and pushed back a rival power with 5 times the population and military numbers. I'd be lying if I said I was not uncertain about this decision for once Zuko I actually believe we may lose this war." Azula replied while standing back up and walking into the palace.

(200 miles north of the Kau province and 30 miles north of the Akizo fields 3rd POV).

An army of 280'000 fire nation forces was assembled into their respective ranks with tundra tanks and support Cavalry in their midst. 

In the east and south sea two massive steam fleets surged forward the admirals eager to please their master and striving to humiliate the supposedly great army.

Both forces were preparing to launch a full assault against Shou-long and put down the last major resistance to their fire lords great power. 

"General Zayne Our forces ahve been assembled."

"Very good commander order the divisional generals to commence first strike it is time to bring Shou-long's great empire down." The general ordered a sinister smirk appearing on his face. 

"Yes General." The commander replied before bowing and rushing off to issue the general's orders.

The attack began two days later and it seemed their great fire lords plan was working. The soldiers morale was High as they marched through the Akizo Fields and destroyed it's meager garrison.

However it was at the port town of Zigren That Shou-long dug in and began to resist fiercely. The Shou-long soldiers digging in around the town and bringing their feared cannons forward.

The fire nation believed that taking the port would be easy given Shou-longs static resistance in the first few weeks of the war. However they were sorely mistaken as The cavalry and infantry struggled against the almost non stop barrage of Shou-longs cannons.

Too make matters worse the Shou-long infantry riffles were significantly better than teh fire nations not only did it have a faster fire rate it also had a longer range. Further more their soldiers were getting mowed down by Shou-long machine guns which wiped out scores of soldiers.

General Zayne was forced to call for reinforcements from the eastern army group due to the Port's stubborn resistance and it wasn't just the port that Shou-long was using to their advantage.

Hills, Valleys and forests were a Soldiers dream for Shou-longs military as the fire nation's great advance was being reduced to a slow crawl.

It would take month of besieging the port town for Zigren to finally surrender. Fortunately a small Shou-long naval task force was able to rescue teh remnants of the garrison and people. However Just as the Fire nation entered the town 3 Shou-long Galleons That were with teh relief fleet suddenly turned broadside and Unleashed the wrath of hundreds of cannons on the small port facilities rendering them useless for the fire nation.

The Fire navy's initial gains had also been staggering. They Main fleet had managed to recapture Maolong port in a rush and overwhelmed its 900 strong garrison. 

The fire navy marines cheered as their catapults made contact with Shou-long garrisons reducing them to splinters and wiping out hundreds of Shou-long naval personnel.

However just like the army after some great initiation gains they faced their first major obstacle. The Shou-long Grand fleet.

The first major encounter came just 50 miles south east of The port of Zigren the fire navy eastern fleet was eager to land on Shou-long's eastern coastline and establish a beach head but they were intercepted by the Shou-long 2nd fleet which had 3 large Armored cruisers within it.

These Cruisers were equipped with twin triple turret cannons and they had a long range that rivaled the fire navy's catapults but they packed way more of  a punch and were faster.

IN the first skirmish Shou-long Implemented a new strategy teh iron clad class war ships would protect the weaker galleons while the smaller ships raced forward and weakened the fire navy since The fire navy's main weapons could not rotate easily and combat them. This battle was declared a loss and the eastern admiral ordered his forces to withdraw.

The southern fleet encountered similar resistance when they attempted to take the Major port City of Zon-lao. Only to be meet with 10 Shou-long cruisers and 30 Galleons and 2 dreadnoughts. Out of the fire navy's 200 strong force only 20 managed to retreat while Shou-long did suffer 40% losses they had successfully defended their seas from foreign invasion.

Despite fire nation propaganda attempting to paint this war in a positive light many military and noble families did not see the logic behind a war with Shou-long and thus they protested strongly.

And completely Unknown to Fire lord Ozai he had Played right Into Princes Tanya's hands.

(Shou-long 5 months earlier).

Tanya stormed into the High commands chambers and immediately got the attention of every officer in the room.

"Men I fear that with the recent Fall of Ba sing se the Fire nation may turn against us."

Tanya's words stunned the room into silence. Some officials looked like they wanted to argue with Tanya but many others did see war with the fire nation now as a possibility.

"What do you suggest we do then Princess." The chef of staff Raizen inquired with a serious look.

Tanya smiled this was exactly what she wanted the High command standing behind her and her family in what was about to be their hardest fight ever.

"we all know the fire nation will launch an Attack against us and curtesy of our spy network we know that an attack will happen within the next 5 months. We will be prepare for it. General kroon and Maine you two will organize the formation of a guerrilla army of 6 divisions and train them for espionage and sabotage warfare. General Raizen and Ramer You two will organize the withdraw of our main forces to the north and organize the creation of key defensive strongholds up to the river Kau where our main army will reorganize and strengthen itself. We will divide our navy so our iron clad warships can help protect our more vulnerable galleons. Finally Myself and My father will double teh labor efforts for the mines in our captured earth kingdom territories and in 4 months we will order them to be destroyed." 

The plan was good but it's final stage shocked many officers.

"But princess we will need those resources to defeat the fire nation if war with them does become prolonged."

"General Kahn I appreciate your Concern But I only said Destroy the mines we control I never said anything about the ones the fire nation controlled in the earth kingdoms far north and west lands."

"So you believe if your plan works we can Push Back the fire nation."

"Indeed General. I'll say this with our weapons and advanced training we will be able to easily contend with the fire nation who's more concerned with glory than efficiency like our own army. Also The final piece of this plan." Tanya then paused and her face became more serious." I am releasing all restraint on project eagle I want those fire benders to pay for every foot of ground with bombs and bullets do you hear me gentle man."

"IT SHALL BE DONE PRINCESS." All officers replied saluting her.

By the end of the first 4 month of the war the fire nation had suffered double the losses Shou-long was suffering but fire benders were better equipped and trained so it came as no surprise to Tanya when she learned that the fire nation was rapidly Approaching fort Hanno the main defensive strong point along the river Kau.

'This is it If we can beat the fire nation badly enough here we will triumph and the war will be turned in our favor.'

Tanya's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of her advisor.

"Mam a Water tribe warrior is here by the name of Bato. He says he's here to negotiate an alliance between The rebel army and Shou-long." The minister stated with a bow.

"Bring him to the throne room and get Kyra I want her input on this new development."

"Yes princess."

AN: Hope your all still enjoying this tale It's been a blast writing it and I hope your all loving it.

Autor Message: I know I'm not the best fanfic writer But I do enjoy it and I cant tell you guy show much I appreciate you guys liking my stories and the positive comments and I'm just glad Your all still enjoying. but honestly you guys are awesome and I hope you'll all stick around cause the finale to Shou-long is coming soon but trust me when I say Shou-long's story is not done yet. Have a great day Y 'all are awesome