Episode 25/26: Showdown in Shan Town

 In the wilderness between the Shimoni Dhato and Shan's camp, Dharma first goes ahead to scout. He encounters three Fire Nation soldiers, and maanages to split them up and tie one of them up with Airbending. 

The rearguard encounters another of the split soldiers; Moshi and Bhaga capture him and, in the nondescript guise of Embers masks, interrogate him for information on Shan's camp.

With the layout and information, Dharma goes in first to seek information and sow Ember masks as a paranoia-inducing stunt. H eoverhears that Commander Saoku isn't with Shan - he had gone south to Pohuai to inform Yama.

He returns, the group begins to plan their assault and rescue:

A western group, consisting of Shizaku, Ma Leng and Ma Ran, Boba and Ti will breach the western walls and rescue the Embers and take or destroy any supplies.

A southern group, consisting of the other main fighters, engages with the main fighters (locking most of them in to the barrack area) and fighting Shan. The battle rages, and Shan is eventually defeated and the consensus is to take him captive.

Toji speaks out to the other Fire Nation soldiers, trying to appeal to their empathy, and convince them to join or lay down arms. He is met with limited success, but does seem to sway some minds.

Back at camp (after everyone celebrates), Shizaku laments his lack of fighting prowess and seeks guidance from Bozan, who eases his troubled mind since he did not have a military upbringing.

Moshi talks to Dharma and suggesrs taking Kou and going to the Misty Library to see Jyoti and check in on his comrades.

Toji intends to set up a re-education program for any of the Fire Nation willing to join their cause. He also discusses with Gyara and Tokala bringing Shan to the Earth Kingdom. They reach out to meet an Earth Kingdom contingent in the southern merchant pier-town, where Shan can be brought before the stronger and more secure military forces of Ba Sing Se....

 

Episode 24: Prepare for War 2: The Reckoning

 After Chuko's escape from Shan's internment, she is brought to Noya the Healer while the gang discusses what to do regarding their captured fighters. Dharma and Toji go to Neila, who reprimands Dharma for enticing the Embers to go on their own. This pushes Dharma to think about rescusing his friends and comrades. Toji steps in to quiet Neila's heat and anger; she backs down but warns the Fire Nation is only closing in. Toji agrees, and the only way to gain a modidum of safety is to regain some of their footing.

Moshi and Shizaku begin work on supplies and Ember masks for the trip north, knowing they're going to go in to rescue everyone.

Toji seeks guidance from Bhaga on the best way forward - the Earthbender remarks that the enemy is boastful and perhaps too sure of their footing - now is the time to throw boulders at them. Dharma resigns to be more involved with the Embers, believing his mistake wasn't in sending them out into the wilderness alone, but in their own overstimation of their abilities.

As Chuko wakes, she recounts how Shan got the drop on them, adapting to his blindness by using his firebending to read heat signatures. She believes the others were captured alive, but she crawled out, escaping in the midst of the fray.

The companions send out a flare to alert and collect any other Embers who may have escaped, resulting in the return of two soldiers, Boba and Ti. Dharma uses his pull if fighting for friends to entice them back into the fray. He also convinces Wu Hana to throw in with their fight, giving the old Earthbender a chance to stick it to the Fire Nation where it hurts.

Toji confirms with Gyara that she would stay with the camp if they failed -- she resigns to tell him to bring her brother back, at least.

Ma Leng and Ma Ran approach Moshi to join the rescue mission, and, despite their age, the Seeker sees potential in their spirit. 

Toji tries to have Bozan commit, but the Fire Nation commander chooses to stay put, not quite willing to fight one of Yama's captains for the sake of the foolish Embers that got captured.

A rousing speech and dinner brings everyone together before the group sets out.