I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Avatar: Revenge of the Air Nomads

Chapter 3: Jia the Mercenary.

"Suki!" yelled Katara. "Duck!"

Suki automatically ducked as Katara sent a tendril of water over her head to hit one of the Dai Li agents attacking behind her. The agent tried to block it with an attack of his own, but he was no match for the water bending master. Katara snaked the tendril around his neck and pulled causing him to go face first into the ground knocking him out.

"Thanks Katara," said Suki smiling. Katara nodded and was going to reply when she saw Suki point behind her. "Katara behind you!"

Katara spun around and ducked as a rock flew past her head. She was about to attack when Suki tossed her fan at the Dai Li agent hitting him across the nose. The Dai Li agent clutched what was left of his nose trying to staunch the flow of blood when Katara used her water whip to knock him out of the fight. Katara smiled back at Suki. "Thanks Suki."

The leader of the Dai Li leader yelled at his men. "Keep fighting!" he yelled. "We can beat them."

His men were about to renew their efforts when the floor started to quake and a huge rock rose out of the ground and smashed into the Dai Li leader knocking him out. "I think that should do it," said Toph spitting on the ground and pointing at the other Dai Li. "Now unless the rest of you pansies want to end up like him, I suggest that you surrender."

The Dai Li agents looked at one another for a moment. One of them reached into his robe and pulled out several smoke bombs and tossed them on the ground filling the room with black smoke. Katara covered her mouth and coughed as she tried to see through the black cloud in the air and wished Aang had come along to clear the air. The smoke began to settle as Katara looked for her friends "Suki, Toph," called Katara. "Are you guys alright."

She heard Suki cough behind her. "Yeah," she said. "I'm fine, but I think the Dai Li ran away."

"They made a tunnel and escaped," said Toph walking freely around the room. "I tried to stop them, but the smoke messed me up."

"That's alright," said Suki as the last of the smoke cleared away. "None of us could see where they went."

"Gosh your right clown girl," said Toph sarcastically. "The smoke made it impossible for the blind girl to see." Toph waved her hand up and down in front of her face. Suki flipped her off and made faces at her. "I breathed in some of the smoke and couldn't bend because I was coughing," she explained. "If it hadn't been for that, I would have taken them all out."

"Well get them next time," said Katara trying to dust herself off. "In the mean time, I could use a shower."

"Sounds good," said Suki stretching her arms above her head. "A nice long hot shower."

Toph scratched her chest. "Ehhh," she grunted. "I'm perfectly fine for at least two or three more days."

Katara sniffed the air and covered her nose. "I don't think so Toph," she said. "You're getting a bath as soon as we get back to our room."

Toph smiled and got into an earth bending stance. "Care to make me, Sugar Queen?"

Katara was about to take the Earth Bender on, when an Earth Kingdom guard walked into the room. "We stopped the other Dai Li," he said. "The Earth King wishes you to come to the throne room and discuss this latest attack."

"So much for a shower," mumbled Suki. As Toph grinned.

A few moments later they stood before the Earth King and his pet bear. Katara studied Bosco for a moment and wondered for the hundredth time where the heck did a plain bear come from. It was like some weird alien. "This attack makes the fourth attempt to rescue Long Feng," said the Earth King. "No matter how many of his agents we capture, more seem to take their places."

"They can't keep this up," said Suki. "They have to know they can't win by now."

"I'm not so sure," said Toph. "As long as they think they can get Long Feng out of prison, they will keep trying."

"I'm not even sure why they want Long Feng out," said the Earth King. "They betrayed him when Princess Azula took over Ba Sing Se and I doubt he would be willing to forgive them after he was just steps away from becoming the ruler of the city."

Katara shrugged. "Maybe these are the loyalist who didn't side with Azula," she said. "We know that not all of them supported her and where a part of the cities resistance fighters."

"Why not just execute him?" asked Toph. Katara and Suki exchanged looks but didn't say anything. "He committed treason and all that so wouldn't killing him end all this?"

Basco growled and the Earth King patted him on the head. "I know Basco," he said. "As much as Long Feng's actions demand he be executed for treason, he has some sympathy in the upper class who remembers that he kept the war out of the city for so long." The Earth King sighed. "If I execute him, it could cause troubles with the nobility," he continued. "Besides it won't guarantee that the Dai Li will stop causing trouble. If I execute him, he will become a martyr and things may escalate into a civil war."

"It may also make them try to assassinate the king himself," said Katara. "We can't risk the King's life by killing Long Feng."

Toph shrugged. "Whatever," she said. "Either way as long as we are around, Long Feng's butt is staying in that cell."

"But we can't stay here forever," said Katara. "We need to find a place to put Long Feng where the Dai Li can't get to him."

The King folded his hand into his robes. "Agreed," he said. "That is why I am going to ask Fire Lord Zuko to put Long Feng in the Boiling Rock Prison with other political prisoners who threaten to start the War over again."

"Good," said Suki. "That hell hole will be a nice place for someone like Long Feng to live in."

"When do you plan to take him there?" asked Katara.

"As soon as I get word back from Fire Lord Zuko," said the King. "Until then I must ask you to continue helping us keep Long Feng imprisoned."

Katara nodded her head. "You can count on us your majesty."

"Good," said the King relaxing in his seat. "I'm sure that this will all be behind us soon."

Jia walked through the forest of Ba Sing Se. She knew the city was nearby, but she had to find the spot. It took her a while because the forest had changed, but soon she found it. It was a small clearing that still remained untouched by the forest. It was here that her people had made camp in hopes of entering the city. She put a hand on a tree trunk and felt the black scar that ran across it. It was her they were betrayed and captured by the Fire Nation. As she walked into the clearing her foot kicked up something covered in dirt and grime. She picked it up and brushed off the muck. It was the end of a glider staff. One end was clean the other had been burned off. She held it to her chest and cried as she remembered that terrible night.

"They're coming," said Jia jumping out of the tree she had been sitting on and landing in front of Di-Lan. "I can see them."

Di-Lan smiled and patted her on the head. "You have good eyesight," he said. He noticed Jia scratch at her new tattoo on her head. "Still itches?" he asked.

Jia nodded her head and began to scratch more vigorously. "Yeah," she said. "It's been keeping me up for a while." She looked at Di-Lan imploringly. "Isn't there anyway to make it stop?"

Di-Lan chuckled. "I'm afraid not," he said. "Back at the temple, the masters said that the itching was a way to train our minds to ignore physical discomfort."

Jia frowned as she continued to scratch. "Sounds dumb to me," she said. "I'll ask Lia if she has something."

Di-Lan was about to say something when he heard the tree branches being pushed aside. Di-Lan watched as several Dai Li agents and their leader Long Feng walked towards them. It had been four days since they had gotten to Ba Sing Se and had been told that they could not enter the city. Di-Lan made an appeal, but he had been told that the decision was up to Long Feng. As the agents approached Di-Lan looked at them warily. He counted about ten Dai Li agents including Long Feng. Jia jumped back into her tree and watched from above as Di-Lan greeted the men with a bow. "Welcome friends," he said. "How are you this evening?"

Long Feng didn't bow back as he stared at the Airbenders with contempt in his eyes. "It is the decision of the Dai Li that you are refused entry to Ba Sing Se," he said.

Di-Lan's face looked surprised. "But why?" he asked. "We have done nothing wrong."

Long Feng looked board. "The Fire Nation is hunting down Airbenders with a passion," he said. "If they find that Airbenders are in Ba Sing Se, then they will not stop attacking our city until you are all dead. Because of this, it is decided to deny you entry to Ba Sing Se in order to protect our city."

Di-Lan didn't understand. "If the Fire Nation attacked," he said. "We would be an asset."

Long Feng put his hands behind his back. "Oh but you are an asset," he said. "You see, I know the Fire Nation is leading a massive army here under the command of Prince Iroh. They plan to lay siege to our city and most likely they will succeed in doing so."

"Then you will need our help," said Di-Lan. "My people will be able to cover ground faster than your men. We could be scouts and spies and even hit and run attacks."

"You will help us," said Long Feng. "More than you know." He snapped his fingers and suddenly Fire Nation troops surrounded the Air Nomad's camp.

Di-Lan looked at Long Feng uncomprehendingly. "Why?" he asked as a Fire Nation soldier laid a hand on him. "Why have you betrayed us?"

"Simple," said a Fire Nation General stepping next to Long Feng. "I will allow the siege to last 600 days and in exchange for me forcing it to end, I get the glory of being the man who killed the last of the Air Nomads as well as disgracing General Iroh."

"I see," said Di-Lan. "Are we to be your prisoners then?"

The Fire Nation General gave him a wolfish smile. "Afraid I don't feel like dealing with prisoners." The Fire Nation General punched at Di-Lan sending a ball of fire into the monk's stomach knocking him to the ground.

Jia watched in horror as her people tried to defend themselves from the fiery onslaught, but to no avail. They were not fully trained Airbenders. Aside from Di-Lan only two others had experience in combat. The Air Benders were simply slaughtered. Di-Lan got to his feet and tried to attack as many Fire Benders as he could. He pulled out his staff and sent gusts of Air in every direction. A Fire Bender tried to grab him, but Di-Lan twisted out of his grasp and brought his staff around hitting the man at the base of the neck. The man dropped dead on the ground as Di-Lan attacked more of the solders. He yelled at his people to run, but before the words could leave his mouth, he was hit several times by fire blasts. Di-Lan fell to his knees. He looked up and saw Jia. He smiled at her before a final blast hit him in the chest. Di-Lan fell to the ground his lifeless eyes looking up a Jia. Then as quickly as it had begun it was over. Without thinking, Jia jumped from the tree and cradled Di-Lan's face in her arms and cried.

The general walked up to her. "Well looks like we missed one," he said raising his hand. "Don't worry little girl, you'll be with your people soon enough."

The world seemed to slow down for Jia as the General's hand descended. Moving faster than she had ever moved before, she spun and pointed her hand at his head and sent a wave of air at his face. The General screamed and grabbed what remained of his left eye as blood flowed from the gash that went from his cheek to his hair line. The other Fire Benders moved to attack, but Jia swept her legs around and sent a razor sharp crescent of air at their feet. Most of the jumped out of the way, but two of them were not so lucky. They both screamed in pain as they tried to stop the blood flowing from the stumps of their shins. Jia was about to attack again when a rock struck her in the cheek. Stunned, she turned around in time to see Long Feng send another rock that struck her in the forehead. Then she saw nothing.

Jia wiped the tears from her eyes as her memory ended. She buried the end of the glider in the ground and got to her feet. She was about to leave the clearing when she felt the earth shake. Without warning the ground in front of her opened up reveling a tunnel. Jia jumped behind a tree and watched as several men came out of the tunnel. Jia saw their uniforms and gasped. They were Dai-Li agents. She gripped her staff and was about to attack when she heard one of them speak.

"We're never going to get Long Feng out of prison if this keeps up," said one of the agents.

"We can't give up," said another. "We need a new plan."

"What's the use," said an agent with a broken nose. "The Avatar's friends are guarding him and we don't have the ability to beat them."

Jia's eyes narrowed at the mention of the Avatar's friends. She listened to what had happened and it was apparent that Long Feng was beyond her reach. Still, she thought to herself. I could use these guys to help me get into his cell. Jia smiled as a plan formulated in her head. She got out from behind the tree and began to walk towards them.

"Maybe we can get reinforcements from somewhere," said an agent. "One of the other cells perhaps?"

Jia spoke up. "Or maybe you just need a little help from a different kind of bender."

Immediately Jia felt herself be encased in rock. Jia didn't panic, but kept a calm look on her face as one of the agents approached her. "Who are you?" he asked. "How did you find us?"

Jia smiled. "My name is Jia," she said. "I'm a mercenary that specializes in jail breaks. As to how I found you, that was an accident."

The Dai-Li agents looked at each other before the man Jia assumed was the leader spoke. "I've never heard of you," he said. "I think you are an Earth King spy."

Jia shrugged. "I'm no spy," she said. "I'm just a wondering mercenary looked for a payday."

The leader smiled at her. "Alright, Jia the mercenary," he said. "You said we needed a different kind of bender what kind of bender do you think we need?"

Jia smiled at him. "If you let me go I'll show you," she said.

The man thought it over for a moment before he snapped his fingers. He wasn't too sure about this stranger, but he was desperate for some sort of edge to get to Long Feng. The other Dai-Li agents (those that could move) surrounded her. "All right," he said. "Show us. But if you try anything, we will kill you."

Jia nodded as one of the Dai-Li agents lowered his hand causing the stones to slip off her. She rotated her arm then pointed her hand at the leader of the Dai-Li. "Hey what are you trying to…" before he could finish he found himself floating on top of a ball of air. Then as suddenly as it appeared it slowly faded until his feet were on the ground.

Jia smiled at the shocked agents. "That answer your question?" she asked. "Or do you need me to make a giant tornado?"

The agent looked at her in shock. "You're an Airbender?"

Jia rolled her eyes. "Yes I am," she said. "One of only two left in the world." She smirked at the still shocked agents. "Five guesses on whom the other one is and your first four don't count."

"It's a trick," said one of the other agents. "The Avatar is the last Airbender alive. The fire nation killed the rest."

Jia shook her head. "I wasn't with the other Airbenders," she lied. "I decided to make my own way when I was 12 so I packed up and left them."

"Why did you do that?" asked the leader. "Didn't you try to help your people?"

Jia shrugged. "I didn't believe in the whole not killing thing," she said. "Even as we fought for our lives, most of the Airbenders wouldn't kill. I have no such moral conviction. They found it distasteful and I left."

Jia watched their faces as they processed what she said. She was lying to them through her teeth they seemed to be buying it. "You said you were an expert in prison breaks," he said slowly. "Care to mention any that we may know of?"

Crap," thought Jia. Didn't think they would ask that. She tried to think of some great jail break she heard about, but her mind was a blank. She thought for a moment before she remembered something one of the guards had said. "I'm the one who broke the Avatar out of the Fire Nation base," she said.

"You're the Blue Spirit?" asked the leader.

"Yes I am," said Jia not knowing who that were talking about. The Dai-Li looked at each other. Jia rolled her eyes. "Think about it," she said. "The Fire Nation troops were prepared for a rescue attempt by every kind of bender except Air. All the various acrobatic moves and the impossible jumps were because we were both Airbenders."

"That would explain a few things," said the Dai-Li agent. He looked her over again. "My name is Wu Lo, Captain of the Dai-Li," he said. "Can you help us get our leader out of prison?" Jia nodded. "You do know we will be going up against the Avatar's friend's right?"

Jia smiled. "That's why having me help you will be an advantage," she said. "When they find out I'm an Airbender, they will be confused and that confusion will give us the edge we need."

Wu Lo smiled as he thought of the plan. "It could work," he said. "We will attack again in two days."

Jia smiled as the Dai-Li cheered. In two days she would have her revenge on Long Feng. One of the agents passed out some cooked meat and the men began to feast. He handed a plate to Jia. "Thanks," she said.

Wu Lo saw her take the plate. "I thought Airbenders didn't eat meat," he said surprised.

Jia shrugged and took a big bite of it and let the juices flow into her mouth. "Like I said," she replied. "I'm different from other Airbenders."

Wu Lon shrugged. His Lieutenant called him to the side. He excused himself and walked over to him. "Sir," said his Lieutenant. "You don't really trust her do you?"

Wu Lon shook his head. "Of course not," he said. "But if what she says is true, then we will be able to get Long Feng out of prison." He turned and saw Jia staring at them. He smiled and waved at her as he whispered to his Lieutenant. "I want you to watch her and follow her," he said. "Make sure she isn't going to betray us."

"If it turns out she is a spy?" asked his Lieutenant.

Wu Lon didn't hesitate. "Kill her," he said.

Fire Lord Zuko and Admiral Lao watched as the Air Bison landed inside the base. Aang jumped off followed by Sokka.

"Are you sure it is wise telling the Avatar about this?" asked Lao. "We can take care of this situation ourselves."

Zuko shook his head. "For the last time he needs to know," he said. "I know your concerns, but I trust Aang will do the right thing."

Lao sighed and bowed. "As you wish my Lord," he said. "I'll make sure the Ursa is prepared for takeoff as soon as you are ready."

Admiral Lao left as Aang and Sokka walked up. Zuko smiled as he shook Aang's hand. "Aang," he said. "I wish we could have met under better circumstances."

Aang nodded. "I wish we could have as well," he said.

Sokka stretched his back and stood next to Zuko and threw an arm around his shoulders. "Well you know how the universe treats us," said Sokka. "Just when it seems we see a light at the end of the tunnel, we find out it's a train coming to hit us."

"It's good to see you too, Sokka," said Zuko shrugging off Sokka's arm. "We need to head to my private chambers, we have a lot to talk about."

Zuko lead the two through the base and into his personal chambers. As they did Sokka whispered to Aang. "Are you going to tell Zuko about your dream?" he asked.

Aang nodded. "Yeah," he said. "He needs to know."

Sokka nodded then spoke to Zuko. "So what's this all about Zuko?" asked Sokka. "The message you got was kinda vague."

"It's not something you are going to enjoy hearing about," said Zuko leading them into his chambers. He sat down behind a desk and offered a seat to his friends. Zuko's eye twitched as Sokka slumped into his chair and put his feet on Zuko's desk and leaned back, but he didn't say anything. After they had settled Zuko got started. "About two days ago the FNS Azulon was attacked and destroyed outside the port city of Kuzon killing all but one member of the crew. The ship had not even sunk before the same person attacked and destroyed most of the City itself before disappearing. The death toll is in the tens of thousands right now. The city will take years to rebuild.

Sokka gave a low whistle. "Man one person took out a Fire Navy ship and a whole city," he said. "That's insane."

Aang leaned forward in his chair. "Who did this?" he asked. "Who could have done this much damage?"

Zuko closed his eyes. "The survivor of the Azulon got a firsthand look," he said. Zuko paused knowing this was the part he didn't want to talk about. "Aang I don't know how to say this, but according to the survivor the person who attacked was an unknown female Airbender."

Sokka fell backwards in his chair as Aang stared into space. "You've got to be kidding," said Sokka looking up at Zuko from the floor. "An Airbender? I think someone had too much cactus juice."

"Are you sure?" asked Aang carefully trying to hide a growing sense of excitement. "Are you absolutely sure it was an Airbender?"

"Oh come on," said Sokka picking his chair up and sitting back down. "This has to be some sort of trick."

"By who?" asked Zuko. "Who would gain by impersonating an Airbender and attacking a Fire Nation ship and City?" Zuko looked at Aang. "The City was destroyed by a tornado in the middle of a cloudless night," he said. "The Azulon survivor lost an Arm to an Airbending attack. We are completely sure that this was the work of an Airbender."

"This doesn't sound right," said Aang thoughtfully. "If she is an Airbender, then she wouldn't be killing all those people."

"Well she did," said Zuko. "That's why I asked you here." Aang looked at his friend. "I need your help tracking her down and arresting her."

Aang sprang from his chair. "Arrest her?" he asked in surprise.

Zuko sighed. "Yes arrest her," he said. "She killed several thousand people. Men, women, and children. When we find her, I'm going to put her in prison for the rest of her life."

Aang slumped into his chair. "I don't believe this," he said. "Another Airbender is alive and it turns out she is a murderer."

Sokka patted Aang on the shoulder and looked at Zuko. "Do we know who she is?" he asked. "Or better yet where she has been hiding all these years? Maybe she came from a lost Airbending colony or something."

Aang's eyes brightened. "That could be why she attacked," he said. "She may think the War isn't over."

Zuko sighed. "That may be true. I have men searching the Archives for any information about the Airbender genocide and the possibility of survivors," he said. He looked at Aang. "I know this is hard. You just found out that you have a fellow Airbender after thinking you were the last one, but I need to know," said Zuko. "Will you help us catch her and bring her to justice for what she has done?"

Aang sadly nodded his head. "I will," he said. "I have to find out why she is doing all this and I have to stop her from doing it again."

Zuko studied Aang for a moment before he pulled another piece of paper out of a drawer. "We got a report from a group of soldiers dismantling a base in the Earth Kingdom early this morning," he said. "They report an Airbender heading in the direction of Ba Sing Se. That's where we are going to start looking."

Sokka shook his head. "Ba Sing Se is a big place," he said. "We are going to need a lot of help."

"Katara, Toph, and Suki are at Ba Sing Se," said Aang. "They can help us look for her."

"That's good," said Zuko wondering about the sour look on Sokka's face when Suki's name was mentioned. "We need all the help we can get." Zuko stood up as did Aang and Sokka. "We are leaving within an hour," he said. "We should be in Ba Sing Se in two days."

Aang nodded as Zuko lead them to the Airship. He couldn't help but think about what was happening and if this girl was part of his dream. Somehow he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had come over him. Aang also realized that he hadn't told Zuko about his dream. He knew that the female Airbender was a part of it and if Zuko found out that she may destroy the Fire Nation, he may kill her. Aang shook his head. Somehow he had to save her. He wouldn't fail this Airbender like he failed his people. He would save her, even if it meant defying Zuko and possibly harming the peace that the world had achieved.

Thanks for reading. I hope you are enjoying the story thus far. Please review and I hope to update soon enough.