Chapter 4:

Jet watched the troops below him scowling. They were laughing by the fire and enjoying themselves while so many people were suffering. They didn't deserve to be happy. He just needed an opening, then, they would "take care" of them. Turning his attention away from the soldiers, he spotted a group of three kids, a lemur, and an overly large… animal. He didn't know what that thing was. The kids were maybe a little younger than him, walking unsuspectingly close to the Fire Nation encampment. He thought about warning them but thought the better of it. This would be the perfect distraction.

As soon as the soldiers saw them and the kids saw the soldiers, Jet sprung his surprise attack. Dropping from the tree, he weaved in and out of the enemy, disarming them as he went. The rest of the Freedom Fighters followed, except Abigail. She didn't fight. But when one of them got injured, she was great to have on hand.

Catching swords as he went, Jet wished for the millionth time that he could actually kill the soldiers. But he didn't want the younger kids to see the blood, it would mentally scar them.

"Aghh!" Duke shouted as he was thrown off one of the soldiers.

He landed on the ground, his arm bending at an unnatural angle. For a moment, Jet saw red, and dove in, preparing to make that man rue the day he'd been born. Out of nowhere, a giant gust of wind blew, taking the soldier with it. Jet turned and saw one of the kids bending the air. Another kid, the only girl in the group, who was decently pretty, was also bending water.

In just a short amount of time, the Fire Nation soldiers were taken care of. Kneeling down beside Duke, Jet called,

"Abi!"

From her hiding place in the bushes, Abigail appeared. She couldn't have hidden in the trees where it was marginally safer because of her injury, so Abigail usually stayed on the ground. Using her crutch, she limped/walked over to where Jet and Duke were. Her wildly curly hair fell in front of her face as she knelt down and looked at Duke's arm.

"Well he definitely hurt it, that's for sure. It's fractured." She said gravely. "Hold still Duke," Abigail continued in a motherly voice.

Jet had to smirk.

At first, when he let Abigail join the Freedom Fighters, he'd been slightly unsure. She would always have these moments, where she'd behave rather strangely. She was also permanently crippled which meant she couldn't really fight. But she was a pretty good healer and usually, when one of his Freedom Fighters got hurt, they'd just have to suck it up and deal with it. But with Abigail, they got treatment. She'd also become like a mother to most of them, despite being with them for only a few weeks.

Reaching in her bag, she pulled out a little clay jar which was full of her multipurpose healing salve. Rubbing it lightly on Duke's arm, hoping not to upset it any further, she gingerly wiped the salve in over the inflamed area.

Looking around for a moment, she gather a stick, about the size of Duke's arm, but thinner, and tearing off some strips of cloth from the tents, she placed the stick on Duke's arm, straitening it, and then wrapped the cloth around it to hold it in place.

"… Sorry, that's the best I can do…" she said softly, obviously not happy with herself.

"Thanks Abi." Duke said, wincing as he got up.

Jet stood and then walked over to new kids, thinking that maybe they would be some good recruits. However, before he could reach them, a blur of green shot past him and latched itself onto… the strange kid with the arrow on his head.

Even stranger was that the green blur… was Abigail.


I had to tell myself to snap out of it and focus as I made a splint for Duke. Just a few yards away from me were them! Team Avatar! I kept telling myself to hurry up and fix Duke so then I could introduce myself. Keep calm rang in my head. I could not fangirl or cause a scene. Just as I had finished with Duke, I spied Jet walking over to them. Finally getting a good look at the gaang, I felt all my resolve to act cool crumble.

They were here. They had come. They were going to help me.

Taking notice of me, Aang gave me a small smile. Ignoring the protest of my leg, I leapt up and shot past Jet. Then… I hugged Aang. During that moment, all wisdom and knowledge left me. I was overly emotional. My search was finally coming to an end and my fear, of never knowing what tomorrow might bring was over. I had found my path.

I started tearing a bit and Aang… poor Aang.

"Uhh…" he said looking at Jet.

Jet's eyes were extremely wide and he was kind of shocked.

"She doesn't normally… do this…" Jet said.

"Sorry…" I sniffled before pulling away. "I like hugging people." I tried.

"You like hugging people?" Katara gaped.

Suddenly embarrassed, I blurted out the first thing which came to mind.

"It's a fetish!" I blabbed. "I… uh… just like to hug people! Even strangers! See!" I said.

And to prove my point, I moved over to hug Sokka. As I latched my arms around him, he started screaming like a little girl and panicking, trying to shove me off. I began to laugh. At my giggling, Aang, the sweet boy he was, began to laugh as well.

I let go of Sokka and he visibly breathed a sigh of relief. Like you know the little sigh sign that's occasionally used in anime? I could practically see it as I released Sokka.

Looking the Gaang over, I marvelled at their looks. It was the whole confusing cartoon to real life. Thankfully, they looked nothing like their movie counterparts. Sokka was probably slightly taller than me and had surprisingly quite a bit of acne on his face. His skin tone was darker than I expected and his icy blue eyes contrasted greatly with his earthy skin color. Katara was still pretty and her hair was slightly messier than in the show, not entirely tucked neatly into her braid. Really, she looked like a fourteen year old girl who left home. And Aang… he was so dang cute. Like that little boy you just want to love and hug forever. His big grey eyes were mesmerising and he was shorter than I thought he would be.

Although it was slightly confusing, it was pretty amazing to see them as actual people and not just cartoon characters.

"… Hey," Jet finally said after a moment awkward of silence caused by me.

"… That was so cool how you took out a whole army by yourself!" Aang gushed.

Sokka, not wanting to be bested and still pretty prideful since it was only… episode ten? Scoffed and said,

"Please, it was only like twenty guys!"

"My name's Jet." He started, "and these are my Freedom Fighters! Sneers, Longshot, Smellerbee, the Duke and Pipsqueak… oh, and Abigail who you're already pretty acquainted with it seems."

I snorted. I was so appreciated.

Aang chortled. "Pipsqueak? That's a funny name!"

Pipsqueak who was not at all sensitive about his name but liked to scare people suddenly looked angry and growled,

"You think my name is funny?!"

Aang, not at all fazed, answered, "It's hilarious!"

At this they both burst into laughter and I smiled along with them. Today was a great day in my opinion. A bit later, everyone was checking through supplies. I was standing against a tree with Jet beside me. Watching everyone, I couldn't help but feel contented.

"So, are these your friends?" Jet asked me.

"Huh?" I said a bit startled by the question.

"Actually, we don't know her… at all." Sokka said sceptically.

"Yeah… they're not my friends… but the boy was so… cute?" I tried. "I just had to hug him."

Jet smirked, "How come you never hug me?"

I scowled. He was such an awful flirt. Unfortunately, I couldn't stop the beating of my heart or the fact that if I didn't have such dark coloured skin, everyone would clearly see I was blushing. Spending time with Jet and the Freedom Fighters, I had come to realize Jet truly did care for them. He watched out for them and was basically a father to a lot of them. But he also hated the Fire Nation and would do anything to hurt them. He was complicated.

"Because you are not cute enough." I said haughtily.

He feigned injury. Just then, Katara came up and I knew exactly what was going to happen.

"Um...thanks for saving us Jet. We were lucky you were there." She said shifting on her feet, obviously attracted to him. I remembered how shallow I thought Katara was for even liking the guy. But now, I was such a hypocrite.

"I should be thanking you. We were waiting to ambush those soldiers all morning; we just needed the right distraction. And then you guys stumbled in."

"Sure, let the kids wander into a Fire Nation camp because you need a distraction. That was so heroic of you." I muttered.

"We were relying on instincts." Katara said slightly exasperated.

"You'll get yourself killed doing that." Jet stated.

Sokka who was listening without trying to look like he was eavesdropping flinched and scowled. While Jet went over to talk to Pipsqueak and the Duke, who still looked like he was in pain, I just leaned against the tree wanting to say something to Katara but unable to find anything to say without… embarrassing myself.

"So if you're a Freedom Fighter, why didn't you, well, fight?" Katara asked.

"I can't." I replied a little nervous. I was speaking to Katara! How else would you expect me to react?

"What do you mean you can't?" Katara questioned.

Facing her, I gestured to my leg and answered,

"I was attacked about a year ago. My leg was heavily injured so I can't really walk properly anymore. That's why I have this crutch. And also why I can't fight. Honestly, I don't even know how. But I was apprenticed in the art of healing for about a year. I think that's why Jet keeps me around." I shrugged.

"Oh… the Fire Nation took my mom…" Katara said softly.

I blinked. I often forgot how free she was with her past. She was trusting and sweet and very open with everything unlike me. During my time with the Freedom Fighters, I never once mentioned my brother. I didn't know why. Honestly, even those who I truly trusted had a hard time getting information from me. It was like pulling teeth.

"I'm sorry for your loss." I said sincerely.

"I'm sorry too. It's just hard to believe that some people are so evil. How old were you?" Katara fumed.

"Your age." I said quietly.

"It's despicable… I hate them." Katara muttered.

I didn't say anything. A part of me wanted to, to say that not all of them were evil but I kept silent. Right now wasn't the time.

"—so you want to see our hideout?" I heard Jet say.

Katara perked up immediately and answered, "Yes! We want to see it!"

Jet's smile softened just a little bit and I felt… a small pang of jealousy. I groaned and collapsed to the ground. How could I be jealous? I knew what was going to happen. Jet would betray everyone and Katara would leave him and I would go with them and nothing would come of Jet and Katara but… but…

I rolled on the ground wailing and everyone watched me.

"… Does she normally do that?" Sokka said.

Jet, slightly embarrassed for me, rubbed the back of his head and said, "Occasionally… honestly, I don't think normal is in Abi's vocabulary."

Slightly ticked, I defended, "I can be normal… when I want to…"

Pipsqueak, Duke, and Smellerbee tried to hide their giggles but failed miserably. I was known among the Freedom Fighters for my random outbursts and they often laughed at me for it, good naturally of course.

"Oh shut up." I muttered. "We have a hideout to be heading to anyway."


It was dinnertime and everyone was gathered around the table except for a few sentries. Although I couldn't climb trees to save my life, the robe mechanism helped me up to the hideouts without many problems. I surveyed the smiling faces of everyone and couldn't help but grin myself. It was moments like these which helped my loneliness just a bit. The glowing lanterns and happy faces reminded me of Chinese New year. Because I lived in Malaysia for seven years of my life and my father was Chinese, every Chinese New year we would visit our family, eat, laugh, and just spend quality time together. This reminded me slightly of that.

Jet stood up to give his little speech which he always gave at dinner. Sometimes he would say something new, but most of the time it was along the lines of, the Fire Nation is evil, we will stop them even if we are kids. He just worded it differently almost every time.

"Today, we struck another blow against the Fire Nation swine." He announced.

Everyone cheered and even Aang and Katara shouted as well. Sokka however, just looked bummed as Jet continued his little speech,

"I got a special joy from the look on one soldier's face, when the Duke dropped down on his helmet and rode him like a wild hog monkey."

The helmet-less Duke was sitting on the platform between Longshot and Smellerbee. He stood, joined Jet on the table and amid all the cheers took a victory walk around a fish platter before I grabbed his shirt and gave him the "if you don't sit down and rest I'm going to tie you to a chair" look. I was quite famous for those.

"Now, the Fire Nation thinks they don't have to worry about a couple of kids hiding in the trees." For a dramatic flourish, he casually took a sip from his wooden cup. "Maybe they're right."

Everyone booed and howled.

"Or maybe...they are dead wrong." Jet said with anger in his voice. The lighting of the lanterns made his eyes look almost red for a moment. Once again, I wondered why on earth I liked him. But then, my heart would come to his defence. He was complicated. Just like I was. Just like we all were.
Everyone cheered after he finished and Jet took a seat beside Katara and Aang. I was across from them trying to give them space after the hugging incident earlier. I spied Momo resting on Aang's shoulder and held out a little nut to him. Reaching out for it, Momo snacked on it. To my utter joy and delight, Momo then glided over to me. I laughed as he searched me for more nuts.

Katara complimented, "Hey Jet, nice speech."

Jet smirked, "Thanks. By the way, I was really impressed with you and Aang. That was some great bending I saw out there today." He said in his "I'm too hot voice"

Katara blushed a bit. "Well, Aang's great. He's the Avatar. I could use some more training."

Deciding that it wasn't healthy for Katara to put herself down, knowing from personal experience, I joined their little conversation,

"You did great as well. I've never met an actual water bender before, but you were fantastic."

"Avatar huh? Very nice." Jet said turning to Aang.

Aang, the innocent, cute, naïve boy he was just replied, "Thanks Jet."

Jet, never one to turn down useful recruits, said, "So I might know a way that you and Aang can help in our struggle."

Sokka, unable to just sit there listening anymore responded curtly, "Unfortunately we have to leave tonight."

He stood and began to walk away but Jet, knowing exactly how to manipulate Sokka complained,

"Sokka, you're kidding me! I needed you on an important mission tomorrow."

"What mission?" He asked sceptically.


I tossed and turned in my bed that night. If all went as it did in the episode, Sokka would go on Jet's "mission" angered at Jet and the Freedom Fighters for hurting the old man. I needed to… win them over and prove that I wasn't like the rest of them so that when they left, I could join them. This meant, I needed to intercept Sokka on his way back and talk to him. The plan seemed good but it made me feel slightly shallow. I was manipulating the situation… kind of like Jet. But I needed to go with them; my brother's life depended on it. As soon as I joined them, I would win their trust naturally. With those thoughts in mind, I drifted to sleep.

I walked in an empty black void, my steps echoing everywhere. It was cold and lonely; I was very familiar with the feelings. Suddenly, a light flashed and I shut my eyes. I found myself inside… my old room. The faded pink and purple walls were still the same. However, most of my drawings were off the cork board which was over my desk. Then I noticed most of my stuff was missing. My dance bag, my note books, my clothes from the dresser, and even my set of drawers which held all my other stuff was gone. I heard light sniffles.

Sitting on the lower bunk of the bed was my sister Marie. Her eyes were red but that wasn't really a surprise. She was quite the cry baby. However, on her lap was a little drawing. It was a crudely drawn picture of me; she and I think Daren, standing side by side. Underneath it was written, "Me, my sister, and my brother" Marie continued to sob. Finally after a moment, she whispered,

"Why did you have to go…?"

The scene shifted to my parents. My mom was sitting at the dining room table also crying and my Dad behind her rubbing her shoulders.

"I can't believe they're gone." She cried.

"It was bad enough losing a single child but both of them? Why? Why did this have to happen?" My mom wailed.

My dad could only hold her as she continued to cry. I felt so guilty. This wasn't the first time I had witnessed this dream. I didn't know if it was my mind, or I was really seeing my family. Apparently, they thought Daren and I were dead. For all I knew, we were dead to them.

Then, once more, surprising me, the scene shifted again.

This time, it was… it was my best friend. She was sitting alone at her desk, flipping through something. She looked thinner and her eyes had bags under them. I looked closer and I realized what she was reading. When we were thirteen, we had found a good piece of cardboard. We had begun writing best friend quotes from the internet on pieces of paper and taping them to the cardboard and now… she was reading through them. She stopped at the page which held our bucket list. Things we were going to do together.

She burst into tears.

Throwing the memoir across the room she yelled,

"Why did you leave me? You promised best friends forever! We were going to do so many things together! We were going to go skydiving, form a band, dance together, why did you leave?"

At this I started crying as well.

"I didn't want to leave!" I tried to say but the words never came.

Instead I found myself back where I had started. Alone in an empty black hole with no way out.


I woke up with sweat on my brow feeling like crap. I ached and tears were falling out of my eyes. Not a day went by when I didn't think about them, my family or my friends but dreams… they made everything surreal. Getting out of my mat, I walked out of the little tree hut I was in and leaned on the rails. I heard steps. They were light and airy and I had never heard them before. It only took me a moment before I realized who it was.

"Are you okay?" I heard Aang say.

I turned and wiped the tears from my face. Great, now I had been caught crying, something which I loathed. Hoping and praying he hadn't seen me very well because of the dark, I used my "cheery" voice and replied,

"Yeah…"

"… I… uh… heard you crying…" Aang said softly and nervously.

"Well what are you doing up." I snapped.

Aang flinched and suddenly I felt bad for snapping at him like that. He turned to walk away but I grabbed his small hand.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that… I just… I don't like it when people see me cry." I explained.

"I can leave-"He started but I interrupted him.

"You don't have to… I've actually heard that talking with strangers is easier than talking with friends about your problems so… I don't know…" I mumbled.

Sitting down with our backs against the outside of the little tree house, I started,

"I had to leave my family about a year ago. Sometimes, I have dreams. Mostly, it's them asking me why I had to go… they make me feel really crappy and unhappy and just… lonely so… yeah…"

"What does crappy mean?" Aang asked innocently.

I laughed lightly.

"Like poop." I said.

Aang made a face.

"Yeah, I know, weird analogy but it's very common in my… village... don't repeat it…" I replied. "So…" I continued, "Why are you up?"

"… Kind of the same… dreams…"

Instantly, I knew what he was talking about but I didn't press any further. He would confront his own past during another episode… the Storm. It wasn't my place at the moment.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." I told him. "Somethings are best shared with either strangers, or the people you trust."

"I… I was gone for a hundred years… Now that I'm back again, I've realized that… all my friends are gone." Aang said softly.

"Not all your friends. You have Katara and Sokka… and even me if you want. I can be your friend if you don't mind." I replied.

"I'd like that Abigail." Aang said with a smile.

"Please call me Abi. My name is really long compared to everyone else's so it's just best to shorten it." I said.

I stretched and yawned. "I really need to get some sleep so, it would be best for both of us to head for bed again."

Aang quickly got to his feet. Crawling, I prepared to use the outside of the hut to sort of help me up. I was surprised when Aang gave me his hand. Taking it, I shakily stood, still leaning against the back of the tree house.

"Thanks." I said.

Aang just smiled and headed back to wherever he had come from. Kind of walking into my little hut, I crawled back onto the little blanket and slept once more. This time, no dreams came to haunt me.


Sokka stormed back to the hideout, ticked at quite mad at Jet and his little "gang". They were rude, uncaring, and downright horrible to everyone… okay, not everyone, but he certainly hadn't treated that innocent civilian right. He was an old guy who probably hadn't done anything super bad in his life! And Jet had beaten him up!

Sokka watched as Aang and Momo played with the ziplines again. He leapt to a platform still scowling. Noticing Sokka, Aang yelled,

"Sokka! Look what the Duke gave me!"

Aang wore a satchel which was kind of similar to the old man's. Pulling a small pellet from it, he tossed it at Momo. With a sly grin, Aang watched as it exploded with a pop. Momo was not to be messed with. Lunging for the satchel, Mom grabbed it and sat on Aang's shoulder tossing pellets at his feet. Aang danced about wildly but Sokka was not amused.

Sokka heard Aang protest but turned his attentions to his little sister as she approached him.

"Hey Sokka. Is Jet back?" She asked innocently.

"Yeah, he's back. But we're leaving." Sokka replied curtly.

Aang gaped, "What? But we're having so much fun! And making new friends!"

"But I made him this hat." Katara added.

She pulled a rather funky looking… thing from behind her back and Sokka was unimpressed with the workmanship.

"Your boyfriend Jet's a thug." He accused.

"What? No, he's not." Katara defended.

Sokka continued, "He's messed up Katara."

Aang also came to Jet's defence to Sokka's displeasure, "He's not messed up, and he's just got a different way of life. A really fun way of life."

"He beat and robbed a harmless old man!" Sokka said.

Suddenly, Abigail appeared. Sokka wondered where she'd come from but she suddenly said,

"It's not all sunshine and rainbows guys… Although Jet is a friend… he is… complicated and I wouldn't put it past him to hurt a harmless civilian from the Fire Nation... He's done worse." Abigail said darkly.

Sokka was surprised that she was sticking up for him. But Katara, not having it, said,

"I wanna hear Jet's side of the story."

"But Katara-" Abi started before she was shut down.

"Isn't Jet your friend? I can't believe you aren't sticking up for him." Katara jabbed.

"It's because I know him and I care for you that I'm just telling you the truth so none of you get hurt." Abi responded.

"How could I get hurt?" Katara questioned.

"Look, I know you have a crush on him, but you have to understand that people are not always what they seem." Abigail answered.

"You're right. I thought you were someone trustworthy. Turns out you're not." Katara said indifferently before walking away to find Jet.

As Katara left to go find Jet, Sokka sighed. Sometimes, his little sister was way too gullible.

"Watch out." Abigail said all of a sudden. "Jet… he manipulates. He will turn this against you."

Sokka scoffed. "I thought you were his friend or something."

"… Honestly, I think he's just using me. If it weren't for my medical abilities, he would have probably left me to nurse my wounds. Just be on guard… and if you need help, don't hesitate to ask." Abigail said softly.

Sokka nodded. He was still unsure what to make of her. Leaving her to go find his sister, Sokka thought a lot about what Abigail said.


Sokka was still unhappy but for another reason. He felt pretty worthless at the moment. Right now, he was just walking about while innocent people could die. Behind him, Pipsqueak and Smellerbee followed him making sure he didn't run off or anything. His hands were tied behind his back. Smellerbee gave Sokka a shove and he stumbled but remained on his feet. He wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of watching him fall.

"Come on, move along!" Smellerbee jabbed.

Sokka unable to stand it anymore yelled back, "How can you stand by and do nothing while Jet wipes out a whole town?"

Pipsqueak responded, "Hey listen Sokka, Jet's a great leader. We follow what he says, and things always turn out okay."

"Hey guys!" A female voice called.

Limping up to them with her usual crutch was Abigail. Sokka wondered if she was in on the whole thing. She probably was. Sokka frowned. But then again, she had warned him.

"What are you doing with him?" Abigail asked.

"Jet said keep him busy so we're keeping him busy." Smellerbee snapped.

"Well Jet just told me to run over here and tell you that he changed his mind. You can free him guys. Jet needs your help over by the dam. Apparently, Katara and Aang have gotten wind of the plan and he's fighting them. He needs your help!" Abigail told them.

"How can we be sure you're not lying? No offense Abi, but you are still the newest Freedom Fighter. We're not entirely sure where your loyalties lie."

While the three were talking, Sokka noticed a couple of snare leaf piles nearby. They were identical to the one that captured Momo, right down to the pile of nuts. Because they were distracted, Sokka sprinted for the pile of snares.

"Hey!" Smellerbee shouted trying to grab him. She missed.

Giving chase, Smellerbee didn't notice the snares and while Sokka leapt over the leaf piles, Smellerbee and Pipsqueak didn't and ended up snared many feet in the air. Sokka was surprised that the snares could hold a giant like Pipsqueak, but he didn't dwell on that for long.

"Here, let me untie you!" Abigail suddenly said coming up behind him.

After the knots were untied, Sokka turned around to thank her but Smellerbee shouted,

"Traitor! How could you do this! We let you in to our homes! You were part of the group!"

Looking at her feet, Abigail replied,

"Although I liked you guys a lot… way more than I thought I ever would… I have my own things I need to take care of. Honestly, this could have never been my home."

"Thanks?" Sokka said after a moment.

"Not now, we don't have a moment to spare. We need to get down there and warn the villagers!"

Sokka nodded and followed began to head for the village. He was running but slowed down when he noticed that Abigail was quite a ways behind him.

"Just go! I'll only slow you down!" She yelled.


Katara and Aang, having just finished the work Jet had given them, had headed towards the reservoir in order to meet up with Jet, however, they on the edge of a cliff, they surveyed a terrible sight. From where they were, they could see four of Jet's freedom fighters unloading barrels from the wagon and arranging them at certain points on the base of the dam.

"What are they doing?" Katara whispered to Aang who stood beside her.

"Those are the red barrels he got from the Fire Nation…" Aang absentmindedly said.

"Why would they need blasting jelly?" Katara wondered aloud.

Suddenly an awful thought entered his mind. A plan so dastardly that only the cruellest and most hate-filled people would dare to act out. Abigail's words echoed through his mind.

"He's done worse."

"Jet's going to blow up the dam." Aang said softly.

"What?" Katara exclaimed. "No! That would destroy the town! Jet wouldn't do that!"

Aang, deciding he wouldn't waste another moment snapped his glider wings opened and ran for the edge saying,

"I've got to stop him."

As he left, Katara said to herself, "Jet wouldn't do that.

However, before Aang could reach the edge, Jet crossed his path, quickly snatching the glider. Aang dangerously wobbled precariously on the edge and was barely able to use his airbending to move himself back on stable footing.

"Yes I would." Jet said fiercely.

"Jet… why?" Katara asked.

"Katara, you would too if you just stopped to think. Think about what the Fire Nation did to your mother; we can't let them do that to anyone else, ever again!" Jet replied aggressively.

"This isn't the answer!" Katara cried, her eyes threatening to tear.

"I want you to understand me Katara. I thought your brother would understand but-"

"Where's Sokka?" Katara questioned emotion in every syllable.

Tears began to flow from her eyes. Reaching out, Jet touched her face whispering sweetly,

"Katara…"

She bowed her head as if she was defeated. Just for a moment, Jet thought he had won. Until Katara shouted with anger as she sent Jet flying with water from her waterskin. Jet let go of Aang's trusty glider. Reaching for it, Aang said to Katara,

"I need to get to the dam."

Just as he was about to grab it, the crescent end of one of Jet's Shuang gou pinned it like an axe. With the two weapons hook to hook, he pulled the sword and Aang's glider towards him.

"You're not going anywhere without your glider." Jet said menacingly.

Suddenly, Jet stumbled forward and nearly fell to the ground. Losing his grip of the glider, a hand grabbed it. Behind him, Abigail appeared, apparently having used her crutch as a battering ram.

"Too bad you don't have it." Abigail said defiantly.

"Abi?! What are you doing?" Jet roared angrily.

Katara and Aang just stared, unsure what to make of the situation.

"I'm doing what's right. Catch!" Abigail called.


I threw the glider as high as I could into the air after answering Jet's question in the cheesiest way possible. Knowing that Jet wasn't an airbender and Aang was, I was confident I had thrown it high enough so that only Aang could catch it. Catching on (see what I did there) really fast, Aang blasted himself into the air and fingered the glider. However, not everything went as I hoped. Catching onto Aang's foot, Jet dragged him to the ground and the glider fell to the floor. I reached for it again but this time I didn't have surprise on my side… or speed. Jet kicked me back and I fell a monkey on a unicycle on ice… don't ask.

"Abi!" Aang yelled as I my head hit the back of a tree.

Turning to Jet, Aang said, "I don't want to fight you."

Jet who had unfortunately and successfully retrieved the glider answered,

"You'll have to if you want your glider back."

Then, they fought. It was so smooth and fast, I couldn't keep up well. I suddenly realized how inept and weak I was. Even though my leg was injured, I needed to learn how to defend myself. I at least should try.

They went back and forth, one never getting the upper hand over the other, except for the fact that Jet still had Aang's glider. Getting up, I hoped to ambush Jet once more but I couldn't keep up with them and he was still watching me slightly. However, he wasn't watching Katara.

Jet was smashed by a large water strike. Using the water from the river, Katara threw Jet up against the trunk of a nearby tree. Unable to defend himself against the water, Jet could only stand there and get battered. I didn't like watching him get beat up but I knew it was necessary. My stupid crushing heart was so annoying. Freezing him to a tree, Katara cried,

"Why, Jet? I can't believe I trusted you. You lied to me! You're sick and I trusted you."

Suddenly, a signal call was heard, slightly startling Katara and Aang. I knew the call and moved to gag Jet with my hand but I was too slow. I knew Sokka was there getting everyone out, but I didn't want to take any chances. Jet answered the call and I knew what was going to happen.

"What are you doing?" Katara interrogated.

Jet smirked but this time, instead of cute, it seemed evil.

"You're too late."

Horrified, Katara yelled, "No!"

Aang having taken his glider ran for the nearby waterfall. His glider's wing was shredded and torn thanks to the fight so he had no lift and slammed into the ground near the edge. Katara ran over to help him.

"Sokka's still out there. He's our only chance." Aang said after a moment.

"Come on, Sokka. I'm sorry I ever doubted you. Please." Katara whispered.

I could only watch the tension building. It was terrifying. Seeing it on a screen, the full impact of the situation never had reached me but watching it unfold before my very eyes scared me.

Then the dam exploded. Smoke and fire was in the distance and I watched helplessly as the massive wall of water rushed towards the town.

Katara paled. "No…"

"Sokka didn't make it in time." Aang said solemnly.

Filled with anger, Katara turned towards Jet,

"All those people… Jet you monster!"

Jet just replied, "This was a victory Katara."

I snapped. I walked over and slapped him. Jet looked at me filled with hate because I had betrayed him but I didn't care.

"There is no victory when innocent blood is spilt. There is no victory when civilians die. There is no triumph when the hero turns into the monster he swore to defeat." I quoted from a book. "This wasn't a victory Jet. And you aren't a hero. You're not even a Freedom Fighter." I finished coldly.

"The Fire Nation is gone! They deserve to be gone! This valley will be safe!" Jet yelled at me.

"It will be safe; without you." Sokka suddenly said.

In shock, Jet looked up to see Sokka, Appa, and the darling little cute lemur Momo rise from below the level of the cliff. With Appa's reins in hand, Sokka looked pretty darn cool.

"Sokka!" Katara cheered.

"I warned the villagers of your plan just in time!"

"What?" Jet spat.

Sokka explained, "At first they didn't believe me. The Fire Nation soldiers assumed I was a spy. But one man vouched for me, the old man you attacked. He urged them to trust me, and we got everyone out in time."

Jet shouted, "Sokka, you fool! We could've freed this valley!"

Sokka replied, "Who would be free? Everyone would be dead."

Jet practically screamed, "You traitor!"

"No, Jet. You became the traitor when you stopped protecting innocent people." Sokka finished.

Looking absolutely pitiful, Jet tried,

"Katara… Please… help me…"

"Goodbye Jet."

"Abi?"

I sighed. He was using puppy dog eyes which should have been illegal for him. I turned around to face him and the gaang tensed, wondering if I would free him.

"Jet… somewhere, deep down inside of you… really deep… like super, truly, under the ground deep… there is someone who wants to be a hero. And I'm sure when you started out, you weren't… well… as bad as you are now. The desire to be a hero hasn't faded… it's just been covered up with a hard, cruel exterior. You need to think Jet. You need to delve deep into your own heart because if you don't find that innocent desire, you will forever be a villain." I said.

"Abi… please…"

"Jet!" I yelled. "Just stop. For once, just stop! Stop lying, stop manipulating, stop cheating, and stop turning these kids into killers! You knew that Katara liked you… you knew I liked you… but that didn't stop you from using us. For once, could you look at us like human beings instead of opportunities? … Just leave me alone…"

I walked away and somehow found myself standing by Aang.

"That must have been hard for you to do." Aang said. "To let go…"

"You have no idea what I'm still clinging on to…" I said under my breath.

"What did you say?" Aang asked innocently.

Taking in deep breath and covering up my previous statement,

"Please take me with you!"

Sokka, Katara, Aang and even Momo froze.

"What?" Sokka said confused.

"I'm looking for someone… And travelling on my own usually gets me attacked and beaten up… You guys… you guys are pretty awesome and… well… travelling on a flying bison would be much faster than walking and… I want to help you guys defeat the Fire Lord. I know… I know I can't defend myself very well… but I can do sewing, cooking, cleaning, and have some knowledge as a healer. If you guys get injured, I'm sure I can patch you up. So please… take me with you."

"Sure!" Aang said excitedly. "Since we're already friends!"

I blinked at how willingly he let me join.

Sokka shrugged. "My instincts say its fine so… welcome to aboard."

Katara was a bit hesitant. Granted, we hadn't talked to each other a lot and we had slightly butted heads when it came to Jet.

"… I don't see why not…" She finally said.

Everyone got onto Appa and I just stood there awkwardly unable to get up on my own.

"… Um… a little help?"

Aang held out his hand and pulled me up suddenly. I yelped as I landed awkwardly onto the giant saddle. Sokka said the famous words,

"Yip Yip."

And suddenly we were flying. We headed for the sky and I giggled like a little girl. The sky was so large and inviting. The wind was blowing my hair out of my face and I smiled wider than I had even before. I noticed Aang looking at me and he coughed turning to Sokka saying,

"We thought you were going to the dam. How come you went to the town instead?"

Katara smirked, "Let me guess, your instincts told you."

"Hey," Sokka protested, "Sometimes they're right."

"Um... Sokka? You know we're going the wrong way, right?" Aang said after a moment.

Sokka faltered but quickly recovered.

"And sometimes they're wrong." Sokka admitted.

I laughed and said,

"I'm looking forward to traveling with ya'll."


A.N.

And after three weeks, she finally updates! ... Three weeks...

Sorry about that. I've had Chinese New Year going on which is basically two weeks of nonstop partying and eating so... i'm fat and lazy right now... Also, this chapter is really long so... as an apology.

I just want to say something, this thing will not be complete. Like, I won't write every episode. I will write the episodes I want to write. But don't worry, it will all make sense and flow correctly. I have a couple things I want to do with this. The main reason I won't be writing all episodes is because that will take way too much of my time.

Well, even though it took me a long time, I hope you guys enjoy it.

with lots of smiles,

BigEyesBigSmile