Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender. I wish I did.
I have recently come across a trilogy on Fanfiction that has some similarities to my series. I swear I didn't know of those stories when I first published The Impossible Guardian. I don't plan on reading them until I finish my series, in case they influence the plot. Again, I apologize for anything that seems like plagiarism. I didn't mean for any confusion.
Keon, Katara, and Sokka were resting on Appa. It had been days since the incident with the waterbending scroll and the pirates. Aang and Katara were practicing when ever they could. He was catching on extremely quickly, not that Keon had expected any less. Katara was going just as fast, which Keon could understand. The two had been helping each other out, and Aang wouldn't move on to the next move until Katara got the hang of it.
Man, he got it bad.
"Where's Momo?" Keon suddenly heard Aang ask. Looking up, she too realize that the little flying lemur had disappeared.
A loud screeching came from deeper inside the forest. Aang immediately ran toward the sound, followed by Sokka, Katara, and Keon.
"Come, Appa," she said, patting the bison, not wanting to leave him behind, though she was sure he could take care of himself if any danger were to arise.
Aang led them to a clear. Looking up, he, along with the rest of them, spotted three cage traps hanging on ropes connected to the trees. Keon could hear Momo squealing, as well as screeches coming from the other two cages.
"Hang on, Momo!" Aang yelled, airbending himself to the tree which his cage's rope was connected to. Slowly letting it loose, Katara, Sokka, and Keon opened Momo's cage before it hit the ground. Momo quickly scampered out, and started chewing on the berry he had found. Sokka groaned in frustration at the lemur's tact.
"Silly lemur," Keon shook her head, laughing slightly. Momo never failed to amuse.
When Aang hit the ground, they all looked up at the other two cages. Moans erupted from each of them. Keon could see the animals' tail and arms hanging out of the trap, as if they were too tired to struggle anymore.
"Alright," Aang said, jumping back up into the air, "you too."
"This is going to take forever," Sokka complained, throwing his boomerang. It cut both ropes at the same time, right before Aang got to them.
"That works," Aang said, sliding back down the tree.
The four of them watched as the two animals scampered out of the cages and ran off.
"You've been practicing," Keon teased, bumping Sokka with her shoulder, and nodding at the boomerang.
"It's a natural talent," he argued.
Keon snorted, before glancing at the cages. Something about them caught her eye.
"Hey," she said, kneeling down next to one of them, "these cages. They're made of metal." She looked up at the other three. "Who uses metal cages?"
Sokka knelt down next to her to her and gingerly brushed the black material with his finger tips.
"These are Fire Nation traps," he said, examining them. "You can tell from the metal work." He looked up at Aang and Katara, then Keon. "We better pack up camp and get moving."
"Uh-uh," Sokka quickly said as Katara and Aang were packing their things on to Appa, "no flying this time." He took the bundle that Katara had handed to Aang, who was sitting on to of Appa and placed it back on the ground.
"Why wouldn't we fly?" Aang questioned.
"Think about it," Sokka explained." Somehow Prince Zuko and the Fire Nation keep finding us. It's because they spot Appa—he's just too noticeable."
"He's got a point there," Keon agreed, picking up a bundle of blankets off the ground.
"What?" Katara raised an eyebrow. "Appa's not too noticeable."
"He's a gigantic fluffy monster with an arrow on his head," Sokka said deadpan, "it's kinda hard to miss him." Appa growled and him, baring his teeth.
"Sokka's just jealous," Aang said gently to Appa from atop his head, "'cause he doesn't have an arrow."
"I know you all want to fly," Sokka said, mainly to Aang, "but my instinctst tell me we should play it safe this time and walk."
"And," Keon said, raising an eyebrow, "just when were you aloud to give us orders?'
"Yeah," Katara put her hands on her hips, smirking. "Who made you the boss?"
"I'm no the boss -I'm the leader."
Katara looked incredulous, "You're the leader? But your voice still cracks!"
Sokka was fuming.
"I'm the oldest," his voice cracked, "and I'm a warrior!" And again. "So... I'm the leader." Sokka tried to make his voice deeper, only succeeding in making Keon snort in an attempted to keep herself from doubling over in fits of laughter. "Shut up, Keon!"
"If anyone's the leader," Katara continued, shooting amused looks in her brother and Keon's direction, "it's Aang. I mean, he is the Avatar."
"Are you kidding?" Sokka asked. "He's just a goofy kid." To prove his point, they all glanced at Aang. He was hanging upside down by his hands with his legs in the air on Appa's horn. Appa looked unimpressed.
"He's right," Aang agreed.
"And you're just a goofy kid," Keon pointed out, directing her comment to Sokka. "We're all goofy kids. You were saying?"
"Why do boys always think someone has to be the leader?" Katara wondered out loud. "I bet you wouldn't be so bossy if you kissed a girl."
"I-I've kissed a girl," Sokka stammered. "You... just haven't met her."
"Who?" Keon asked, smirking.
"Yeah, who?" Katara pressed. "Gran-gran? I've met Gran-gran."
"No," Sokka defended, throwing his hands in the air, "besides Gran-gran. Look, my instincts tell me we have a better chance of slipping through on foot and a leader has to trust his instincts."
Keon and Katara glanced at each other.
"Okay," Katara finally gave in, "we'll try it your way, Oh Wise Leader."
Aang jumped off Appa and swung on a backpack. Momo climb up and sat atop it.
"Who knows," Aang grinned, as usual, "walking might be fun!"
"Walking stinks! How do people go anywhere without a flying bison?"
The group was trudging through the forest. Sokka was in front, while Aang, Katara, Appa, and Keon lagged behind. Momo was still perched on top of Aang's backpack.
"I don't know Aang," Katara said, glaring at the back of Sokka's head. "Why don't you ask Sokka's instincts; they seem to know everything!"
"Haha, very funny," Sokka snapped.
"I didn't realize how much stuff we had until we had to carry it all," Keon noticed, before smirking. "I wonder if Sokka's instincts can tell us how much it weighs."
"Yeah, yeah," Sokka grumbled.
"I'm tired of carrying this pack," Aang complained, pouting.
"You now who you should ask to carry it for a while?" Katara said, smiling sarcastically. "Sokka's Instincts!"
"Yeah," Keon added. "I've heard it's supported by his Ego."
"That's a great idea!" Aang said cheerfully, joining their teasing. "Hey, Sokka's Instincts, would you mind-."
"Okay, okay," Sokka yelling, finally through with how annoying they all were being. "I get it. Look guys, I'm tired too." He looked over his shoulder at them all as he pushed back some bushes.
"Wait, Sokka," Keon suddenly said, putting a hand out. No, don't...
"But the important thing is that we're safe from the- Fire... Nation..." All four of them froze just as Sokka turned back to face forward.
Oh, great.
"Sokka's instincts just ran us into a Fire Nation camp," Keon remarked, wide-eyed.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Sokka mumbled, just as shock as the rest of them. The Fire Nation army was staring straight at them. Nobody moved.
"Run!" Sokka screeched.
All four of them dropped their backpacks and ran in the direction they came from. Sokka's outburst must of trigger the army, because just after they started running, the Fire Nation soldiers were hot on their heels.
"Oh, no," Keon groaned as they all skid to a stop. The army had run them into a wall of fire they had built behind them. There was no way out of the small clearing.
"We're cut off!" Sokka announced as they all turned to face the approaching men.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious!" Keon yelled, spitting his words back at him as one firebender lobbed a ball of fire at them. It hit Sokka's shoulder and started burning his shirt.
"Sokka, your shirt!" Aang pointed at the flaming fabric. Sokka took one look at the small fire he hadn't noticed on him and screeched.
"Ahhh!" he yelled.
Katara quickly bent water from her canister and put out the flames, before all four of them turned to the Fire Nation soldiers that were advancing on them.
"If you let us pass," Sokka announced as all four of them got into fighting stances, "we promise not to hurt you."
"What are you doing?" Katara hissed.
"Bluffing," Sokka replied weakly.
"Yeah," Keon whispered. "I don't know how helpful that's going to be."
"You?" one of the soldier, the captain, smirk. "Promise not to hurt us?"
Suddenly, the captain groaned and fell forward, flat on his face. All of them, even the soldiers, watched, wide-eyed and surprised. Aang was the first to say anything.
"Nice work, Sokka!" he said brightly. "How did you do that?"
Still shocked, Sokka shrugged his shoulders, "Uh, instinct?"
Katara suddenly pointed to the top of one of the trees. "Look!"
Keon spun around and looked up at where Katara was pointing. Someone was standing on the branch of a tree.
The figure drew two hooked swords before swing down the tree and jumped right on top of two Fire Nation soldiers. He flipped over another two that both landed on the still unconscious captain.
"Down you go," he smirked at the soldier.
Another soldier attempted to surprised the boy by attacking him from behind, but he intercepted his attacks and flipped the soldier just like the others.
"Their in the trees!" one soldier realized before a smaller boy dropped on top of his head, laughing. Arrows started hitting swords out of soldiers' hands. The archer was hanging by his legs on a branch.
Another boy dropped out of the trees, this time he was significantly larger than all the others. His size apparently was an asset, as he managed to take down two soldiers with brute strength.
Suddenly, a soldier came charging toward Aang.
"Oh, no you don't!" Keon yelled as she dashed between the two of them, deflecting the firebender's physical and flaming attacks. He was knocked out cold with a groan.
"Thanks, Keo," Aang grinned at her. She smiled.
"No problem," she assured, before glancing at Katara and Sokka as well. "Come on," she gestured toward the fight. "They can't have all the fun." Soon, water, air, hand-to-hand combat and a boomerang joined the battle.
"Ahhhhh!" Sokka yelled as he ran toward an advancing soldier, holding his boomerang up in the air, ready to strike. But before he or the soldier were able to inflict any damage on each other -although Sokka was most likely going to be the one with cuts and bruises- the teenage boy with the twin swords got there first, kicking the unsuspecting Fire Nation soldier into a tree.
"Hey!" Sokka complained, dropping his arms and slouching. "He was mine!"
"Got to be quicker next time," the boy replied smugly, before dashing off to help the others.
"I like that kid," Keon remarked, after knocking out another soldier.
"Kid?" Katara asked, raising an eyebrow. "He looks older that you." A soldier came charging at both Katara and Keon. Katara quickly tripped him with the water she had, sending him off balance, before Keon flipped him on to his back.
"No one's older than me," Keon pointed out.
"Touche," Katara responded, before giving the strange, teenage boy a glance.
"I'm starting to like him, too."
Almost as fast as the fight started, it ended. The new crew of teenager that popped out of the trees were the ones to thank.
After kicking the last soldier's butt, the teenage boy with the hooked swords ran over to where Keon and Katara were standing.
"Hey," he said, nonchalantly. He was nearly a head taller than Katara, and practically a foot taller than Keon.
"Hi," Katara greeted breathlessly. The boy glanced at Keon, who looked unimpressed.
"Hello," she said, shrugging slightly. The boy had a slight air to him that suggested cockiness and arrogance that Keon hadn't noticed before. Then again, she had been fighting, but still, she took back what she had said earlier. She definitely did not like this kid. The fact that he had been chewing on that piece of green straw the whole time was fueling Keon's growing annoyance with the rebel.
"You just took out a whole army almost single handed" Aang exclaimed in awe, walking up to them and throwing his arms out. Sokka walked up behind the, looking incredulous.
"Army?" he snorted. "There were only, like, twenty guys!" The boy pretended not to hear him, only walking forward and turning around to face the four of them.
"My name is Jet," he told them. "And these are my Freedom Fighters." Jet gestured to the crew of kids behind him, naming them one by one. "Sneers," was a bulky guy who was eating out of one of the Fire Nation Army's food bowls, "Longshot," the tall, lanky boy with the bow and arrow looked up from behind his large hat, "Smellerbee," the kid would have looked innocent enough on his own with all the face paint he had on, but the two swords he drew and the knife in his mouth were enough for you to think twice before cuddling him, "The Duke," the smallest of the bunch stood up straighter and pushed his pole forward slightly, "and Pipsqueak." The last of the group was the gigantic guy that Keon had seen throw one of the soldiers into a tree. He took the log he was carrying and put it into some quiver-like contraption on his back.
Aang walked forward to the Duke and Pipsqueak.
Oh, no. He's not going to...
Oh, he did.
"Pipsqueak," he laughed, speaking to the tiny kid, "that's a funny name." The kid snorted up snot that was running out of his nose with an indifferent expression and nodded toward the bigger guy.
"You think my name is funny?" Pipsqueak growled in a voice the should've been too low for his vocal cords. Aang looked nervous for a moment before breaking out in a wide grin and looked up at the towering giant.
"It's hilarious!" he responded. Pipsqueak glowered at him. Then he started laughing.
Soon, all three of them were laughing so hard, Aang was clutching his stomach. Then Pipsqueak slapped him on the back. Aang fell face first into the dirt with a groan.
Katara glanced at Keon. "Did you see that coming?"
Keon smirked. "Yeah."
Soon, Jet's Freedom Fighter, as they called themselves, were taking everything that could be of any use to them in the Fire Nation army's crates and tents. The army had left quite a bounty of items behind, everything from weapons to food, stored in wooden boxes and wood barrels. Keon spotted a stack of crate that contained the same traps that had caught Momo and the two other animals. Then, there, next to them, she saw it. The hide of a large animal, maybe a monkey-cheetah, pulled taught by strings, freshly skinned. She could feel the rage of the Guardian boiling in her head. The Fire Nation had enough food already; some barrels were filled to the brim with dried strips of meat, fruit, and all sorts of grains, even candy, enough to supply a small village for years, yet they had to hunt innocent animals?
You should have sensed it. You should have know...
No. Your job is to protect Aang. You know it is. You couldn't have know they would do it.
But you should have.
Why are you even worried about this?
Because it was a living being. Was. They stripped it of it's right to live. They need to be punished. They need to be punished. They need to be...
"Shut up," Keon grumbled, hitting her head. When did she start arguing with herself?
"Huh?" Aang asked, his head shooting up to look at Keon. His expression showed deep concern. Keon could help but smile.
This little guy, her best friend, had the weight of the world on his shoulders, yet he still managed to be a kid. Everything about him was innocent. Keon just hope he wouldn't lose all of that to the Fire Nation. He needed it. They all needed it. A little bit of innocence.
"Not you, Aangy," she assured, rubbing his shoulder. "Just a stupid voice in my head." Aang concerned expression quickly morphed into one of giddiness. His wide grin was infectious.
"We'll take this stuff back to the hideout!" Keon suddenly heard. She spotted the Duke, Sneers, and Pipsqueak loading a large crate on wheels with all the thing they found.
"You guys have a hideout?" Aang asked with wide-eyed excitement, turning toward Jet with Momo sitting on his shoulder.
"You want to see it?" Jet asked, leaning against a large tree. The branches and leaves cast dark shadows over his face. They made his defined facial features seem menacing and dark. Keon was pretty she was the only one who saw him that way, as Katara was practically begging Jet to show them their hiding spot. Something was off about that guy.
But how could someone that radiated so many good morals and intentions set her off so much? It just didn't make any sense. Keon needed to find out what it was, before thing went out of hand. If they really ever were going to.
Oh, they were.
Jet had walked them into a cluster of trees. The leaves were all turning golden and red, signs of the beginning Autumn.
"We're here," Keo heard Jet announce.
"Where?" Sokka asked, gesturing with his hands. "There's nothing here."
Jet smirked, "Hold this." He held out a long rope with a loop tied at the end. The other end was tied somewhere up in the trees.
"Why?" Sokka asked cautiously, yet still grabbing hold of the rope, examining it dubiously. "What's this do?" Just as soon as he said that, the rope suddenly lurched upward into the trees, dragging Sokka, screaming, alone with it. Keon had to flinch in surprise. That wasn't expected.
"Aang?" Jet said, offering him a rope as well.
"I'll get up on my own," he told him. Momo followed after him as he airbent himself up the tree.
"Keon, Katara," Jet said, holding out on of his arms. The other one was gripping tightly to another rope. "Grab hold of me." Katara immediately walked forward and took his arm, but Keon didn't.
"No thanks," Keon shook her head. "I'll get up on my own."
"How?" Katara asked, curious. There was no other way up the tree other than the ropes. Unless you were Aang.
"Simple," Keon walked over to a rope and grabbed hold of it. "Use another rope." With a tug, she was pulled into the air, leaving behind surprised Freedom Fighters, an indifferent Katara, and a bewildered Jet. Keon could just imagine his expression.
Got ya.
"Wow."
That was the only thing Keon could say when she reached where the ropes ended.
Wow.
It was like the Ultimate Tree House/Lair of Tree House/Lairs.
It was a web of ropes and wood. Bridges connected platforms that circled around each tree within a half mile radius. Everything from a bathroom to a kitchen was built. Wood steps were nailed to the trees, allowing transportation from platforms on the same tree. It was a chaotic mess. A very well organized, humane, and civilized chaotic mess.
She might not have liked the Jet guys, but Keon had to admit, he had a sick hideout.
Still, cool stuff doesn't equal a cool person. In fact, the hideout just made her trust Jet less. Why in the world did he create such an elaborate hideout? It was like he was going to live here for the rest of his life with the Freedom Fighters. But, if the Fire Nation was causing as much grief as Jet had said, when would he have anytime to live here? Keon already knew he didn't get much sleep in a day; small bags were collecting under his eyes. It probably would have been much worse if it wasn't for the kafei bean he had been taking for more energy; Keon saw a large bundle on her way up that was being carried by another Freedom Fight. He most likely got no rest until after a successful raid. Why would someone put some much effort into something they'd never use?
Jet was planning something. Something bad. Keon knew it.
"Nice place you got!" Keon heard Aang yelled. He was swing down a rope that connected two of the trees with Momo. Katara and Jet had just made it up to the platform which Keon was standing on.
"Come on," Jet gestured with his hand toward the rest of the large tree house. Katara immediately followed him.
Keon hesitated, examining Jet. He glance at her, smiling. She could feel her expression morphing into a glare.
Was it just her, or did Jet smirk?
"It's beautiful up here!" Katara exclaimed, looking over the edge of the platform with him.
"It's beautiful," Jet agreed, "and more importantly, the Fire Nation can't find us."
"Great place," Keon said, still glaring slightly at Jet. "To hide."
"Of course," Jet replied, nonchalant. "No one would think to look this high up in the trees unless they knew." He looked over his shoulder at Keon, grinning innocently. "And we only tell people we trust."
"The Fire Nation would love to find you," Smellerbee jumped in, quite literally. "Wouldn't they, Jet?"
"It's not going to happen, Smellerbee," Jet smirked. Keon never thought she would ever hope for anyone to get captured by the Fire Nation...
Don't you dare think that! That's wrong.
Come on! Out of everyone, he deserves it!
No he doesn't. Nobody deserves living under the control of the Fire Nation. Not even Prince Zuko...
Why in the freaking world are you thinking of Prince Zuko?
"Hey, Keon."
Keon blinked and looked up. Katara was looking at her, mildly concerned.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
Keon swallowed, clearing her throat. "Yeah, fine." She looked over Katara's shoulder. Jet was standing there with a similar look of concern on his face, but his eyes flashed.
Keon knew he didn't trust her. Good; she didn't trust him either.
The sky was an inky dark blue when Katara, Keon, Aang, and Sokka joined the Freedom Fighters around a wooden table, covered with food. Many lanterns were lit across the trees. They all were eating and drinking, talking about anything and everything. The only ones who were silent were Sokka and Keon.
"Today," Jet exclaimed, moving to stand on top of the table, "we struck another blow against the Fire Nation swine." All the Freedom Fighters cheered, along with Katara and Aang. Sokka just sat with his arms crossed, while Keon just sat there, looking at Jet.
"I got a special joy from the look on one soldier's face," Jet continued, "when the Duke dropped down on his helmet and rode him like a wild hog monkey." The Duke, stood up and jumped on to the table as well, dancing around the platter of fish while everyone cheered even louder.
"Now," Jet smirked, "the Fire Nation thinks they don't have to worry about a couple of kids hiding in the trees." He picked up a wooden cup and proceeded to take a drink. "Maybe they're right." Everyone immediately started booing.
"Or maybe," Jet looked up from his cup. A cruel look past over his face, "they're dead wrong." Angry, read light glared off of his features from the lanterns. All the Freedom Fighters began to cheer once again.
After the commotion died down, Jet walked over to their side of the table.
"Hey, Jet," Katara greeted as he jumped off the table and sat down between Sokka and her. "Nice speech."
"Thanks," he replied, propping himself up with his arm that wasn't holding on to the wooden cup.
"By the way," he continued, "I was really impressed with you and Aang. That was some great bending I saw out there today."
Katara flushed, "Well, he's great," she nodded toward Aang." He's the Avatar. I could use some more training." She blushed.
"Avatar, huh?" Jet said. "Very nice." Keon thought that the way he was using the word 'nice' would make you at least a little cautious around the guy, but Katara and Aang showed no such feelings.
"Thanks, Jet," Aang grinned.
"And Keon," Jet smiled at her. She looked up from the table when she heard her name and looked at Jet. Keon could feel her eyebrows starting to furrow into a glare.
"That was some fighting," Jet praised, raising his cup slightly.
"Thanks," Keon said hesitantly. Both Katara and Aang looked at her in slight confusion. They didn't get why Keon was giving him the cold shoulder.
"Where did you learn all that?" Jet asked innocently.
"From around," Keon said, not saying anything else. Jet smiled at her. Keon could see the hidden glare.
"So," Jet turned his attention back to Katara and Aang, "I might know a way that you and Aang can help in our struggle."
Sokka shot up.
"Unfortunately," he snapped, "we have to leave tonight." He stood up from his crouched position and proceeded to walk away.
"He's right," Keon agreed, standing up as well. "We can't afford to stay in one place for too long."
"But Sokka, Keon!" Jet exclaimed. "You guy are kidding me. I need you two on an important mission tomorrow." That caught Sokka's attention. He froze and looked over his shoulder.
"What mission?" he asked cautiously. Jet just smiled.
"Something that includes the two of you," he just said.
"If you're not going to tell us what we're going to do," Keon argued, "I'm not going to help you."
"Keon!" Katara exclaimed, glaring at her. "Don't be rude." She turned back to look at Jet. "I'm so sorry. She's not usually like this."
"It's okay," Jet said, nodding. "She doesn't have to help if she doesn't want to, but she could speed up the process of ridding the village of the Fire Nation."
Aang looked up at Keon.
"You do want to get rid of the Fire Nation army, right?" he asked, wide-eyed. Crap. Jet was manipulating Aang to pull the little brother charm on her. God, that bastard. She had two choices: either not to help Jet and have Aang believe that she didn't care what would happen to the Earth Kingdom village or help Jet and go against her gut instincts.
Jet smirked. He knew he had her in a pinch.
"Fine," Keon snapped at Jet. "I'll help you."
"Great!" Aang cheered.
"Yep," Jet said, grinning. "Real great."
God, Keon hoped she didn't make a mistake.
Everyone had gone to bed by the time all the food was polished off of the plates. Less than twenty minutes later, the whole hideout was snoring. Except Keon.
The four of them were given a large room to share. Both Aang and Katara were sleeping soundly in their sleeping bags. Sokka was strangely quite, considered he usually sounded like a hog-monkey snorting when he slept, but Keon didn't think much of it. She already had too much on her mind.
Sleep wasn't coming easy for her. For the past hundred years, Keon had grown accustomed to falling asleep with the weight of guilt-ridden thoughts. Now, in this large tree house, she didn't understand why she couldn't sleep. It wasn't the sleeping bag; Keon had slept in far worse places. It wasn't the fact that Aang was snoring like thunder; his normally annoying habits were welcomed, as Keon had spent that century in the Air Temple alone and worried until she had found Momo and learned to understand most aspects of her connection with Aang. No, it were the dreams she had been having for the past week. They were all about that stubborn, idiotic, no good, mush-brained, horrible, stupid Crown Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation.
Oh spirits, someone kill her now.
Keon couldn't understand why in the freaking world, out of all the people she could be thinking about, worried about, even concerned about, it had to be the one of the people after her best friend. How twisted could this get? More importantly, why in the world was she so worried about anyone other than Aang, Katara, Sokka, Appa, and Momo?
Because he's important. He needs you.
No, he doesn't. What does that even mean?
You know.
No, I don't.
You do.
Man, even her own thoughts were against her. When did she start arguing with herself?
Crouching on a tree branch with Sokka, Keon held in a yawn. Last night she couldn't fall asleep until the sun was already slowly rising, and by then, half of the hideout were awake. She was pretty sure large, purple bags were developing under her eyes, if they weren't already there. Oh, well.
Next to her, Sokka had driven his knife into the trunk of the tree.
"What are you doing?" Jet asked from the branch below them.
"Shh," Sokka whispered, "it amplifies vibrations."
Jet looked impressed. "Good trick."
Sokka cupped his hands around the handle of his knife and put his ear next to them.
"Nothing yet," he told them. "Wait, yes! Someone's approaching."
"How many?" Jet asked in a low voice.
"I think there's just one," Sokka replied. Jet whistled toward Smellerbee and Pipsqueak.
"Good work, Sokka," Jet praised. "Sokka, ready your weapons. Keon, be prepared." Keon nodded, sighing silently.
Let's get this over with.
The three of them stood as still as they could in the trees, waiting for a possible attacker. A few moments later, an stooped old man wobbled into view, leaning on a cane for support. He was dress in a simple, red robe. Keon relaxed.
"Wait," Sokka said in a low voice, having the same idea as her. "False alarm. He's just an old man."
Jet didn't listen. He drew his hooked swords and leaped off of the tree.
"Hey, Jet!" Keon yelled. "Stop!"
Jet ignored her and landed in front of the old man, nearly shocking him to the bone.
"What are you doing in our woods, you leach?" Jet sneered.
The old man's eyes widened fearfully. "Please sir, I'm just a traveler." Jet lunged forward and swiped one of his swords, slashing the man's cane out of his hand. Keon couldn't take it anymore.
"Hey!" she yelled, jumping from the tree branch. "What are you doing?" She ran toward Jet, who was holding a sword out at the old man. The old man whimpered and spun around to try and run the other direction, but stumbled into Pipsqueak and fell backwards onto his back. The giant guy loomed over him as he tried to crawl away and pinned him down with a foot.
"Do you like destroying towns?" Jet yelled at the old man. "Do you like destroying families? Do you?"
"Oh, please!" the old man pleaded, frightened beyond measure. "Let me go... Have mercy..."
"Jet, let him go now!" Keon yelled, trying to get between him and the old man. "Pipsqueak, you're going to hurt him!" Neither of them listened to her.
"Does the Fire Nation let people go?" Jet continued to yell threateningly, completely ignoring Keon as she stood in next to him. "Does the Fire Nation have mercy?" He aimed a kick at the old man, who cowered.
"No!" Keon yelled, moving to stop the kick, but Sokka beat her to it. He had used his club to stop his foot.
"Jet," Sokka said. "He's just an old man!" Jet kicked foot loose and turned to face Sokka.
"He's Fire Nation!" Jet scowled as if that fact alone justified everything he was doing. "Have you forgotten that the Fire Nation killed your mother? Remember why you fight!"
"Search him!" he ordered Pipsqueak and Smellerbee.
"Stop!" Keon yelled as Pipsqueak attempted to pick the man off the ground. Keon dashed forward and kicked Pipsqueak in the shin, causing him to groan, but didn't loosen his grip on the man. Smellerbee came up behind her and grabbed her arms, but immediately crouched and bent forward, flipping him over on to his back.
Just as fast as that happened, Keon suddenly felt a sharp jab on her back. Crying out in surprise and pain, she fell forward.
"Enough!" Jet yelled, straightening up out of his lunging position as Keon slowly picked herself off of the ground.
"I've got his stuff, Jet," Pipsqueak announced, holding up the old man's satchel with one hand and holding the man himself with the other..
"Jet!" Sokka yelled, getting his attention once more. "This doesn't feel right!"
"It isn't right," Keon groaned, standing up and heaving a deep breath. "It's sick."
"It's what has to be done," Jet argued, "now let's get outta here." He shoved passed Sokka and began to walk back to the hideout with Smellerbee and Pipsqueak following after him, leaving Sokka and Keon behind with the old man. Sokka was looking down at him, debating whether to go with Jet or stay. Keon helped him make the decision.
"Go," she told Sokka. "Check on Katara and Aang." Sokka looked at her and nodded before running after Jet.
Keon turned back around to face the old man. He was on his knees, looking up at her with frightened eyes. Keon crouched down so the two of them were eye level.
"I'm so sorry," she said sincerely. "I didn't know what they were going to do." The man didn't say anything, but his face was slowly relaxing.
"Here," Keon stood up slightly and held out an arm. "Let me help you." The old man glanced at the arm cautiously before taking it.
Slowly, Keon straightened up, bring the man up with her.
"Thank you," the old man said weakly after she had straightened up completely. He was still leaning on her, as he couldn't
"No need," Keon smiled. "Come, let's find you something to use as a cane."
A few minutes later, they came across a small branch that had fallen from on of the tree, sturdy enough to support the old man's weight.
"Can you make it back to where you came from?" Keon asked as she help the man find balance with the makeshift cane.
"Yes, I hadn't gone very far," the old man assured, looking up at Keon. "Thank you very much, young lady."
"You're very welcome," Keon said.
The old man smiled. "There's something I must give you."
Keon felt her eyes widen. "Oh, no. You don't need to give me anything."
"Yes I do," the man said. He reached into her robes and pulled out something Pipsqueak had obviously missed. It was a necklace. The chain was simple; a dull silver, linked chain large enough to fit over Keon's head. It was the stone charm hanging off of the necklace that intrigued her the most.
It was a clear stone shaped like flat teardrop. Crystallized structures inside the stone reflected light in all direction, causing it to give off a strangle glow, almost as if the stone had a life of it's own. Something about it was strangle familiar, but Keon couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was. Recently, that was a frequently recurring feeling.
"I can't take it," Keon shook her head.
"You must," the old man said, gently grabbing hold of her hand and opening her palm, placing the necklace in it, then closing her fingers around it. Keon relished the feeling of the cold, smooth stone.
"But I don't want to take anything of your's," Keon argued.
The old man shook his head. "It was never mine." When Keon glanced at him quizzically, he proceeded to exclaimed.
"A long time ago, my father was told keep it safe for someone until he came to take it back, but he never came. He passed it down to me before he died and told me to give it to the one person I meet with the strongest will and kindest heart. I've been holding it my entire life, waiting to find the right person. My search has come to an end today." He squeezed the hand holding the necklace gently.
Keon furrowed her eyebrows. "But you've just met me. How are you so sure it's me?"
The old man laughed. "When you've lived as long as I have and met thousands of people, it's easier to judge character."
Keon smiled. "Thank you."
The man shook his head. "No, thank you."
After that, he started off again, walking back down were he came from. Keon just stood there in the middle of the road, watching him walk off, the necklace still clutched in her fist.
When Keon got back to the hideout, she saw that Katara and Aang were no where to be found, and Sokka was packing all his things.
"What happened?" Keon asked. "Where are Aang and Katara?" Sokka scowled and shoved an extra shirt into his bag.
"Jet's fooled them," he growled. "He faked a story about how there was a knife hidden in that old man's cane with poison. They think I'm just trying to get him on her bad side 'cause he's a better leader than me."
"Well, he is," Keon noted. Sokka glowered at her.
"But that's not the point," Keon quickly said, before sighing and sitting down in front of the fuming Sokka, who looked up from his pack at the girl. His features slowly relaxed and he huffed, setting down the makeshift pillow he had in his hand.
"He's planning something," Sokka said softly, but not without the hard edge to his voice.
"I know," Keon told him. "I've known for a while now."
"It can't be anything good," Sokka mumbled, looking up at her.
"Definitely not."
"Can we stop it?"
"If we can find out what it is? Sure."
Sokka was silent.
"We're going to have to stay here, you know?"
"Yeah. I know."
"Jet's going to use Aang and Katara like he did with us."
"Yeah, except he's going to be more careful. We were his mistake."
"What do you say we come back to haunt him?"
Sokka finally smirked.
"Great idea."
That night, when both Katara and Aang were snoring in their respective sleeping bags, Sokka and Keon sneaked out of the small hut. It most likely was well past midnight, but apparently that didn't affect the Freedom Fighters, as they were all awake and sneaking away from their hideout.
"Come one," Sokka whispered to Keon after he spotted them walking on the ground, towing a large, wooden wagon quietly along with them. The two of them followed, softly swing down the ropes and stealthily tiptoeing after them.
When the gang stopped, Jet had led them to a hill looking over a man-made dam. To the right stood a small village -the Earth Kingdom village Jet had been talking about that was over run with Fire Nation troops. To the left of the dam was a reservoir low with water.
Jet had walked up to the edge of the hill, looking out across the valley, before turning around to face his crew and the wooden wagon. Sokka and Keon hid behind a bush, eavesdropping on the conversation.
"Now listen," Jet said in a strong voice, "you are not to blow the dam until I give the signal. If the reservoir isn't full, the Fire Nation troops could survive." Keon could feel Sokka stiffen next to her. She herself felt her right hand twitch. It was the same hand she had almost broke when she punched that wall in Haru's mother's shop. Oh, how she wished she could deliever the same courtesy to Jet's face. Blowing the dam! Didn't he know there were people living in that village? And the reservoir wasn't even halfway filled. How in the world was he going to...
Oh. Oh, no.
Katara. Aang
" But what about the people in the town," the Duke asked, jumping off of the wagon, "won't they get wiped out too?"
"Look Duke, that's the price of ridding this area of the Fire Nation." Apparently he did know. He just didn't give a damn about it.
Jet then turned to Longshot. "Now don't blow the dam until I give the signal, got it?" Longshot nodded.
Sokka and Keon glanced at each other, both incredulous. What in the world was Jet thinking...
There was a flash of sliver and suddenly, two knifes were at their throats. Keon felt someone yank at her hair, pulling her up. It took almost all her will power to not cry out.
"Where do you think you two are going?" Smellerbee hissed.
Smellerbee and Pipsqueak had dragged them both out of the bushes and in front of Jet, much to their displeasure.
"Sokka, Keon," Jet said, smirking. "I'm glad the two of you have decided to join us." Their two captors then shoved them to their knees.
"Watch it," Keon growled, but she couldn't do much else, as Smellerbe tugged on her hair, causing her to grit her teeth.
"We heard your plan to destroy the Earth Kingdom town," Sokka told him with a steady voice.
"Our plan," Jet corrected him, "is to rid the valley of the Fire Nation."
"Your plan," Keon snapped, "is a mass murder."
"There are people living there Jet," Sokka tried to get him to see sense. "Mothers and fathers and children."
"We can't win without making some sacrifices."
Keon glowered. "This is an unnecessary sacrifice. You're not helping anyone by doing this. Not even yourself."
"You lied to Aang and Katara about the forest fire," Sokka yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Jet.
"Because they don't understand the demands of war,"Jet said calmly. "Not like you and I do."
"I do understand," Sokka glared at the deranged teenage boy. "I understand that there's nothing you won't do to get what you want."
Jet sighed. "I was hoping you'd have an open mind, but I can see you've made your choice." Behind her, Pipsqueak grabbed for Sokka as Jet drew his swords, trapping Sokka's hand in between them.
"I can't let you warn Katara and Aang," he said, before putting down his swords. Sokka's arm was quickly pinned behind his back. "Take him for a walk. A long walk.
"You can't do this!" Sokka yelled as he struggled against Pipsqueak and Smellerbee's hold on him.
"Cheer up, Sokka," Jet smiled. "We're gonna win a great victory against the Fire Nation today." He glanced at Keon.
"Keon," he said. "what about you?"
Keon could only glare at him. How could a teenage boy be so corrupted that he wouldn't blink an eye at the prospect of an entire town being killed.
"Go to hell," she spat.
"I guess you're going with Sokka then," Jet said. How could he be so calm? Keon felt Pipsqueak grabbing hold of both her forearms, before pinning them behind her back, leading her back into the woods with Sokka held by Smellerbee. They looked at each other, both fuming.
How were they gonna get out of this?
"Come on!" Smellerbee commanded, shoving Sokka forward. Pipsqueak did the same to Keon. "Move along!"
"How can you stand by and do nothing," Sokka asked, bewildered, "while Jet wipes out a whole town?"
"Do you two even care that he's killing innocent people?" Keon questioned, before stumbling forward. Pipsqueak had shoved her in the back. She was glad her hands were lower. Pipsqueak didn't seem to realize that the knot of rope that held her hands together was slowly loosening.
"Hey, listen Sokka, Keon," Smellerbee snapped, "Jet's a great leader. We follow what he says and thing always turn out okay."
"So you don't think for yourselves?" Keon asked.
"Of course we do," Pipsqueak growled. "We choose to follow Jet's order." Keon couldn't help but groan inwardly.
Keon saw Sokka's eyes flicker at her. Looking up, she saw his eyes glance forward. As she did the same, Keon spotted two piles of leaves, each one with a pile of leechee nuts on top. Keon could practically feel Sokka smirking behind her. They glanced at each other, both agreeing silently.
"If that's how Jet leads," Sokka baited, "then he's got a lot to learn." Simultaneously, Sokka and Keon sprinted off in the direction of the snares.
"Hey!" Smellerbee yelled after making a grab at Sokka but not succeeding. He and Pipsqueak ran after them.
Sokka and Keon nimbly leaped over the snare, avoiding the traps. Their captors weren't so lucky. Pipsqueak got caught in the first one, and it wasn't long after that when Smellerbee looked over the second one, getting trapped as well.
"While you two are up there," Sokka teased, holding up his rope with his now untied hands, "you might want to practice your knot-work."
"Okay, okay," Keon said, dropping her own rope as well, "now that you've got that out of your system, how are we going to stop Jet from blowing the dam?"
"I have an idea," Sokka assured. "But it doesn't include stopping Jet from blowing the dam."
Keon looked at him, confused. "Then how?"
"Come on, hurry!" Sokka yelled urgently. "We have to get there before the resovior is full!"
"I'm running as fast as I can!" Keon replied, glancing up, before pointing forward. "Look, there it is!" As fast as they possibly could, Sokka and Keon ran straight into the Earth Kingdom town.
"Hey!" Sokka yelled to the people. It must have been a market day, since so many merchant stands were set up around the edges of the road. "You all have to get out of here! The dam is going to blow!"
Keon looked around. Nobody was listening.
"Hey!" she screamed as loud as she could. That got some attention.
"Didn't you hear the boy?" she said as loud as she possibly could. "The dam's gonna blow! A few minutes from now, your entire town will be drowned in water! You all have to evacuate!"
"The dam's been standing strong for nearly a hundred years, little girl," a buff man said to her as if she were five years old. "It's not going to break."
"The resovior isn't full anyway," a woman added. "Even if the dam were to blow, there wouldn't be much damage."
"But the resovior is full!" Sokka yelled, desperately. "And all of you are going to drown if we don't get out of here!"
"That's impossible." A Fire Nation soldier was walking forward, glaring at Keon and Sokka. "Don't listen to these two. They're probably waiting for us to leave so they can steal everything from us."
"No, we're not," Keon growled. "So stop being so stubborn and save your lives!"
"Listen to her." Keon spun around at the familiar voice.
The old man from the woods hobbled forward. He was dress in a clean set of robes and carried a new bag, but his can was still the same tree branch the two of them had found in the forest. He looked up at Keon and smiled, before turning to face the giant crowd of interest that had gathered around them.
"Listen to the boy and the girl," he announced in a hoarse, but strong voice. "They were the ones who saved me in the forest. If they say that the dam will break soon and that the resovior is indeed full, I trust their word. You all should too."
"But what if they're lying?" a man in the crowd asked, glancing suspiciously at Sokka and Keon.
"Then you can stay here," the old man said. "And when the wave of water comes through, you'll have no where to go." The man went silent. Nobody was willing to risk their live to prove them wrong. Thank spirits.
"Soldier," the old man turned to the Fire Nation soldier. "May I lead these people to safety?"
The soldier seemed conflicted for a moment, deciding between losing all their supplies and killing dozens of people and losing all their supplies.
"Fine," the soldier growled. "Go."
"Thank you," the old man nodded his head. "Come, let's all find a higher ground!"
Keon and Sokka glanced at each other and smiled. They did it!
"Thank you," Keon said to the old man as he passed her. He looked over his shoulder.
"No need to thank me," he said. Keon could have sworn he winked at her before facing forward once again and walking with the crowd.
"Look!" Keon yelled, pointing over to the cliff where they had overheard Jet's plan. "Over there!" She and Sokka were on Appa, searching for Katara and Aang. They had spotted them, with Jet iced to a tree.
"This was a victory, Katara," Keon heard Jet say as they flew closer. None of the three seemed to notice them. "Remember that. The Fire Nation is gone and this valley will be safe."
"It will be safe," Sokka announced, "without you." All three of them looked up -Jet shock, Katara and Aang surprised and happy.
"Sokka!" Katara exclaimed.
"Keo!" Aang cheered.
"We warned the villagers of your plan," Sokka told Jet.
"Just in time," Keon nodded, smiling.
"What!"Jet yelled.
"At first they didn't believe us," Sokka said, recounting the events. "The Fire Nation soldiers assumed we were spies. But one man vouched for us -the old man you attacked. He urged them to trust us, and we got everyone out in time."
"They all got to higher ground," Keon added from behind Sokka. "And nobody was killed by the dam you blew."
"You fools!" Jet yelled, fuming. "We could've freed this valley!"
"Who would be free?" Sokka asked. "Everyone would be dead."
"You traitor!" Jet growl. "You're all traitors!"
"You're the only traitor here, Jet," Keon told him. "You became the traitor when you stopped protecting the innocent and started caring only for yourself."
Jet turned to Katara.
"Katara," he pleaded. "Please. Help me."
Katara turned away from him. "Good-bye, Jet." With that, she and Aang climbed on to Appa's back. Keon joined them in the saddle.
"Yip yip," Sokka said to Appa, flicking the reigns. Soon, they were soaring through the air, leaving behind Jet, still frozen to the tree.
"We thought you two were going to the dam," Aang admitted once they were well in the sky. "How come you two went to the town instead?"
"It was actually Sokka's idea," Keon told them.
"Let me guess," Katara teased. "Your instincts told you."
"Hey," Sokka shrugged, smiling smugly. "Sometimes they're right."
"Um, Sokka?" Aang said. "You know we're going the wrong way, right?" Sokka stiffened for a second in surprise, before recovering.
"And sometimes they're wrong," he grinned, accepting his mishap as he tugged on Appa's reigns, turning him toward the opposite direction.
"We're still going the wrong way," Keon noted.
"Oh." Sokka tugged Appa to the right.
"We still are."
"What?"
"Kidding."
Hello, peps!
I am finally off hiatus!
Sorry, finals were a pain.
I hope I can make it up the you guys. This chapter is extra long. More than 8,000 words! Yeah! Hopefully I can finish this story by the end of this year, or by March next year. If you looked at my profile, you probably already know I've got the plot of the second book down, and the title. Unless you saw the spoiler alert and immediately turned away. I might need to take that down.
Buckbeak3798: Hope you enjoyed this extra long one!
Chronostar: There's a bit of foreshadowing in this chapter and a few hints. Unless you hate spoilers, go to my profile and read the upcoming stories section. The sequel to The Lost Prophecy is Mended and Burned. I also have a slight summery on it if you want to read it. Book two is definitely going to reveal a lot, so look forward to it!
TreebuttonDemigod: Keon is 13 years old, but she will be turning 14 soon. I don't know the exact day of her birthday yet, but you can be sure I'll reveal it later in the story. Thanks for reading!
Random Guest: Here's the update you were waiting for!
Review, Fav, and Follow!