In a deciduous forest with trees covered in red and orange leaves a little yellow beetle scuttles from around a branch and towards the tree trunk and the beetle was then covered in a big shadow revealing to be Momo who swoops in to catch the beetle but the beetle opens its carapace and flies off before Momo could even touch it as he lands on the ground and Happy arrives at his side.
"That beetle's getting away, Momo! After it!" Happy said and Momo leaps after the beetle and Happy follows him.
The beetle flies up the tree trunk while Momo and Happy climb after it and they ring the tree until they fly down and when the beetle lands on the ground both Momo and Happy land in a pounce at it but the beetle flies off again before the two even caught it.
"Shoot! Oh, well. C'mon, Momo. Let's find something else." Happy said but he sees Momo looking at something. "What is it?" Happy asked as he looks at what Momo is looking at and it's a neat pile of what looks like apple-like nuts sitting on a pile of leaves. "Looks like we hit the jackpot, Momo!" Happy said and Momo chitters is response.
The two pounce at the fruit pile but then copper colored slats snap up from the leaves and surround the two in a sphere and the slats start running up by a pole that's paralleled to the ground until the sphere shifts so that the pole is on top and the snare sphere that Momo and Happy are still in are sprung into the air where other two snare spheres are hanging and Momo's and Happy's snare sphere stop at the same level of the two other snare spheres which are holding two hog-monkeys that are making loud noises.
"Aw, man! This is bad, Momo! Why didn't we realize this was a trap?" Happy asked and Momo chitters sadly.
Meanwhile Aang, Lucy, Katara, Sokka, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy, and Carla are sitting in a different clearing in the forest taking a break from travel.
"Has anyone seen Momo?" Aang asked.
"Yeah and where's Happy?" Natsu asked and then they hear a loud voice.
"HEEEEEEEEEEELP!" A voice shouted echoing through the forest.
"That sounded like Happy." Lucy said.
"Let's go see what kind of trouble that cat has gotten himself into this time." Gray said.
The gang follow Happy's cry for help and they arrive at the other clearing looking from the ground level and they see the three snares above them.
"Guys! HELP!" Happy cried.
"Happy, why do you do stuff like this?" Carla asked.
"We're sorry. Please get us down!" Happy said and Momo chitters.
"Hang on, you two!" Aang said as he leaps up climbing to Momo and Happy by rebounding up nearby tree trunks.
Aang goes up to a branch, sits down, and then flips over the branch dangling beneath it and he finds a rope entering a small winch from lower on the tree trunk and so Aang grabs the rope, releases a latch on the winch, and carefully feeds it more line making Momo's and Happy's snare go down to the others who are still on the ground and help ease the snare down to the ground between them and together they pull the slats apart for an exit allowing Momo and Happy to escape easily.
"Thanks, guys! I thought we'd hanging around forever." Happy said as he and Momo finish eating the fruit nuts while the gang release the snare.
Aang jumps down to the others but then he looks up to see the two other snares that are still holding the hog-monkeys on a different branch.
"Okay. You guys too." Aang said.
"I'll handle this." Erza said. "Requip: Heaven's Wheel Armor!" Erza said as she enters Heaven's Wheel Armor and she uses her multiple swords to cut the ropes making the snares fall to the ground causing the snares to be opened allowing the hog-monkeys to escape.
"That worked." Aang said as Erza reverts back and Sokka approaches one of the busted snares and examines it.
"Fire Nation. You can tell by the metal work." Sokka said.
"We should pack up camp and get out of here." Lucy said.
They return to their camp and Sokka packs his stuff up while Katara passes the other gear to Aang who is on Appa's head and Sokka sees this.
"Uh-uh. No flying this time." Sokka said.
"What?" Wendy asked.
"Why wouldn't we fly?" Natsu asked.
"Think about it. Somehow Prince Zuko and the Fire Nation keep finding us. It's because they see Appa. He's too noticeable." Sokka said.
"What? Appa is not noticeable." Katara said.
"He's a gigantic fluffy monster with an arrow on his head. It's kinda hard to miss him." Sokka said and Appa groans.
"Sokka's just jealous because doesn't have an arrow." Aang said.
"Nah. He's just not special." Happy said.
"Look, I know you all want to fly, but my instincts tell me we should play it safe and walk this time." Sokka said.
"Who made YOU the boss?" Natsu asked.
"I'm not the boss. I'm the leader." Sokka said making Lucy and Katara laugh.
"YOU? The leader? Your voice still cracks." Katara said.
"I'm the oldest and I'm the warrior so I'm the leader." Sokka said.
"YOU'RE not older than US, kid. WE are." Gray said crossing his arms addressing himself, Lucy, Natsu, and Erza.
"Okay. You, Natsu, Lucy, and Erza are older, but I'm still leader." Sokka said.
"In your dreams. If anyone is the leader, it should be Aang. I mean he's the Avatar." Katara said.
"Or Lucy. She's the Celestial Mage of the prophecy." Happy said.
"Are you kidding? Aang's just a goofy kid!" Sokka said.
"You know, Sokka. I may be goofy sometimes, but that wasn't really called for." Aang said a little offended.
"And why can't I be leader?" Lucy asked.
"Because you're not a warrior." Sokka answered.
"That's a stupid reason." Gray said.
"Enough, if anyone should be considered leader, it's me." Ray interrupted their discussion.
"And what makes you think you're leader?" Sokka asked incredulously.
"Remember what I said when we first met each other back at the Southern Water Tribe. I told you I was born long before Sozin started the hundred year war. Well, it's true. I'm 10,000 years old." He explained.
The others gasped in shock.
"But how is that even possible?"
"I honestly can't recall. It's been so long since I acquired my immortality."
"I swear why do boys always think someone has to be the leader? I bet you wouldn't even be bossy if you kissed a girl." Katara said.
"I kissed a girl. You just haven't met her." Sokka said.
"Who? Gran Gran? I've met Gran Gran." Katara said.
"Or maybe it's that..." Lucy was cut off by Sokka.
"Don't say anything. I've kissed a female besides Gran Gran." Sokka said.
"You know what, let's have a vote. Anyone in favor that Ray leads the group say aye."
"Aye!" Aang said raising his hand.
"Aye!" Katara said raising her hand.
"Aye!" Natsu said raising his hand.
"Aye!" Happy said raising his hand.
"Aye!" Gray said raising his hand.
"Aye!" Wendy said raising her hand.
"Aye!" Carla said raising her hand.
"And anyone in favor that Sokka should be leader, say 'aye'!" Lucy said and no one raised their hand.
"Sometimes, I really hate you guys." Sokka said.
"You're just mad because you're not the leader." Natsu said.
"Okay, fine. Ray's the leader, but I still say we should go on foot because I trust my instincts." Sokka said.
"Fine. We'll go for your way...for today. After that, you'll keep your mouth shut." Lucy said.
"Fine." Sokka said.
"Who knows? Walking might be fun." Aang said who is now wearing a backpack.
The gang are walking through the forest with Sokka and Erza in front while Aang, Lucy, Katara, Natsu, Gray, and Wendy follow them.
"Think walking's fun now?" Gray asked.
"Walking STINKS! How do people get around without a flying bison?" Aang asked.
"Well, Natsu, Gray, Erza, and I take a train whenever we go on jobs." Lucy said.
"Yeah, but Flamebrain still suffers from motion sickness." Gray said.
"Shut up. I'd rather ride on Appa than take a train." Natsu said.
"How long until we get out of this forest?" Wendy asked.
"I don't know, Wendy. Why don't you ask Sokka's instincts? They seem to know everything." Katara said.
"Very funny." Sokka said sarcastically.
"I'm so tired of carrying this pack." Natsu said.
"I know who you should ask to carry it for you. Sokka's instincts." Katara said.
"Great idea! Hey, Sokka's instincts, would you mind..." Natsu was cut off.
"Quiet, all of you." Ray ordered.
"Look, guys, I'm tired too, but the important thing is that we're safe from..." Sokka cuts himself off as he opens the bushes in front of him and then turns to see what's behind the bushes. "...the Fire...Nation." Sokka finished talking.
The gang are now in a clearing that has Fire Nation encampment and Fire Nation soldiers turn to look at the gang with hatred.
"Any ideas now, Sokka?" Lucy asked.
"I've got one. RUN!" Sokka said but the Fire soldiers bend flames at them but they dodge and the flames block their path.
"Great. Now we're cut off." Gray said and he notices something on Sokka's left sleeve. "Also, Sokka, your sleeve's on fire." Gray said and Sokka notices.
"Ahh!" Sokka screams in panic.
"Not mention, Gray, your clothes are off." Aang said and Gray notices he's in his boxers again.
"AHH!" Gray screams in panic as well.
Katara bends water from a pouch on her side and uses the water to get rid of the fire on Sokka's sleeve and Katara bends the water back into the container but the gang are surrounded by Fire soldiers with weapons in their hands while fire is still burning behind them and the gang get ready to fight.
"Natsu, see if you can eat the fire behind us." Lucy said softly.
"Hey, yeah! Good call, Luce." Natsu said as he starts to eat the fire.
"If you let us pass, we won't hurt you." Sokka said but Lucy and Erza punch him.
"What's wrong with you?" Erza asked.
"What are you doing?" Lucy asked.
"Bluffing..." Sokka said.
"Good call, genius." Gray said and one of Fire soldiers with an eye patch laughs.
"YOU won't hurt US?" The one-eyed Fire soldier scoffed but then he groans and falls to the ground.
"Good work, Sokka. How'd you do that?" Happy asked.
"Uh, instinct?" Sokka answered unsure.
"Look!" Wendy said pointing up at a branch of a nearby tree.
A figure which turns out to be a teenage boy is standing on the branch and draws two hook shaped blades and instead of falling from the branch he uses the hook blades to grab onto the branch and slings himself to the camp and then he lands two Fire soldiers on their backs sending them to the ground but another pair of soldiers charge at the teenage boy but he rushes forward with his hook blades in each hand and uses them to hook their legs each sending them to the air while the teenage boy does a back flip and they land on the one-eyed soldier and the teenage boy lands on them.
"Down you go." The teenage boy said and the gang look at him and Katara looks impressed while Lucy gives an unsure look while the others watch in awe except for Sokka.
Another soldier rushes at the teenage boy ready to slash with his sword but the teenage boy hooks his opponent's sword hand and spins and the teenage boy finishes the job and is ready to face another opponent and they prepare to attack but then a soldier looks up.
"There! In the tree!" The soldier said and just then a small boy jumps down and lands on the soldier while spinning his helmet blinding the soldier making him stagger and the small boy laughs.
The three soldiers then start to make their move but then arrows flying to soldiers and disarm the weapons and they see someone on a branch reaching for two arrows and he shoots them while hanging upside down and the arrows disarm the other two soldiers allowing another person to leap from a low branch to the ground scaring the two soldiers away but a swordsman charges at the person but the person ducks and lets the swordsman run into his back and tosses the opponent up onto a branch but the second swordsman attacks with more caution but the person grabs him, spins him around, and then throws him and goes off to face another opponent while another person with a knife joins the fight and attacks.
While the teenage boy is still fighting against other soldiers he watches as the gang are joining the fray and Aang Airbends while Katara Waterbends while Lucy summons Chou and together they fight with Lucy's hand-to-hand combat and Chou's brute strength while Natsu multi punches and delivers a kick while Gray attacks with his Ice Sword and then uses Ice Make: Cannon and shoots ice while Erza fights with her sword and delivers powerful punches knocking five soldiers down while Wendy uses her Sky Magic while Happy and Carla also join the fight and attack the soldiers.
Sokka readies his boomerang while making a battle cry and a soldier charges at Sokka but before Sokka did anything the teenage boy shows up and and uses his hook blades to pole vault him in the chest knocking the soldier away and Sokka groans.
"Hey! He was mine!" Sokka said.
"Gotta be quicker next time." The teenage boy replied as he goes off to find another opponent.
Two soldiers run but then a massive person gets in their way shocking the soldiers and the big guy towers over them but the two soldiers recover their expressions and get ready to fight but the giant takes out a log and attacks with it bending their swords and so they back off and run again and while the teenage boy watched the whole thing a spearman attacks the teenage boy but he quickly blocks the attack with his hook blades and the two struggle until the teenage boy spins and sidesteps the spear with one hook blade free and he hooks the spearman and sends him flying off along with his spear with its end striking another soldier which turned out to be Sokka's opponent and groans again.
"Aw, man!" Sokka whined.
Another spearman attacks the teenage boy but he catches the spearpoint with his hook blade and redirects it away from him taking the soldier with it pushing it free but the soldier recovers his stance and the teenage boy does the same and he catches the speartip with his hook blade and angles the spear to the ground and then he runs up to it, leaps,, and kicks off the back of the soldier's helmet stumbling a few steps forward before stopping in front of Katara and Lucy.
"Hey." The teenage boy said.
"Hi." Katara said while Lucy just didn't say anything and they three of them look at the encampment now empty.
"You just took down a whole army almost single-handed!" Aang said.
"Army? There were only like twenty guys." Sokka said.
"Jealous are we?" Happy asked.
"Shut it!" Sokka said.
"My name's Jet and these are my Freedom Fighters. Sneers, Longshot, Smellerbee, The Duke, and Pipsqueak." Jet introduced himself and his Freedom Fighters.
"Pipsqueak, huh? That's a funny name." Natsu said chuckling and walking over to the small boy who turns out to be The Duke.
"You think my name is funny?" The giant asked who turns out to be Pipsqueak making Natsu a little nervous.
"It's hilarious!" Natsu said and Pipsqueak starts laughing along with The Duke and Natsu joins the laughter and then Pipsqueak slaps Natsu on the back knocking him down to the ground face first making The Duke stop laughing but Natsu laughs again with Pipsqueak.
Everyone is still at the Fire Nation camp and the members of Jet's gang are checking for weapons or supply crates while Jet is reclining against a tree trunk and Katara approaches him.
"Uh, Jet, thanks for saving us. We were lucky you were here." Katara said.
"Actually, I should be thanking you. We were waiting to ambush those soldiers all morning. Just needed the right distraction and then you guys stumbled in." Jet said.
"We were just relying on instincts. That's all." Wendy said.
"You'll get yourself killed doing that." Jet said and unknowing to them Sokka heard the conversation and he closes his eyes in frustration and walks away.
Pipsqueak and The Duke search inside a barrel next to a tent and The Duke sees what looks like green goo in the barrel.
"Hey, Jet. These barrels are filled with blasting jelly." The Duke said.
"That's a great score." Jet said.
"And these boxes are filled with jelly candy!" Pipsqueak said holding a crate.
"Also nice. Let's try and not to get them mixed up." Jet said.
"We'll take this stuff back to our hideout." Pipsqueak said.
"Hideout?" Gray asked.
"You guys have a hideout?" Aang asked.
"You wanna see it?" Jet asked and Lucy was about to open her mouth but then Katara quickly cuts in.
"Yes we'd like to see it!" Katara answered in a begging position and Jet smiles.
"Um, thanks, but we still need to move on and not waste anymore time here." Lucy said.
"C'mon, Luce, let's just stay there for one night." Natsu said.
"Erza, help me out here." Lucy said.
"It's getting late. I suppose looking into their hideout wouldn't hurt too much." Erza said and Lucy sighs.
"Okay, fine. We'll look at your stupid hideout." Lucy said.
The gang are walking along the forest floor with Jet and his gang and as they keep walking Jet stops in front.
"Okay. We're here." Jet said.
"Where? I don't see anything." Gray said.
"Here. Hold this." Jet said giving Gray and rope with a loop on the end.
"Why? What does this do?" Gray asked and then all of the sudden he gets pulled up by his arm that's holding onto the rope into a nearby tree canopy.
"Are you serious?" Sokka asked as he holds a rope and then he gets pulled as well into the tree canopy but gets stuck in the leafy branches.
After everyone else gets pulled Jet offers another rope to Aang.
"Aang?" Jet asked.
"I can get up on my own." Aang said as he leaps up to the tree.
"Me too." Ray ignited the bottom of his feet.
"Lucy?" Jet offered a rope.
"I'm no damsel in distress! I can get up by myself too!" Lucy said as she also launches herself up to the tree.
"Ow. Talk about an ice princess." Jet said.
"She's nice once you get to know her." Katara said as Jet holds a rope.
"Yeah. Grab hold of me, Katara." Jet said offering his free hand.
"Okay." Katara said as she takes Jet's hand.
Jet's rope starts to pull them into a spin while Katara holds onto Jet and she blushes but unknowing to them Lucy who is still climbing up the tree watches this with disgust as Katara is embracing Jet while they are still being pulled in the air but she's doing it for support while Jet is focusing on their ascent and Lucy is just more disgusted and keeps climbing.
"Something about that guy rubs me the wrong way. He appears charming, but I can't help but think there's something wrong about him." Lucy said in her mind.
Katara and Jet see a plank platform in the canopy and they rise through a hole in the floor and they both land on it and Jet lets go of the rope and Katara looks around and sees wooden stairs spiraling up the tree trunk and suspension bridge that links their platform to somewhere else and they see Aang, Momo, Natsu, Happy, and Wendy sliding across a rope.
"Nice place ya got!" Natsu said while still sliding.
"Yeah! It's really cool!" Aang said also sliding.
Katara and Jet both start walking to the bridge and they see nearby trees with same platforms, stairs, and bridges and some platforms have tent huts.
"It's so beautiful." Katara said.
"It's beautiful and more importantly, the Fire Nation can't find us." Jet said and Smellerbee joins the two.
"They'd love to find you, wouldn't they, Jet?" Smellerbee asked.
"That's not gonna happen." Jet said and then Lucy and Sokka join them and same with Gray, Erza, Wendy, and Carla while Aang, Momo, Natsu, and Happy are still playing on the zipline.
"Why does the Fire Nation want to find you? Wendy asked.
"I guess you could say that I've been causing them a little trouble. They took over a nearby Earth Kingdom village a few years back." Jet explained.
"We've been ambushing the troops, cuttin' off their supply lines, and doing anything to mess with them." Pipsqueak said.
"I suppose that's what's expected from young rebels." Erza said.
"One day, we'll drive the Fire Nation out of here for good and free that village." Jet said.
"That's so brave." Katara said.
"Yeah, nothing's braver than a guy in a treehouse." Sokka said sarcastically.
"Don't pay any attention to my brother." Katara said already annoyed with Sokka today.
"No problem. I'm sure he's had a rough day." Jet said.
"So you all live here?" Gray asked.
"That's right. Longshot's town has been burned down by the Fire Nation. We found The Duke trying to steal our food. I don't think he ever had a home." Jet said.
"That's horrible." Wendy said.
"What about you?" Katara asked and Jet stops walking while everyone else keeps walking.
"The Fire Nation killed my parents. I was only eight years old. That day changed me forever." Jet said.
"Sokka and I lost our mother to Fire Nation." Katara said.
"I'm so sorry, Katara." Jet said.
"As much as I still don't like this guy, I kind of feel sorry for him and his gang. The Fire Nation should be even more worse than Phantom itself." Lucy said in her mind.
"Lucy, what's wrong?" Katara said.
"Nothing." Lucy answered as she walks away. "I just can't stand this guy. He seems nice, but like I said, there's something about him that makes me sick." Lucy said to herself.
It's now getting dark outside and in the hideout some people are keeping watch on the upper part of the hideout while everyone else are sitting on a table eating and drinking and Jet climbs on the table for his announcement.
"Today, we struck another blow against the Fire Nation swine!" Jet began and everyone on the table and on the upper platform cheer at this while Lucy doesn't care while Sokka looks grumpy as usual. "I got special joy when I saw the look on that one soldier's face when The Duke dropped down on his helmet and rode him like a wild hog-monkey." Jet said as The Duke gets on the table as well and takes cheers from other people until he sits back down. "Now, the Fire Nation thinks they don't have to worry about a bunch of kids hiding in the trees. Maybe they're right..." Jet said and everyone boos. "...or maybe they're DEAD WRONG!" Jet said and everyone cheers wildly and Jet sits down between Katara and Lucy who turns her head away.
"That was a nice speech, Jet." Katara said.
"Thanks. I was really impressed with you and Aang. That was some great bending you guys did. Lucy and her friends are pretty good fighters too." Jet said.
"Thanks, Jet!" Natsu said.
"Aye!" Happy said.
"Well, Aang and Lucy are great. Aang's the Avatar and Lucy's the Celestial Mage of the prophecy. I still have more training." Katara said.
"Tell the WHOLE world, Katara!" Lucy said in her mind.
"The Avatar and the Celestial Mage, huh? Very nice." Jet said.
"Thanks, Jet." Aang said.
"Better than you." Lucy mumbled.
"Luce, you seem irritated. What's going on with you?" Natsu asked.
"It's nothing." Lucy said.
"Hey, I was thinking you guys might wanna help us with our little struggle." Jet said.
"Well, I wish we could, but we have to leave." Sokka said.
"For once, I agree with him." Lucy said.
"Really?" Sokka asked.
"The ONLY reason why I agreed with you is because Aang, Katara, and I need to get to the North Pole and train on Waterbending. Nothing more, stupid. See ya WHEN we see you." Lucy said as she starts to walk away.
"C'mon, Luce. I need you for an important mission tomorrow." Jet said making Lucy stop and she turns to Jet with an evil glare.
"Don't...call...me...Luce! Only my FRIENDS are allowed to call me that." Lucy said.
"We're not friends?" Jet asked.
"NO!" Lucy yelled.
"What'd I do to make you hate me?" Jet asked.
"I...just don't like you." Lucy said.
"Luce, you can't judge a book by its cover." Natsu said.
"Aye." Happy said.
"Well, I'm sorry, but we still have to go." Lucy said.
"C'mon, Lucy. Just help me and Sokka with ONE mission tomorrow. Please?" Jet asked.
"Wait, why me too?" Sokka asked.
"What mission?" Lucy asked trying to control her anger.
The next day Jet, Lucy, and Sokka are perched in branches on the same tree and Jet cups his hands and makes a bird call several trees away from Pipsqueak and Smellerbee and they both reply and then Sokka jabs his knife into the trunk of the tree.
"What are you doing?" Jet asked.
"It amplifies vibrations." Sokka said.
"Good trick." Jet said.
"Not bad, idiot." Lucy said.
Sokka cups his hands around pommel bone and puts his ear to it.
"Well?" Lucy asked.
"Nothing yet. Wait. There's someone approaching." Sokka said.
"How many?" Jet asked.
"I think there's just one." Sokka answered and Jet whistles again.
"Good work, Sokka. Both of you ready yourselves." Jet said as Sokka takes his knife out of the tree while Lucy
readies her whip and her keys.
They both wait for their target but then Lucy is shocked to see that it's just an old man with a walking cane and wearing a red robe walking and Lucy sees Jet ready to strike.
"Wait! False alarm! It's just an old man!" Lucy said but Jet readies his hook swords and jumps down to confront the old man.
"What are you doing in our woods, you leech?" Jet asked.
"Please, sir. I'm just a traveler." The old man said but Jet swipes making the old man's cane fly away.
The old man backs away but as he was about to run he runs into Pipsqueak knocking him down and Pipsqueak towers over him and the old man tries to get away again but Pipsqueak stops him by setting his foot on the man's back.
"Do you like destroying towns?! Do you like destroying families?! Do you?!" Jet demanded.
"Please let me go. Have mercy." The old man begged.
"Does the Fire Nation let people go?! Does the Fire Nation have mercy?!" Jet demanded again as he was about to kick the old man but then Lucy uses her whip to quickly stop Jet's leg from doing so.
"Jet, stop! He's just an old man!" Lucy said.
"He's Fire Nation! Search him!" Jet ordered as Pipsqueak and Smellerbee does what he said.
"He's not hurting anyone." Sokka said.
"Have you forgotten that the Fire Nation killed your mother?! Remember why you fight!" Jet said.
"We got his stuff, Jet!" Smellerbee said holding the old man's bag.
"This isn't the right way." Lucy said.
"It's just what has to be done. Let's get out of here." Jet said as he, Smellerbee, and Pipsqueak leave and Lucy stays to look at the old man who is now helpless. "Lucy, come on!" Jet said.
Lucy hesitated as she's still looking at the old man.
"I'm sorry." Lucy said as she leaves with the others.
Back at the hideout Lucy is sitting back to the trunk and staring at the platform thinking about what Jet did earlier today and later on Erza joins her and asked her what's wrong and Lucy started explaining to Erza about what Jet did making Erza flabbergasted and while Lucy explains Aang, Momo, Natsu, and Happy are playing on the zipline again and then Aang and Natsu arrive on the platform.
"Hey, Luce. Look at what The Duke gave me." Natsu said as he takes out a small pellet while making a sly grin and he tosses it at the platform next to Aang's feet and the pellet explodes with a pop.
"That's it! Pellet war!" Aang declared as he throws his own pellet at Natsu's feet making him dance wildly and Natsu throws his own pellets back at Aang's feet.
"Morons." Lucy said.
"Are you sure it was just an old man and it was Jet who beat and robbed him?" Erza asked.
"Yes. Sokka and I saw the whole thing." Lucy said.
While Aang and Natsu are having their pellet war Katara, Gray, Wendy, and Carla arrive to Lucy and Erza.
"Hey. Is Jet back?" Katara asked.
"Yeah. He's back...but we're leaving." Lucy said.
"What?" Aang and Natsu asked at the same time.
"But I made him this hat." Katara said showing them a cap made of leaves and flowers.
"Yeah, I'm sure he'd LOVE it." Gray said with sarcasm earning a glare from Katara.
"Why do you wanna leave, Lucy?" Wendy asked.
"Because Katara's new boyfriend's a thief and a thug." Lucy said.
"What? No he's not." Katara said.
"Yes he is. He's messed up, Katara." Sokka arriving to the gang.
"He's not messed up. He just has a different way of life." Natsu said.
"Yeah. A fun way of life." Aang said.
"There's nothing 'fun' about him! He beat and robbed a harmless old man!" Lucy said.
"I want to hear Jet's side of the story." Katara said.
They arrive at Jet's room where Jet is sitting on his hammock bed and Katara tells Jet that Lucy told them about what happened earlier today.
"Lucy, you told them what happened, but you didn't mention that guy was Fire Nation?" Jet asked.
"No. She left that part out." Katara said looking at Lucy crossly.
"Fine, but even if he was Fire Nation, he's still a harmless civilian." Lucy said.
"Not to mention an old man." Sokka added.
"He was an assassin." Jet said as he takes out a curve bladed knife and struck it into a block of wood. "There's a compartment for poison in the knife." Jet said as he lifts the knife's ring and shows a small glass tube that shows red liquid. "He was sent to assassinate me, but you saved my life, Luce." Jet said.
"I knew there was an explanation." Katara said.
"First of all, don't call me Luce! You're still not allowed to call me that! Second, I didn't see any knife and neither did Sokka because he was with me!" Lucy said.
"That's because he was concealing it." Jet said.
"See, Luce? I'm sure you just didn't see the knife." Natsu said.
"There was no knife!" Lucy shouted but Erza places her hand on Lucy's shoulder to calm her down.
"Calm down, Lucy." Erza said and Lucy lets out a big sigh.
"I'm going back to the hut to pack my things!" Lucy said storming off.
"I'll go with her." Erza said as she follows Lucy.
"I second that." Sokka said as he follows Erza.
"You guys aren't leaving yet, are you? I really need your help." Jet said.
"What do you want us to do?" Wendy asked.
"The Fire Nation is planning to burn down our forest. Aang, Katara, if you guys can use Waterbending to fill the reservoir, we can fight the fires, but if you guys leave now, then the whole valley will be destroyed." Jet said.
Lucy, Erza, and Sokka are in their hut and Lucy and Sokka are packing their stuff but then the others enter.
"We can't leave yet. The Fire Nation are going to destroy the forest." Happy said.
"Sorry, Cat, but I'm not trusting that deranged thug." Lucy said.
"Neither am I." Sokka said.
"If what Lucy said about Jet is true, then I'll believe her word over Jet's." Erza said.
"You know what I think? I think you're all jealous that Jet's a better warrior and a better leader!" Katara said.
"What? Me? Jealous of that weasel? No way." Sokka said.
"He can't be a better warrior and better leader than I can be. I can destroy him with two hands tied behind my back." Erza said.
"Why would I ever be jealous of that smooth-talking, spineless, heartless creep like Jet? It's quite obvious that you're blinded by his charm." Lucy said.
"Oh, so you're jealous that I like him?!" Katara asked.
"WHAT?! I didn't even like him since I even met him. He's no Prince Charming. He's just a manipulative jerk!" Lucy yelled.
"Jet is not a jerk!" Katara yelled back.
"Are you done?" Ray asked. "Tomorrow morning we're leaving, this isn't up for debate."
"Well, right now, I don't even CARE what you say!" Katara snapped.
"Hey, you don't get to talk back! We made him leader and-" Ray cut her protest off.
"You know what? Fine! You three can leave for all I care! WE'RE staying here a little longer and help Jet!" Katara snapped as she leaves the hut.
"Sorry, guys..." Aang said sadly.
"We hope you understand." Wendy said as they followed Katara.
"Why didn't you-" Lucy started.
"It was getting nowhere fast. Katara will need to learn this the hard way, you can't blindly trust people."
It's now nighttime and the gang are asleep except for Lucy who can't sleep because of her argument with Katara earlier and while she's tossing and turning she hears something and she opens the door flap to see Jet and his followers going down with their ropes and so she decides to wake Erza and Sokka up and the three leave the hut and go down the rope line to follow Jet and his gang through the forest out of Jet's camp while pulling a fully loaded wagon and Jet and his gang emerge from the forest and Jet walks over to the edge of a cliff and he looks down at a dam that's close to a walled town and Jet turns to his followers.
"Now listen, you are not to blow up the dam until I give the signal. If the reservoir isn't full, the Fire Nation won't survive." Jet said.
"But what about the people in that town? Won't they get wiped out too?" The Duke asked.
"Look, Duke, that's the price of ridding this area of the Fire Nation." Jet said and he turns to Longshot. Now don't blow the dam until I give the signal. Got it?" Jet asked and Longshot nods.
Unknowing to them Lucy, Erza, and Sokka watch them from the bushes.
"I knew there was something off about that guy." Lucy whispered.
"Yeah. You're right, Lucy." Sokka said.
"We must warn the others before..." Erza was cut off but rustling in the bushes and something grabs Lucy and Sokka by their ponyails and another hand grabs Erza by her hair.
It's revealed that Pipsqueak has held the three captive while Smellerbee points her knife at Lucy.
"Where do you three think you're going?" Smellerbee asked.
"Unhand us, you wretched worm!" Erza commanded.
"Shut her up." Smellerbee said and Pipsqueak whacks Erza knocking her out.
"Erza!" Lucy said. "You jerks! You're not getting away with this!" Lucy said.
"Shut it, Yellow hair!" Smellerbee said.
Pipsqueak drags Lucy, Sokka, and Erza to Jet who is still standing at the edge of the cliff and Pipsqueak sends the three to their knees and Jet smiles.
"Lucy, Sokka, Erza. So glad you three can join us." Jet said.
"We heard your plot to destroy the Earth Kingdom town." Erza said.
"Our plan is to rid the valley of the Fire Nation." Jet said.
"There are people living there, Jet. Mothers, fathers, and children." Sokka said.
"We can't win without making some sacrifices." Jet said.
"You lied to the others about the forest fire!" Lucy said pointing her finger.
"Because they don't understand the demands of war. Not like you three and I do." Jet said.
"Oh, I understand alright. I understand that there's nothing you won't do to get what you want." Lucy said.
"I was hoping you three would have an opened mind, but I can see you all mind your choice." Jet said as Pipsqueak and Smellerbee grab the three before even Erza could react and before Lucy could do anything Jet pins her wrist with one of his hook swords while her other hand is forced back. "I can't let any of you warn your friends and I can't let you, Lucy, summon those Celestial Spirits either." Jet said as he releases Lucy's hand which is also forced back. "Take them for a walk. A long walk." Jet ordered.
"You can't do this!" Sokka said.
"We won't let you get away, you monster!" Erza said.
"Cheer up. We're gonna win a very great victory against the Fire Nation today." Jet said.
Unbeknownst to Jet and the Freedom Fighters, Ray was laying down on a branch and overheard everything. He quietly jumped down from the tree and returned to the hideout.
Later on Jet, Aang, Katara, Natsu, Gray, and Wendy are walking upriver along its west bank.
"Jet, I'm sorry how Lucy and my brother were acting." Katara said.
"No worries. They already apologized." Jet said.
"Really? Sokka apologized?" Aang asked.
"Lucy too?" Natsu asked.
"Yeah. I was surprised too. I got the sense that maybe Katara talked to them or something." Jet said.
"Yeah. I did." Katara said.
"I guess something you said must have got through to them. They're on a scouting mission with Erza, Pipsqueak, and Smellerbee." Jet said.
"Well, I'm glad they both cooled off." Katara said.
"Yeah. Lucy can be just as stubborn as Sokka sometimes." Gray said.
"Aye." Happy said.
They are now walking in a gully beside the river and Aang stops for minute and notice something strange and he gets launched into the air by a blast from the geyser he was standing on.
"We're here. Underground water's trying to escape through these vents. Aang, Katara, I want you two to help it along." Jet said.
"I've never used bending on water I can't see. I don't know." Katara said unsure.
"Katara, you can do this." Jet assured her.
"What about me?" Aang asked.
"I know the Avatar can do it." Jet said.
Aang and Katara stand on either side of one of the smoking holes in the gully and the two preform Waterbending stances and they look like they're encouraging something up and few minutes later a stream of water rises from the hole and the two pull it to their height and send it toward the river where it continues to flow and the water quickly joins the river.
"They did it!" Wendy said.
"Good job, you two. This river empties into the reservoir. Just a few more geysers and it'll be full." Jet said.
"There another stream vent." Aang said as the two walk toward it.
"You two keep it up. I'm going to see how things are going at the reservoir." Jet said as he walks away.
"When they're done, we'll meet up." Natsu said making Jet stop.
"Actually, you guys should meet me back at the hideout when you're done." Jet said as he leaves.
Aang and Katara work on the next geyser into another fountain and later on they worked on a half dozen making them into fountains flowing into the river.
"I think that's enough. I'm not just saying that to be lazy." Aang said.
"I think that's good enough. Not bad, you two." Gray said.
"Let's meet with Jet at the reservoir." Katara said.
"I thought Jet said to meet him back at the hideout." Wendy said.
"Well, we finished early. I'm sure he'll be happy to see us." Katara said.
Meanwhile in a different part of the forest Pipsqueak and Smellerbee keep moving Lucy, Erza, and Sokka and their hands are all tied up.
"Can't you two free yourselves?" Sokka asked.
"I could, but Jet managed to tied my hands good." Erza said.
"I can't get to my keys because both my hands and fingers are tied up." Lucy said.
"Wow, Jet's smart." Sokka said.
"You're still an idiot." Lucy said.
"Come on! Keep moving!" Smellerbee said shoving the three.
"How can you two just stand by and watch while Jet destroys a town?" Lucy asked.
"Hey listen, Lucy, Jet's a great leader. We follow what he says and things always turn out okay." Pipsqueak said.
Lucy then sees two snare leaf pile traps nearby and she gets an idea.
"Well, if this is how Jet leads, then he's got a lot to learn." Lucy said as she runs toward the leaf piles.
"Hey!" Smellerbee called as she and Pipsqueak go after her.
Lucy runs toward the leaf piles and she leaps over them but Pipsqueak and Smellerbee don't and they get trapped in the snare trap and they get hung in the air.
"Good trick, Lucy." Sokka said his hands now free and same with Erza's hands.
"Why are you already free?!" Lucy asked.
"What? Jet didn't tie my hands good enough." Sokka said as he unties Lucy who smacks him across his face.
"You could've freed us earlier, you moron!" Lucy yelled.
"I had to make look convincing." Sokka said as he looks up at Pipsqueak and Smellerbee. "While you guys are up there, you might want to tell Jet to work on his knot work." Sokka said.
"I have something I need to do. You two go find the others." Lucy said.
"We'll go with you." Erza said.
"No. I'm going by myself. Find the others." Lucy said as she leaves.
"Guess we should go find the others and warn them." Erza said.
"Right." Sokka said as they leave in a different way.
"Hey, Smellerbee, you gonna eat your leechee nuts?" Pipsqueak asked and Smellerbee throws her nuts at Pipsqueak who starts eating happily.
Aang, Katara, Natsu, Gray, and Wendy arrive at the edge of the cliff and they see four of Jet's followers unloading barrels from the wagon and arrange them near the dam.
"What're they doing?" Natsu asked.
"Those look like those red barrels Jet got from the Fire Nation." Katara said.
"Why would they need blasting jelly?" Gray asked and Aang realizes something.
"Because they're gonna destroy the dam." Aang said shocking the others.
"But that would destroy the town." Wendy said.
"Jet would never do that." Katara said.
"Looks like he will." Natsu said and Aang opens his glider.
"I'm going to stop him." Aang said.
"C'mon, Happy." Natsu said.
"Aye!" Happy said.
"Carla!" Wendy said.
"Right." Carla said.
"Jet wouldn't do that." Katara said.
As Aang, Natsu, and Wendy reach the edge Jet crosses their path from behind and snatches Aang's glider, Happy, and Carla making Aang, Natsu, and Wendy wobble near the edge but Aang uses his Airbending to save himself, Natsu, and Wendy and they see Jet tying Happy and Carla against a tree trunk.
"Yes I would." Jet said.
"Jet, why?" Katara asked.
"Katara, you would too if you'd just stop 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 said.
"This still isn't the right answer!" A voice said and they see Sokka and Erza arriving.
"Sokka!" Katara said as she hugs him.
"Erza!" Gray said.
"I just wanted you to understand me, Katara. I thought Sokka or even Lucy would understand, but..." Jet stops talking.
"What?" Wendy asked shocked.
"What have you done to Lucy?!" Natsu demanded.
"Where is she?" Aang asked as tears fall from Katara's face.
"Katara..." Jet walks over to Katara but she turns away and Natsu lets out a roar of rage and he summons a fireball from his hand at Jet who jumps back. "So you're a Firebender too?" Jet asked.
"No I'm not! I'm a Fire MAGE! There's a difference!" Natsu yelled.
"Doesn't matter. You still use fire which means you're my enemy." Jet said.
"I need to get to that dam." Aang said as he goes for his glider but Jet already grabs it with his hook swords.
"You're not going anywhere without your glider and I wouldn't try to untie those annoying cats if I were you, Pink hair." Jet said.
Natsu lets out another roar of rage and unleashes a stream of fire at Jet who spin his hook swords to get rid of the flames and he charges at attempts to swipe at Natsu and Aang but they both roll out of the way and Aang retreats to a nearby tree as he tries to untie Happy and Carla but Jet swipes at Aang again making him climb up the tree.
"I'm not gonna fight you, Jet." Aang said.
"You'll have to if you want you glider back." Jet said as he goes for Aang but Natsu fire punches at Jet knocking him back. "Filthy Fire rat!" Jet yelled.
"What Luce was tryin' to tell us this whole time, she was right all along. I can't believe I believed YOUR word over hers! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" Natsu shouted as he breathes fire from his mouth but Jet quickly rolls out of the way.
Jet goes for Natsu and tries to swipe at Natsu who dodges and fire kicks at Jet but Jet quickly grabs Natsu's neck with the hook of his sword, spins Natsu around, and brings him down to the ground but Natsu recovers and spins to get up while unleashing fire at Jet who backs off and he hooks a branch to pull himself up to go after Aang who retreated back into the forest.
"Get back here, ya creep!" Natsu yelled as he climbs up a tree and goes after Jet.
Jet attacks Aang in the tree while Aang defends himself by shooting balls of air at Jet but he ducks and attacks Aang again head on but Aang blocks with his arms and delivers an air kick sending Jet flying to a tree trunk but Jet combines his swords and attacks with a flail like move but Aang avoids it and unleashes another air blast but Jet stoops down and lets the air flow over and past him and then Jet lunges at Aang but he runs away but Jet chases after him but Jet keeps up and the two freefall with Jet attacking and they end up on a branch and Jet attacks again but Aang avoids and Jet charges again but Natsu arrives at delivers a fire punch at Jet in the face knocking him to a tree trunk but Jet recovers and flail attacks Natsu but Natsu grabs one of Jet's swords and swipes at Jet with it but Jet kicks Natsu in the stomach sending him flying and Jet takes his hook sword back and goes for Aang again but Erza arrives a delivers a powerful punch at Jet knocking him down but he recovers but he lets loose Aang's glider and before Aang could get to the ground Jet kicks Aang into trunk and he lands next to his glider and Jet was about to attack Aang again but Erza attempts to swipe at him with her sword but Jet backs off and tries to attack Erza with both his hook swords but Erza blocks with her sword and she kicks at Jet in the stomach sending him against a tree trunk but Jet charges at Erza but then water strikes him and it's Katara who attacks and then Wendy uses Sky Dragon Roar to knock Jet back but he charges at the two but Natsu fire kicks sending Jet to the tree trunk again allowing Gray to use his Ice Magic to freeze Jet from toe to neck with his head still unfrozen.
"Why, Jet? I can't believe I trusted you. You lied to me! You're sick and I trusted you!" Katara said.
"I doubt you'll be causing..." Sokka was cut off by a signal call and everyone looks around to see where it was coming from and they see Jet answering the call.
"What are you doing?" Gray asked.
"You're too late." Jet said.
"No!" Wendy said.
"Happy!" Natsu said as he goes for the still tied up Happy and Carla.
"I've gotta hurry!" Aang said as he opens his glider and runs to the cliff but as he was about to fly he falls to the ground due to the glider being damaged and Katara, Sokka, Erza, Gray, and Wendy run up to help him.
"Lucy is still out there." Erza said.
"She's our only chance now." Sokka said.
"Come on, Luce. You've gotta hurry." Natsu said while still untying Happy and Carla.
"Please, Lucy. I'm sorry I ever doubted you. Please." Katara said.
They see Longshot standing on a branch of a tree and he prepares a fire arrow and then he shoots the fire arrow and it's going at the base of the dam.
"No..." Katara and Natsu said at the same time.
The center of the dam explodes in a cloud of smoke and fire and everyone sees a massive wall of water going over to the town which is empty and the water rushes trough the open gate and a huge wave engulfs the wall and the gate and the entire town is destroyed by the large wave of water.
"Lucy didn't make it in time." Aang said.
"No...NO! NO! NO! NO!" Natsu cried as he punches a tree.
"All those people..." Wendy said as she starts to cry.
"Jet, you monster!" Katara yelled.
"How could you do something this ruthless?! You're worse than anyone I've known!" Erza yelled.
"This was a victory. Remember that. The Fire Nation is gone and this valley will be safe." Jet said.
"You're right about one thing, Jet." Ray spat out. "This valley will be safe..."
"Without YOU!" A voice said shocking Jet and everyone turns to see Appa walking up and on his head is Lucy holding his reins.
"LUCE!" Natsu cheered.
"You're okay!" Katara said.
"What did you guys expect?" Lucy asked and then turns to Jet. "I warned the villagers of your plan, Jet. Just in time." Lucy said.
"You WHAT?!" Jet asked shocked.
"At first they didn't believe me. The Fire Nation soldiers assumed I was a spy, but then one man vouched for me...the old man you attacked. He urged them to trust me and we got everyone out just in time before the flood." Lucy explained.
The villagers are on high ground above the river and a little girl runs down at the water's edge and sees a doll floating by and she picks it up.
"Missus Pretty!" The little girl cheered hugging her doll.
"Lucy, you fool! We could've freed this valley!" Jet said.
"Who would be free? Everyone would be dead." Lucy said.
"You traitor!" Jet barked.
"No, Jet. YOU became the traitor when you stopped protecting innocent people." Lucy replied.
"Katara, please. Help me." Jet begged.
"Goodbye, Jet." Katara said as everyone gets on Appa.
"Yip yip." Lucy said and Appa starts flying leaving Jet who is still frozen against the tree.
Appa is flying through the sky again with Lucy driving the bison while everyone else is on the saddle.
"Lucy, I thought you were going to the dam." Aang said.
"I thought so too when you said you had to take care of something. Why'd you go to the village?" Sokka asked.
"Because MY instincts told me." Lucy answered.
"Well, if it wasn't for you, then all those lives would've been lost." Carla said.
"I think it is YOU who should be the leader of this group instead of me." Erza said.
"Nah, you're still a good leader to me, Erza." Lucy said.
"Well, you should consider being leader from here on out." Aang said.
"I kind of agree now that I think about it." Sokka said.
"I'll think about it." Lucy said.
"Lucy, I'm sorry I doubted you and..." Katara was cut off by Lucy.
"Don't worry about it, Katara. You were just affected by Jet's rubbish. That's all." Lucy said.
"Hey, Luce, are we going the right way?" Gray asked.
"My instincts should be right about where we're going so yes." Lucy answered.
"Okay then. Lead the way, Wise Leader." Natsu said.
"Very funny." Lucy said.
"No. He was serious." Aang said.
"Aye." Happy said.
"Oh, okay then. Let's keep going and we'll might have to stop for the night." Lucy said as she makes Appa keep flying through the sky.