I Hope for Freedom
Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender doesn't belong to me.
Problems on Repeat
(Outside the Rebel Camp Grounds)
"What the hell happened here?" Katara demanded looking over a beaten Hahn, "who did this?"
When the trio saw the guards camped out at the halfway mark they were confused. But as they got closer and saw Hahn on the ground beaten and bloodied it quickly turned to horror. Hahn was lying in the dirt shackled and bruised. Curled up in a ball as if fearing more blows. Katara ran to his aid while Longshot brought up the rear. The Duke stayed with their Underground companions looking speechless and scared. The reality that these people were capable of all kinds of barbarity right in front of them.
"Thank his big mouth girlfriend," a guard standing over the beaten teen spat, "you can't just go running your mouth and threatening us then walk away!" he ranted, "bitch is lucky we were under orders not to touch any of you stupid campers because of Zhao's interest in the girl," he said, "but this boy is not one of them anymore and was ours to punish," he insisted.
"He still is one of us as far as I'm concerned," Longshot walked up to him, "and I know Suki, she would never leave Hahn alone to be harmed."
"He was the one trying to stop her but she just kept pushing it," another said, "we are not babysitters."
"Thank goodness for that," The Duke mumbled and the men leading the trio back laughed.
"Cute," the man mumbled.
Katara used her bending water to heal as much of Hahn's injuries as she could. Since she had already healed a bunch of people the results were less than she had hoped for. "I'm sorry Hahn, Zhao's test..."
"Did you pass?" Hahn wheezed, "will you get to heal Yue?" he asked her.
"Yes Hahn, I will," Katara smiled through her tears, "I promise that she will recover."
"Good," Hahn said, "Longshot you watch over your girlfriend," he instructed the archer.
"You bet," Longshot said, "just keep yourself out of trouble until we can come get you out and I promise that we will get you away from these monsters," he declared, "just hold on," he told Hahn.
"Okay," Hahn said, "but give Suki a message for me," he pleaded, "tell my heart that I forgiver her for walking away," he told Longshot, "she thinks that because I didn't want her to fight that The Underground has messed me up somehow but please tell her that I am still me and that I really do care about her," he begged.
"Don't worry," Katara said seriously, "she will know exactly how you are feeling."
(Back at the Rebel Camp)
"Let me go!" Suki screamed as Katara blood bended her, "you can't do this, it is not allowed!"
"You almost got Hahn killed!" Katara raged dragging the teen girl even closer, "I don't care about the rules and I bet if everyone heard what you did they would gladly let me punish you to the fullest extent."
Longshot looked on in shock. This was something he would never have expected of his girlfriend. Katara was one of the kindest persons he had ever met. Right now however she looked absolutely ruthless.
"Katara," Haru ran up, "if you don't let her go we will have to make you," he said, "we can't let anyone use their bending to harm any of us without cause. Please Katara, stop this. I don't want to fight you."
Katara glared at Suki then released her. "This cow caused Hahn to be almost beaten to death!" she raged, "and the worst part is he said that he still loved her and gave Longshot a message."
"Wait...what?" Suki asked in disbelief, "Hahn is hurt? But when I left him he was just fine!"
"Before or after you pissed off those who men were guarding him?" Katara demanded.
"Katara enough!" Longshot intervened, "Suki made a mistake," he said, "but she would never intentionally let anything bad happen to Hahn. You need to lay off!" he ordered.
Katara glared at Longshot and water started to rise from deep in the earth. Her powers had gotten so out of control she was drawing water out the ground without even trying and in an area that was mostly desert that was quite terrifying. If she didn't calm down she might even do worse. "You're taking her side? After you saw for yourself what she had caused?"
"It was an accident Katara," Longshot insisted, "please, this is not you. You are a kind merciful person."
"Maybe mercy is just too good for some people," Katara snarled, "especially her!"
"No," The Duke stepped forward, "everyone deserves mercy."
Katara was surprised by his words and her powers calmed. "You think that she deserves another chance?"
"Yes, because she will carry the guilt with her forever," The Duke said, "guilt is worse than any physical man known to man. Longshot taught me that," he added, "and life."
Katara folded her arms. "Fine. I'm going for a walk to clear my head. Let Sokka know that I need to speak to him in the morning, Toph too."
"About what Katara?" Longshot tried to reach for her.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with Suki lover," Katara blasted, "just because I'm not beating you silly don't think for a second that I have forgiven you," she turned on Suki.
Suki looked at her feet. "There is nothing you can say that will make me feel any worse. I left Hahn alone and defenceless in anger and he paid the price for my foolish words. When he came here some of the rebels were awful to him and he left. Yet I somehow became the worst of all and got him hurt."
"Again Suki, that was not your intention," Longshot said, "I know you love Hahn and he told me to let you know that he forgives you for walking away," he revealed, "that you are his heart and that he cares about you and that is why he didn't want you fighting those men," he said, "not because The Underground had taken the fight out of him. He was worried about you."
Suki covered her mouth as tears flowed down her face. "Really?" she asked but it came out muffled.
"Yes and I know that he can't wait to be with you again," Longshot said taking her other hand, "I know Katara is really upset but understand that seeing him such a state must have really upset her after all the things she probably had to do to convince Zhao she could heal Yue," he stated, "it is probably her resentment of him and her exhaustion talking. You know Katara is not usually like this."
"Usually like what?" Katara demanded, "she is the one…"
"Enough!" Longshot exploded, "Katara, Suki has been guilt tripped enough, you need to stop, please."
Katara clenched her fists but she kept her mouth shut. Minutes later she walked away taking long strides and mumbling under her breath. Clearly she was still mad and hadn't forgiven Suki one bit.
"I don't blame her," Suki sniffled, "I'm a monster."
"No, you are not," a random rebel said, "if anyone acted like a monster it was Katara," he said to a chorus of agreement, "and maybe even some of us towards Hahn," he confessed and the chorus grew quiet."
"He just wanted to be with us and we turned our backs and rebuked him," another said.
"I welcomed him," a next male spoke up meekly.
"And I promise that he was grateful for that," Suki said, "even those of you who were mad, he understood your anger and didn't resent you for it," she said, "something that I did and now Katara is doing. This hate just eats at you and twists you into something ugly. I don't want that."
"Neither do I," Longshot said kindly, "after Katara calms down I'll try to talk to her some more."
"Good luck," The Duke said and a few rebels laughed.
Soon Suki joined them and Longshot just rolled his eyes. But even he soon started smiling.
(Late in the Night in The Underground)
Pipsqueak lay awake among the other slaves. He knew retribution was coming for Zhao letting Longshot and The Duke talk to him. Maybe if he were in Xin Fu's good graces his more intimidating master would let it slide. But this was not that time and his mind was just a jumble of knots and worry. There was no way that he would be able to sleep a wink. Worse he would have to ensure that he more than doubled his output tomorrow.
The cell door opened and he immediately pretended to be asleep. "Pipsqueak, Xin Fu requests that you follow me to meet with him."
Pipsqueak's eyes flew open. Even a few groggy slaves sat up. Xin Fu never requested anything from a slave. Hell not even from most free people and employees. "What is it?" he faked being sleepy.
"Xin Fu has called for you," the voice stated, "now," he added sounding annoyed.
Pipsqueak smiled. That was normal talk. "Coming, keep your clothes on." He froze at the door upon seeing a Dai Lee Agent. They only delivered slaves on their own for special reasons. One of which was to take them away to have their brains scrambled.
"Oh please," the agent rolled his eyes, "it's not that, now come."
The giant teen breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out. He followed the agent after the man locked the cell back up. "Do you know what Xi…Master Xin Fu wants?" he caught himself.
"I don't question his tastes."
That response sent chills up Pipsqueak's spine. That line could mean anything. What on earth was Xin Fu up to and why did his master require his presence? His thoughts told him to run but he knew better. Even if he were normal sized he wouldn't make it very far before the agent got him.
Soon they stopped in an area the teen was unfamiliar with. The agent pointed at a door and handed him a key. "Xin Fu said you could be trusted from here. I wouldn't try running boy," he warned and left.
Pipsqueak wished he could kick the asshole for calling him that instead of his name. Knowing that would not help though he opted to close his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself. Then he opened to door and stepped inside. He was surprised to see a well decorated room and carefully closed the door behind him. "Hello? Master?"
"He's not here anymore," a familiar voice said that sent Pipsqueak's heart into overdrive. Coming out what seemed to be a bathroom was Jet. "Master Xin Fu told me to keep you company, so I am."
Pipsqueak could barely contain his rage. Xin Fu had found the perfect way to punish him. By putting his broken old boy crush in his presence. He watched his former leader moving around using his arms since he no longer had legs but short stubs where they used to be. "What is going on here? Tell me or I will leave!"
"Hey!" Jet snapped, "Master only said I should stay with you, not take your shit."
"Trust me, this is not my idea of a great time either," Pipsqueak mumbled.
"It would be better if you would just stop bitching," Jet spat at him.
"Say that again?" Pipsqueak demanded, "I know I'm not getting back talk from a walking corpse."
"I am very much alive you asshole," Jet spat, "the Dai Lee made me better than ever."
"A brain dead stooge like you would say that," Pipsqueak mumbled, "so what am I supposed to do in this stupid room anyway?"
"Whatever you want as long as you don't leave until someone comes for you," Jet told him.
Pipsqueak snorted and sat on the floor. Whatever game Xin Fu was playing, he wasn't interested in playing along. There was nothing to do but wait this annoying thing out. Sooner or later someone had to come to collect him. He closed his eyes and soon fell asleep.
When he awoke it was to muffled moans and whispers. He looked to see Jet doing a guard from behind who had a gag in his mouth to muffle the sound. They were surrounded by a small audience of guards and monitors who were now looking at Pipsqueak worriedly. Clearly they had tried their best to carry on without waking him up from his slumber.
"Um," one said but nothing else.
"Whatever," Pipsqueak sighed and turned away, "let me know when I'm supposed to leave."
To his surprise someone roared with laughter. "Holy shit, you are so mother fucking hypocritical," Jet said.
Pipsqueak turned around. "Who the fuck are you? Xin Fu put us together to punish me. Don't flatter yourself into thinking I'm shy about sex. I've screwed better than you in my sleep."
A dead silence fell in the room.
Jet finished then pulled out. "Is that so? My, what a special big boy you are," he taunted.
"Bigger than you legless," Pipsqueak threw back.
"At least I don't have stuffing up my ass," Jet countered, "I don't know whether to call you a doll or a turkey."
Pipsqueak stood to his feet and a few males ran from the room. "Come closer and repeat that."
"After you," Jet said, "unless you're scared of hot naked men, boy."
Pipsqueak's face burned red. He walked right up to the bed as the guard lying beside Jet jumped out and fled. "Now what big mouth? Still brave enough to spew crap when I'm this close," he poked Jet in the chest.
Jet's face went from conceited to horrified. The next second he peed himself.
Even Pipsqueak was surprised by that reaction. He knew this wasn't the Jet who led him, not mentally, but still all he saw was that he had made his old comrade piss on the sheets. "I..."
Jet frantically pulled the sheets up to hide what he had done. Hot tears burned the teen's eyes and he heard the first sounds of laughter. But it was quickly silenced. When he looked up he was surprised to see Pipsqueak holding a monitor by the face as if ready to crush his skull. Weapons had been drawn but none made a move to offer the man any aid.
"Never laugh at him again," Pipsqueak snarled and the terrified man nodded, "get out of here," he ordered and flung the man on the ground. In no time the monitor was out the door. He then turned his attention to Jet who flinched from his approach. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...shame you."
"Who said I was shamed?" Jet demanded in a shaky voice, "I am fine, go away."
Pipsqueak didn't and instead sat at the edge. "You can clean up in the bathroom. Everything will be good as new when you come out."
"Like my reputation?" Jet countered, "I'm going to be pee boy forever," he whined.
"Is this bed reinforced?" Pipsqueak noticed and moved further in, "wow, it doesn't even creak under my weight," he said completely surprised.
"What are you doing?" a guard demanded sharply.
Pipsqueak was up in seconds. "Nothing."
"Hold up," another guard said, "this is his night, let him enjoy it."
"After he made Jet piss himself?" the other demanded.
"That was an accident," Pipsqueak stated.
"Doesn't matter and you are going to pay for it."
"No," Jet said, "Master Xin Fu said Pipsqueak could do as he liked as long as he stays in the room. No punishment unless he attacks someone. Master Xin Fu said so."
"Damn it, his mind is wired, no way can we deal with the giant," a guard mumbled.
Pipsqueak was both disappointed and relieved to hear that. "Right. Master Xin Fu."
Jet squirmed in the bed. "I need a bath." He slid out of bed but hesitated.
"No one even remembers it," a guard tried to reassure him.
Jet slowly made his way into the bathroom and closed the door. There was running water heard and soon he was singing.
Pipsqueak raised an eyebrow. Jet never sang often and certainly not while he was bathing. In the Freedom Fighters there was often little opportunity for privacy while keeping one step ahead of Fire Nation soldiers. The members learned plenty about each other before that night when they were decimated.
"Bet you think you're real tough scaring a handicapped person," a guard still bent out of shape said.
"Let it go," another told him.
"What do you want from me?" Pipsqueak demanded, "he already peed himself, I can't turn back time."
"You could take your punishment like a man."
Pipsqueak glared. "Make me."
A single guard walked up. He looked at Pipsqueak hard. Then he spat on the teen.
Pipsqueak looked ready to commit murder. But just then he felt something warm behind him. Two guards had snuck around and were now peeing on him. Enraged he grabbed them and flung the pair to the other side of the room. By then more became emboldened and soon he was fighting a regular influx of guards and monitors. "You think I'm scared of you? Bring it!"
"Stop!"
Everyone froze. That voice only belonged to one person. "What the hell is going on here?"
"Master Xin Fu," Jet rushed forward freshly showered, "I tried to tell them not to fight with him but..."
"Why would there be a fight?" Xin Fu demanded, "what are all these guards doing here? This was supposed to be something for you and Pipsqueak. I set it up that way."
"Me and him?" Jet asked confused while Pipsqueak looked completely shocked.
Xin Fu looked from one to the other in disbelief. "You have got to be kidding me. Pipsqueak, come here."
Pipsqueak made his way over. He looked away when his master wrinkled his nose.
"What have you been doing in here?" Xin Fu demanded.
"Just sitting around master," Pipsqueak said lowering his head.
"In this room?" Xin Fu asked, "where there is food and all the amenities you can ask for...you just sat?"
Pipsqueak's lip actually quivered. "I fell asleep. I was...kind of tired."
"Oh really?" Xin Fu got in his face, "from what might I ask? Talking with your good old friends or from doing nothing for most of the day?"
Pipsqueak just stared at the floor in silence. The next moment he felt a hard blow from his master punching him in the face. "I'm sorry master! I'm sorry!" he started crying.
"Xin Fu sir he didn't really do anything wrong," a guard cut in, "he's just high strung, like always."
Xin Fu looked absolutely furious. "Really? So high strung that he fell asleep!" he demanded and all defence of the crying teen was silenced. "I guess you will always be defiant, even when it is something that's actually good for you," he glared at Pipsqueak, "I'm glad that you aren't coming with me to Ba Sing Se. You're Zhao's problem now."
Pipsqueak just nodded as tears fell down his swollen face.
"Go wash up," Xin Fu snapped and Pipsqueak went into the bathroom, "put him in a single cell when he's done," he ordered the guards.
"What should I do master?" Jet asked humbly.
Xin Fu thought about it. "So Pipsqueak never tried to have sex with you."
"No master," Jet replied.
"Then I want you to keep an eye on him when I'm gone," Xin Fu whispered, "so that no one tempts him into trying to escape."
Jet's face contorted. His mind had been warped to hate any idea of escape from The Underground. "Yes Master, he will not get out as long as there's breath in my body."
See you guys next time.
Oh wait...it's not done yet.
...Xin Fu entered a room where rows of people were folding laundry. Each person did their job diligently not even looking up no matter the distraction. When a buzzer went off a group got up and went through a blue door at the back of the room. Otherwise when a monitor called for a group to halt, they stopped working and went on to their next scheduled activity. The only unusual thing about the room was what all the workers wore full white and the entire room was white besides that one door.
He walked right up to the blue door and opened it. Immediately the sounds of moaning and the scraping of metal tables were heard. He entered and closed the door behind him. There were rows of young people leaned over thin metal borders or flat on metal tables performing various sexual acts. Some did so without protest while others were strapped down.
"Sneers," Xin Fu called out looking through the sea of faces.
"He's back here," a man called out, "he's on continued duty for refusing to work."
Xin Fu chuckled. Work was code for laundry and duty for the sexual acts performed in between. Those who refused to work or perform were made to do extra performances until they complied. He walked to the back to see Sneers strapped down on the table with multiple men penetrating him. After they were done, Xin Fu told them to take five. "So this is what the little traitor has been reduced to."
Sneers coughed and shook on the table. His body ached everywhere. At this point he would do anything to make all the pain end. Anything but betray those he had spied for.
"So, you refuse to work," Xin Fu shook his head, "not very smart."
"You know that is bull," Sneers eventually wheezed out, "you just want to torture me," he rasped.
"Oh yes, that's true," Xin Fu admitted, "but what if I offered you a way out without betraying your friends. A way that would see you having sex with as few as one or two people, sometimes none."
Sneers looked up at him in shock. The idea of not having multiple people penetrating him at once and tearing him a part seemed a far off memory. At the start he would never consider this but now he just wanted the pain to stop. If this offer was true...
"Tick, tock," Xin Fu said.
"Yes, please," Sneers nodded.
Xin Fu undid the leather straps and picked him up. "You're just lucky I need you for something."
Now the chapter is finished.