The Mysterious Traveler
Like I said before, don't get used to these updates. I actually didn't plan for this one to be done so early, but since I managed to get a food grove on and start writing away, I figured why not release this one.
Hope you're all enjoying the story and the direction I'm going in. And as I've said, there will be changes along the way. Especially in this chapter.
DISCLAIMER: "I do not own Harry Potter or Avatar: The Last Airbender!"
Enjoy Chapter 18! :)
Chapter Eighteen:
Shame & Guilt
Darkness filled the void of Sokka's world, unable to understand what was going on or what had happened. He could hear voices, beginning as whispers before getting louder as time passed. Light began to appear, blurry and unclear. But soon enough, all of his senses came back, allowing for him to take in everything. He recognized the light of the moon and the darkness of the night around him.
The first thing he felt was pain, coming from his head. Lifting his hand to touch the source, he felt something restrict him from doing so. Trying again, he quickly realized that his arms were tied up behind his back, and that his body was on the ground. Looking up, he saw a giant, wooden wall in front of him.
The dam!
His eyes widened as he looked around and found the Freedom Fighters setting barrels all around the wall, even painting certain sides with the liquid material that was inside of them.
"Hello, Sokka," greeted a voice.
Turning to its source, his eyes met Jet, who was sitting on a huge rock, looking down on him.
"I'm sorry you had to see this. I planned for you and the others to find out after it happened."
Sokka glared at him, struggling to get free of his bounds.
"I know what you must be thinking right now, but please, let me ex-" Jet closed his eyes and lowered his head.
"Oh, save it for someone else, Jet!" Sokka spat. "No need to explain, I get what's going on here. You plan to blowup the dam and flood the entire valley."
"It's the only way."
"The only way for what? To murder innocent people?"
"To save the valley," Jet looked up, keeping his expression firm. "This will wipe out the Fire Nation forces and drive them away."
"There are mothers, fathers and children down there as well, Jet! Nothing you can say will justice this!"
"It's for the grea-" he stopped himself, sighing. "I was hoping you would understand. But now I see you've made your choice."
Smellerbee and Pipsqueak appeared right next to him.
"What do you want to do with him?" Smellerbee asked.
"Put him with the Fire Nation scum," Jet hopped off the rock. "But don't let anyone see you."
Pipsqueak walked up to Sokka and picked him up, "Sorry about this. Nothing personal."
Before he could reply, a large fist slightly knocked him on the head, falling unconscious once more.
Severus, Aang and Katara sat at the dinner table, surrounded by other kids as they ate.
"I wonder where Sokka is," Katara frowned as she looked around. "I was expecting him to be here."
"Probably with Jet," replied Aang.
"Actually, he's off on a mission with some of the others," Jet answered as he approached them from behind.
"Oh, okay," Katara blushed. "What's the mission this time? Did something happen?"
Jet nodded, "The Fire Nation is planning to burn down the forest, so that they find out where we are. I sent the Freedom Fighters to fight them, along with Sokka as well. I was surprised when he volunteered."
"Well, I'm happy he's cooled off now. He can be really stubborn sometimes."
Jet dropped to knees, "Hey, I was wondering if you guys could help me with something."
"Anything, Jet!" the girl's eyes sparkled, making Severus roll his eyes and sneer.
"What do you need us to do?" Aang leaned over next to Katara's shoulder.
"With the Fire Nation trying to burn down the forest, I think it would be in our best interests to unleash some trapped water under these events I've managed to find. However, I need a waterbender to do it. And it so happens you two are perfect for the job."
Katara's smile faded, "I... I don't know, Jet. I'm not that powerful."
"Katara," Jet leaned in, placing his hands on her shoulders. "You can do it. I have faith in you."
She smiled and blushed at the same time, playing her with hair.
Aang took notice of this and glared at them, "Yeah, Katara. With both of us, we can definitely do it."
Severus withheld a snicker, trying hard not to laugh at the boy's jealousy. Not to mention how long it took him to notice how Jet was putting the moves on Katara.
"That's good to hear," Jet stood up. "Best we get started as soon as possible. Follow me to the spot I told you about."
Just as Aang and Katara got up to leave, Severus turned around, "Hey, Jet. Before you go, can we resume my training when you get back with Sokka. I want to keep going at it some more."
Jet grinned and nodded, "Sure thing. But I make no promises though. Today might turn out to be a busy day."
Nodding back, he watched as the three of them left before going back to his small meal.
Afterwards, he started walking back to the hut, until he heard a conversation that caught his ear.
"-if they find out what we did?"
"Jet's got it covered-"
Stopping, he turned to look up, seeing Smellerbee with the Duke and Pipsqueak on a platform just across from him and a little higher up. Wanting to get closer, he silently took a zip line towards the other side, just below them. Standing under where they were, he listened in on what they were saying.
"Just keep watch and make sure he doesn't escape. And don't let anyone in."
"You got it," Pipsqueak declared.
Waiting until Smellerbee left, he climbed on up to the floor above and slowly approached the two.
"Um, Duke, can I ask you something?"
The little boy nodded as he wiped his nose.
"Do you think what Jet is doing is wrong? I mean, it's one thing to attack Fire Nation soldiers and all, but flooding an entire village with women and children? I just feel like this is one of things we shouldn't do."
"I don't know. I mean, I feel the same way, but Jet has a point that we tried everything we that could and we still can't get them to leave. Those people down there choose to do nothing against them. It just feels like what traitors do."
"Yeah, but still-"
Suddenly, they saw a light from their left side, making them turn to find a fire at the edge of the platform. Rushing forward, they tried to put it out. However, unknown to them, a figure quickly pulled himself up from the other side and silently ran to the entrance of the hut, entering it.
Once inside, Severus's eyes widened at the sight of Sokka tied up and gagged, alongside the Fire Nation captive.
Sokka tried to speak, but his voice was muffled.
Rushing forward, he took out the gag and began to untie him, while the Fire Nation woman began moaning, hoping he will do the same to her.
"What happened?" Severus demanded.
"I found out that Jet plans to blow up the dam. He lied to us, Alex. Those barrels we helped them take from the convoy... they never had any money in them. They're filled with explosive gel. And worse, the dam is right in front of the valley surrounding Giapan."
Severus sighed, "So that was his plan all along! He kidnapped the commander's daughter to lure him here and set a trap. A genius one, I might add."
"Genius?" Sokka's mouth dropped. "How can you say that?!"
"I didn't mean it as a good thing. Just because he's wrong about doing this doesn't mean the plan itself isn't smart."
"Smart or not, we need to get to the dam and stop him!"
Once free, Sokka rubbed his sore wrists as he got up and began making a run for the exit with Severus, only to find their way blocked by Pipsqueak and the Duke.
"Sorry guys, but we can't let you go," Pipsqueak declared.
Silently cursing himself for not bringing his wand, he prepared his hands and wordlessly double casted a Stupefy at the two of them, knocking both out.
"I can never get over how you can do that," said Sokka.
"Lead the way."
Nodding, Sokka stepped over the two Freedom Fighters and exited the hut, with Severus in tow.
"Well, that's more than enough," Aang announced as he stretched his arms. "And I'm not just saying that to be lazy."
Looking at the number of events they had opened up with their waterbender since Jet led them to the riverbank, the two nodded in agreement. Smiling with delight as the river flowed with large amounts of rushing water.
"Let's go meet up with Jet at the reservoir."
"Um, didn't he want us to meet up with him back at the hideout?"
"Well, we finished early," Katara smiled. "I'm sure he'll be happy to see us."
Aang's face dropped, "Yeah, I'm sure he will."
"Come on, lets go."
Severus and Sokka ran as fast as they could, ignoring the throbbing pain from their legs and lungs as they pushed themselves to hurry. Soon, they arrived at the cliff, overlooking the dam and the valley.
"We need to get down there and stop him!" Sokka declared.
"You go on ahead," Severus turned towards the village of Giapan. "I'll catch up."
Sokka frowned, "Alex, I'm going to need you on this. Jet won't listen to us, but maybe we can get his followers to listen. Maybe get them to listen to you."
"Just go! I need to try something!"
Wanting to protest, Sokka sighed and began running down the pathway of the cliff.
Getting into a stance, he focused on the village and slowly began chanting a spell.
As Katara and Aang approached the reservoir, they were stunned to find a dam there, with several of the Freedom Fighters stacking barrels in front of it.
"Hey, what's going on?" Aang called out.
Everyone turned towards them, surprised that they were there.
Among them, Jet appeared, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Katara? Aang? I thought I told you to head back to the hideout!"
"Jet, what's going on?" Katara demanded, taking in everything around them. "What's in those barrels? And why are you putting them in front of the dam?"
Aang's eyes widened as he recognized the gel that was painted on the wooden wall.
"Katara, that's exploding jelly!"
The waterbender gasped, "Why would you need that?"
"Because he's-"
"Going to blow up the dam!" voice cried out from behind, making them turn to find Sokka running towards them, stopping as he reach Katara and Aang. "Tell them, Jet! Tell them what you told me before tying me up with the Fire Nation lady back at the hideout!"
Katara's eyes began to tear up, trying to comprehend what she hearing and seeing, "Jet- you wouldn't-"
Jet lowered his head and sighed, before facing her again, "What he says is true. We're going to blow the dam and flood the valley, wash the Fire Nation away."
"You- you wouldn't do that!" she began to silently sob.
"Yes, I would, Katara. I'm sorry that you had to find out like this. I didn't mean to lie to you about what my real plans were. I was hoping... that maybe afterwards... you would understand. But... we need to do this. If we don't, the Fire Nation will burn this place down and ruin our chance at stopping them."
"I thought you were about the people!" the girl cried out, losing herself in her mixed emotions. "I thought you were better than the Fire Nation! When I saw you with those kids back at the hideout, giving a speech that inspired them... I thought you were different!"
"Everyone you see here has been through the same things as you, Katara!" Jet yelled, his eyes filled with hatred and rage. "We've lost mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, families, our lives! All because of them! When they attacked, no one was there to stop them! When we struck back, it was us who were the enemy! What kind of justice is that?! The bullies doing whatever they want and getting away with it, while the people who suffer can't lift a finger without being called a criminal?! I'm doing this to free the valley from them!"
"You're a hypocrite if you believe that!" Sokka countered. "Who will be left if you do this? Who will truly be free? The very people who live in these lands will die as well!"
"You can't do this, Jet!" declared Aang. "Nothing good will come from this."
"WHAT I'M DOING IS FOR THE GREATER GOOD!" Jet screamed at the top of his lungs, letting out of the contained anger he was holding.
Meanwhile, the Freedom Fighters stared at them, conflicted and confused. Some looking towards each other as they began to wonder who was right and who was wrong.
"The greater good," came another voice from behind them, restating the words. "Now where have I heard that excuse before?"
Everyone turned to see Severus standing a couple of feet away, sweat rolling down his forehead and arms.
"You claim your doing this for the greater good. But the greater good of what, exactly? Yourself? Is this all just to make yourself feel justified in hurting others? To unleash that hatred you hold within? Or is to make things easier?"
Jet glared, "You don't understand, Alex. None of you do."
Severus scoffed, beginning to laugh, "Oh, trust me, I understand more than you think."
"No, you don't!"
Severus looked him in the eyes, slowly walking forward.
"You feel cheated. All of you. In some way, you believe you have the right to be mad at the world, for all the things that have happened to you. Whether it be someone you lost or something you were denied to experience in life, your tormentors only left pain and anger behind for you to bare. But it wasn't what they did that drove you past the breaking point, it was that they got away with it. Without a single bit of justice being served to punish them for what they did."
The Freedom Fighters looked at each other, from sad to angry expressions, the words hit home for them all.
Except for Severus's voice, everything grew silent as the sky turned yellow and orange from the setting sun in the distance.
"And maybe you have the right to feel that way. To want justice or revenge. So you go out of your way to make sure no one can hurt you ever again, vowing to take your anger out on those responsible for your hardships and pain."
Jet's head lowered.
"But sooner or later, that anger, that bitterness, that one thing that keeps the hate alive inside... it changes you. You find yourself hurting others in your journey to get vengeance against those who wronged you. You take joy in it, including the fact that you have the will and power to inflict it. But you can't see the damage you leave in your wake, because you can't let go. All you can think of and remember is what they did to you. You're need to make them pay always grows stronger, a need that will become your mirror of obsession."
He paused, feeling his heart tighten in his chest and his eyes threating to unleash tears that were building up. Fear, regret, shame and guilt all rushed in at once as a memory resurfaced within his mind.
"And then one day, you find yourself crossing a line. A line that will shatter that mirror. Slowly making you realize that what you hate the most is what you are becoming. Your right to be angry at the world will no longer outweigh your heart. The burden of regret and pain will begin to crush you. And just when you think you can't endure anymore hardships, you find yourself against one more painful than anything you have ever felt before. You will beg for forgiveness. You will beg for release from this pain."
All of the Freedom Fighters were looking down at the ground, including Jet. While Aang, Katara and Sokka looked at Severus with confused, shocked expressions.
"But none shall be granted. Because deep down, you know you deserve this. Maybe at first, you will deny it and try to justify yourself. But you will realize that it is no longer the blame that points towards your enemies... it now points towards you. And slowly, you will come to the conclusion that it is you who must pay. That it is you who must live with this burden for the rest of your days. And the times you remember of what the world has done to you, no longer holds any influence or justification."
He was now standing in front of Jet, meeting his eyes as he looked up at him.
"If you do this, you'll just be more the same as the very people who took your parents. You'll just be another tyrant, who thinks avenging his pain is worth more than the people he will hurt in his path."
Something broke within Jet as he stared into his eyes, a look that told him everything he needed to know. It felt as if an entire pathway of mirrors were being shattered all at once, a realization hitting him in the face.
Getting himself together, he turned to his Freedom Fighter and nodded towards them, "Let's get these barrels away from here. And someone get the gel off of the wood."
"We'll handle that," said Katara as grabbed Aang's hand and walked towards the dam, beginning to use their waterbending to remove the gel.
As the rest of the Freedom Fighters got to work, a kid came running from the woods down ahead.
"The Fire Nation is coming! The Fire Nation is coming!"
Jet's eyes shot wide open, "You're sure?"
The kid came to a stop, breathing heavily, "Yes, I counted a few of them! A small scouting group!"
"How long until they get here-"
"Hold it right there!" a voice commanded, making them all turn to a group of ten firebenders heading their way.
Jet grabbed ahold of his swords and charged towards them, "Keep working on removing those barrels!"
Severus and Sokka joined him as they ran at their opponent, hoping to keep them busy while the others did their job.
Jet managed to take down three, using his hook swords to trip two and head-butt another. Sokka used his club to whack one soldier on the head, dodging a few fireballs that were sent his way. Severus took four down with the Stupefy charm, turning to face the final two who were left.
Aiming for both, his eyes widened as the other took aim at the Freedom Fighters, already forming a fireball in his hand. Acting as quickly as he could, he casted two Stupefys and hit them, redirecting the fireball as it flew out of the one soldier's hand. But its change wasn't enough as it flew into the air and hit the side of the dam, causing one of the barrels to explode.
Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and froze, staring at the explosion with wide eyes.
A few seconds went by and nothing happened, revealing that the barrel was too far away to cause a chain reaction with the others. But then a loud cracking sound echoed around them, with water breaking through the wood.
"Everyone, run up the cliff! Get to higher ground!" Sokka shouted.
Without being told twice, everyone made a run for the pathway up the cliff, hearing the whole dam beginning to break from the force of the water. Just as Severus and Jet were the last ones making their way up, the whole dam broke and a large wave of water came rushing out at high speed, washing away everything within its path.
Once reaching the top of the cliff, they all started out towards the valley, watching as the water overtook everything.
Katara closed her eyes and felt the tears flow down her cheeks, immediately turning towards Jet with pure disgust and anger.
"JET, YOU MONSTER!" she cried, punching him in the chest. "YOU KILLED THEM!"
"No, Katara, look!" Sokka grabbed ahold of her and showed her what was happening.
Everyone watched with shock as the water began to circle around the village and its surrounding fields, refusing to come anywhere near it. As if a shield was protecting it.
"What-" Jet was at a loss of words. "How- how is that possible?"
Severus sighed with relief, "Looks like my protection charm worked, despite not having my wand with me."
"You did that?!" Smellerbee's mouth dropped.
Jet slowly turned to face him, his face full of shock and fear, "What- How- Who are you?! What are you?!"
Severus rolled his eyes as he remembered Zuko once demanding the same questions.
"The protection charm will keep the waters from entering, just long enough until the river has receded."
"So, everyone there is safe?" Katara asked, hope and relief in her voice.
Severus nodded, "Anyone within the perimeter of the shield is safe. But those outside of it... I'm afraid there was nothing I could do for them."
As they watched the water continue to flood the valley and begin to recede, Severus turned towards the woods behind them, "We should get back, before they send out search parties. They'll know it was us who was responsible."
"You mean, them who were responsible," Katara whispered under her breath, sending chills down Jet and all of the Freedom Fighters' spines.
Severus ignored her comment as he began walking away, being followed by everyone else into the forest.
Only Jet remained, looking out towards the valley before him. His heart sank at the sight of the water covering everything, unable to fathom that it was he who put this into motion and almost went head in doing it on purpose. He silently thanked the Spirits for Alex being there to put the shield or whatever he called it over the village.
But as he stood there, a realization slowly entered his mind and heart, making everything darken around him. He felt something he hadn't felt in so long. A feeling that suddenly turned his chest into a bottomless pit, sucking everything into it. He felt as if he would cry and possibly throw-up, unable to face the reality of what had just happened. What could have happened.
The words from Severus's speech sank in and he began to feel so much regret, fear, shame and guilt in those seconds that felt like eternity. Even the day of his parents' deaths couldn't amount to what he was currently feeling. A feeling that he would always remember for the rest of his days. Even if his original plan didn't succeed, he was left with a picture of what would have happened if he had.
Turning away in shame and guilt, he began making his way back to the hideout, head hanging low.
So, how'd you like it?
I really wanted to change things up a bit and add my own version from the 'Jet' episode. As I said, not a fan of the character or the episode that much. I apologize for omitting parts that were in the cartoon.
The speech from Severus to the Freedom Fighters was heavily inspired from a scene in The Blacklist, episode 'The Stewmaker' (number 1x04). In it, Raymond Reddington tells a story to the episode's main antagonist at the end. I won't spoil it, but I wanted to do something similar in this chapter.
Special thanks to everyone who has left a review and for adding this story to your 'Favs/Alert' lists.
I apologize for any grammar problems. I'm trying to work on it and get them fixed, including any continuity errors.
If you guys are interested, please check out my other stories, Redemption and the Unknown Hero. Both of them involve a similar premise with Severus Snape as a teenager.
See you guys Chapter 19! ;)