Sneers

It's been a tough couple of weeks for Sneers, even after he agreed to help Shun search for Jet, he's still in a state of pain due to the uselessness of his information, he wasn't sure whether to be glad his information was useless or not, after all, he agreed to help them to make the pain stop, only for his help to increase the severity of the pain..

"So we went to the exact location you told us about, Sneers.. Jet is no where to be found.. there is one thing i hate more than betrayal and that's lying.. why did you lie to me, Sneers?" Said a fuming Shun, who was standing not two feet away from Sneers who was tied to the wall again with his clothes stripped away, with all his prohibited areas showing again, and a body full of bruises and burns, his life got a little better as soon as he told Shun about the location of Jet, now it's back to its former hell-ish state.

"I told you that's the area we agreed on with Jet, he must have changed the location as soon as he knew you captured me, it's not my fault!" Sneers screamed, and Jeri, Shun's right hand man, burned him again on the area that was supposed to be his middle finger, that's correct they pulled off both middle fingers as well, now Sneers only has two fingers on each hand, the index and the thumb, Sneers screamed from the pain caused by Jeri until he stopped, Sneers dropped his head in exhaustion feeling the need to cry but he couldn't due to the lack of tears in his eyes, he cried a lot since Shun captured him..

"I warned you about yelling at me, Sneers.. whenever you do it you remind me of my father, and i don't like being reminded of my father." Shun said faking a hurt face.

Sneers nodded rapidly, "I'm sorry, Master.. I'm sorry, it'll never happen again." Sneers replied tiredly and Shun smiled.

"Good Boy. Now, Sneers, i need you to think with me, Where do you think Jet is hiding? I know he abandoned the countryside of Yu Dao, along with your girlfriend whom i assume he is banging right now.." Shun said, and his crew chuckled, but Sneers didn't find the energy to be angry, he was too exhausted and in pain, so Shun continued as he got closer to Sneers' face, "I need to capture Jet to cement my domination over the colonies, to make my mentor Zhao proud, don't you want that for me, Sneers? don't you want me to be happy? answer me." Shun asked.

Sneers pulled his face up to look at Shun, "Of course.. i.. want you.. to be happy, Master.." Sneers said tiredly, he got used to telling Shun what he wanted to hear, in fact he mastered that art.

Shun smiled again and he put his hand on Sneers' cheek, "I want you to be happy too, Sneers.. I don't want you to endure more pain, you deserve to be happy.. so tell me, Sneers.. if you were Jet, where would you hide when you get out of the countryside?" Shun asked, Sneers knew he was being nice only to get the information out of him, but as soon as Sneers voices his disapproval, he would burn him again, perhaps this time even worse than before, he might take out his leg this time, or his whole arm, Sneers couldn't risk it, he has to tell Shun right now.. But will he betray his friends to save himself? He asked the spirits to forgive him, his friends might be able to save themselves..

"The old forest hideout." Sneers said all of a sudden, catching Shun off-guard.

"What?" Shun asked.

"The old forest hideout, that's where Jet would always go when his location is discovered, he gets back to our old hideout during the rebellion, The old forest hideout." Sneers said.

"A forest hideout, you say? it won't be an ordinary mission, if we go with our current strategies we will have a lot of casualties." Jeri said to Shun, Shun thought about it for a while.

"A lot of casualties but the prize would be capturing Jet? Count me in." Shun said, Sneers fought the urge to make a face of disgust in Shun's face, this man is a psycho, not that he didn't know it before, but this decision enforced it.

"I hope you know what you are doing, Shun." Jeri said, getting outside to inform the men of the mission and prepare them for what's coming. Shun got closer to Sneers until he was only inches away from his face, "You won't have a second chance this time, are you sure?" Shun asked, Sneers mulled it over but not for long, Sneers looked into Shun's eyes and nodded, Shun allowed a smile to grace his lips again, "Let's do this." Shun said signaling his men to untie Sneer and dress him to take him with them.

Toph

A month ago, Had someone told her that life would have been harder outside of prison, she would have probably smacked him on the mouth. Now, Toph wasn't so sure..

Ever since their break out of prison, they have been taking residence inside Lord Beifong's estate, a house that can only be preceded by the earth king's castle, yet it felt nothing more than a luxurious prison, Toph had always been a free bird doing whatever she wants, but ever since she arrived at the house two weeks ago, she's been nothing more than a prisoner in her own house, she couldn't go anywhere except for the estate garden and even there she never felt truly free, she missed the days when she used to sneak out of the house and go to the earth rumble tournaments, she can't even do that anymore because she knew that would put everyone in danger, so she stayed in her place with the same firenation prison feelings, and Zuko wasn't even helping at all..

Toph swore that she would never be the one to start the talk to Zuko to break ice with him after his outburst when they first arrived, she convinced herself that he would be the one to talk first and apologize for what he did, but ever since then he has been locking himself inside his chamber, only coming out to receive food and beverages from the servants and then locking himself up again in his own chamber prison, he even had a privy in his own chamber so he hadn't come out to relieve himself, and Toph felt infuriated by that, she didn't know why but the fact that Zuko never apologized for his actions made her angry, What is that knucklehead doing in his room anyways? at least i have Luna and my family talking to me, what's he doing there? Toph thought..

it was evident that Zuko just wanted to lock himself up in a chamber so he might get a chance to comfort himself for his actions, but two weeks is a very long period of time, even for a hothead like Zuko, but then again Toph told herself that she would never understand how Zuko is feeling right now, she might have knocked out some hotheads a long the way, killed some as well, but she would never understand the feeling of killing your own father, her own father might have been an ass sometimes, but killing him has never even crossed her mind, it was ludicrous to say the least, Zuko might have had his reasons, but the thought still made Toph nauseatic, she was outside after all when it happened, and she felt the firelord and the lady beside him gasp their last breathes after Zuko fired the lightening in their direction and then slice the throat of his father with the two handed sword..

It was brutal to say the least, Toph winced so hard that her family asked her what was wrong with her, and Toph didn't answer them at the time, telling them she was fine, but the fact was she wasn't, she knew everything that would follow, after all the person that just got killed is the damned firelord, a process like this would change the entire world forever, not to mention change the war, and of course, change Zuko.. Toph couldn't take it anymore, she needed to talk to him, even if he doesn't want to talk to her he would listen, and that was enough for her, Toph got off her bed making her way to the door, and through her shenanigans she never felt that someone was on the other side of the door, she opened simultaneously with the person knocking on the door, so the person knocked on her head instead, they both jumped back in surprise and then relaxed their posture as soon as they knew who is which..

"Zuko?" Toph questioned, and she felt him scratching the back of his head.

"Yeah.. Uhm, i was uhm.. Where were you headed?" Zuko answered with a question of himself, obviously nervous and still scratching the back of his head.

"I was.. headed to the bathroom, Where were you headed?" Toph asked, hiding the fact that she was headed to his room.

"Yeah.. uhm, i was knocking on your.. door, so obviously.. i was uhm.. checking on you, how have you been?" Zuko answered and Toph felt stupid for asking, of course he was headed towards her room.

"I am good.. i guess.. how about you?" Toph asked, and she felt Zuko fighting within himself to get something out, Toph hoped he would finally get it out, and he finally got it out..

"I am great.. Hey, listen, Uhm.. i came her to apologize for my.. uhm behavior last time we spoke and uhm-" Zuko stopped when Toph interrupted.
"It's okay, Zuko.. nothing to-" It was Zuko's turn to interrupt.

"Please let me finish, i've finally managed enough courage to come and talk to you, so please allow me to finish.." Zuko said, and Toph looked at him weirdly through sightless eyes but eventually she nodded, Zuko continued, "I came here to tell you, you are one of my best friends, and uhm.. you are the only one i have left in the world, I lost my uncle, i lost Aang, and apparently.. uhm i lost Mai and Azula too, so, i have no one in the world but you, and yes, you do matter and your opinion is of high importance to me, uhm, so obviously what i said was due to personal conflict i guess.. uhm, i wasn't feeling good, i still am.. but uhm, i can't postpone this anymore, i felt the need to apologize to you, and beg your forgiveness for what i said.. please, will you forgive me?" Zuko finished, looking at the ground, and Toph knew he was doing all he can to hold his tears in place, it made her emotional, and.. satisfied? maybe..

Toph kept looking at the ground until taking all of this in, noticing Zuko's apprehension, but she had to ask herself if she truly forgave him or not, after all his words did hurt her deeply.. did she forgive him? she doesn't know,

"Are we going to keep talking outside? i am getting a little chilly over here, why don't you come in?" Toph asked, avoiding the topic for the moment until she gets rid of the indecisiveness.

"Oh, Uhm.. Yeah, Sure.." Zuko answered stepping inside Toph's room, taking a look around, and then taking a seat on her bed, Toph followed suit sitting beside him.

"So, What were you saying again?" Toph asked, and Zuko got all nervous again, Toph fought the urge to chuckle at Zuko's antics, it was somehow satisfying that he was getting all nervous around her, made her feel that she was this much important to him.

"Uhm.. i don't think i can repeat what i said again, Toph.. long story short, i apologize for what i said." Zuko said making sure his nervousness is showing, of course he had no hand in it, but he was doing a terrible job at hiding.

Toph decided to cut to the chase and stop playing games, "Listen, Zuko.. i don't know whether i forgive you for what you did yet or not, but i know where that came from.. and you are one of my best friends too, and the closest to me right now if you ask me, i know i have my family her, but i am not as comfortable around them as i am around you.. but what you said.. it really hurt.. and you know me i am not the easiest person to hurt so, that would give you an idea or two about the effect of what you said.." Toph said.

"Again, i am terribly sorry, i feel bad for what i said too, and i swear it will never happen again.." Zuko said, but Toph still felt like they were avoiding the main topic, so she decided to make the first move.

"Zuko, i wanted to ask you something-" Toph started but stopped as Zuko interrupted her.

"Don't.. Please, Don't.. i am not ready to talk about that yet.." Zuko said looking at the ground, Toph felt like arguing but she decided against it, she just nodded and it was pure silence that ensued for almost three minutes afterwards, just two friends sitting in silence, until Zuko broke it, "Why did Mai leave again?" Zuko asked breaking Toph out of her thoughts.

"Oh, I told you she said she would never leave Azula." Toph said, and it was like the thought of Azula's condition just dawned on Zuko.

"Oh my spirits.. I totally forgot about that.. Azula doesn't deserve this." Zuko said putting his hand on his face in agony.

"Uhm, yeah, she kinda does if you ask me, but.. i am sure she can manage, she tougher than you that's for sure." Toph said, and she felt Zuko smiling at her remark.

"Yeah, she always has been." Zuko said, and Toph was surprised.

"Woah, you agree with me? i thought that would have been a good tease, thanks for ruining the fun, dumbass." Toph said mockingly disappointed, and Zuko chuckled this time, perhaps for the first time ever since they broke out of prison.

"Truth is i never knew my sister had all this good inside her, i have always thought of her as the evil monster who deserves to be locked away forever, turns away my sister has good inside her, and she showed it when she broke us out of prison, i think it was Aang who implanted that inside her." Zuko said thinking fondly of Aang.

"Aang did implant something inside her, something sticky and white.." Toph quipped, Zuko didn't seem to understand at first, but as soon as he got the quip he broke out laughing, he laughed so hard that Toph joined him seconds after laughing with him, both holding their bellies and laughing like it was the first time they did so..

Zuko laughed so hard that Toph felt him wiping a tear from his eye, "Oh my spirits, that was a good one.. although i should take offense for that but damn every time i remember that they both got it on i laugh so hard.. Aang and Azula? Like Holy Shit." Zuko said still chuckling a bit.

"Yeah, i felt the same thing when i figured it out, Aang didn't tell me but i caught him and he didn't even have the guts to lie.. Aah, the good old days, i would trade anything for those." Toph said with a nostalgic smile, even though it's been months since they last saw Aang, it felt like years for Toph and Zuko, the events that occured during that period of time could make you feel old.

"Yeah, the good old days, The thing i would trade for them to get back.. My uncle, Aang.. My old life.." Zuko said grievously, and Toph suddenly punched him in the arm, Zuko winced so hard.. "Ow! What was that for?" Zuko yelled.

"You said you wanted the good old days back, that was just a tip." Toph said, and they both broke out laughing again, though Zuko was still rubbing his sore arm.

Toph felt like she finally had her old Zuko back, maybe not fully back, but that was enough for her to make her hopeful again.

Aang

'One of the things i love about life is that you can go as far as you could, and still never reach the end, it's one of life's merits that the possibilities are infinity, otherwise life should have ended by the death of my son.. nothing can be more worthy of an ending than this, right? yet life kept on.. here's my lesson to you, son.. As long as you are breathing, it's never the end'

Those were the exact words that were said to him by his firebending master, mentor and father-figure, the late Master Iroh whose wisdom he cherished more than anything, Aang knew for a fact that Iroh was the wisest man alive, had he told Aang that he doesn't exist, Aang would have probably questioned his existence, and his words were the only thing keeping him from falling until this day..

It's been a very long and tiring journey but Aang and Senge were flying on Appa above the rendezvous point that Jet described in his letter, it was the forest where he first met Jet, Jet told him to keep flying until he finds a green flag above one of the trees, so Aang kept flying high above the trees scanning the place to find the flag, with Senge there to help him..

"What if they changed the rendezvous point? you know we are kinda late, so maybe they thought we weren't coming at all." Senge voiced his insecurities which didn't help Aang at all, Momo chirped scoldingly in Senge's face as if to tell him his friend is really in trouble, he doesn't need your discouraging words, Aang has been very anxious as it is.. he knows the place where he can meet The first Avatar, and he is delaying that to meet with Jet, sometimes he questions if he made the right choice by flying over to Jet instead of flying over to Avatar Wan's place immediately after his encounter with his spirit friend..

"Listen, Senge.. Jet has been my friend since forever, it's true i haven't seen him in a long time, but i know the guy, he would never do such thing, he would sacrifice himself for his friends.. Plus, it was Jet who sent us the letter not the other way around, so he obviously needs us." Aang reassured Senge, who still didn't look very convinced, but his look did turn to that of conviction as soon as his eyes fell on something, Aang followed Senge's line of sight to find the green flag flying high, he quickly reined Appa towards the position of the flag, and slowly they descended to the ground, they finally made it to Jet's base, Aang looked around, he remembered this place very well, where he spent some of his best war days, he smiled and jumped off Appa with Senge and Momo in toe..

"Now, what do we do?" Senge asked as soon as they landed.

"We wait." Aang responded with a smile, and they both waited.. and waited.. until they heard noises coming from the treetops, Senge assumed a fighting stance and Aang immediately put a hand in front of him, when Senge looked at him in surprise, Aang shook his head with the same smile on his face, reassuring Senge who dropped his stance afterwards.. finally the people making the noises from the treetops jumped off the trees and got in front of Aang.. a tall, handsome, young male warrior.. a beautiful and agile female warrior.. Jet and Kori Morishta looked better never looked better in Aang's eyes, and from the look on their own eyes, they feel exactly the same, with Kori apparently holding herself from crying, although Aang couldn't really assure it was from seeing him, she looked really in pain.

"Aang.." Jet finally found his voice, and he took a couple of steps towards The Avatar, they both jumped simultaneously to eachother's embrace, both laughing at the same time, "It's very good to see ya, buddy, we thought we lost you." Jet said as soon as they broke the embrace.

"You did.. but i guess i get a second chance.." Aang responded, and Jet smiled again.. Kori then got to Aang, as soon as she got in front of him, she couldn't help herself, she sobbed loudly and Aang immediately rushed to her embrace, "Kori, it's ok.. Wow, i never knew you missed me that much.." Aang said as he stroked her hair, trying to calm her down.

and Kori still didn't stop crying, but she did get out some words, "I did miss you, Aang.. but that's not the reason i am crying, they are torturing him." Kori said and Aang became utterly confused at this point, he broke the embrace to look at Kori.

"Who?" Aang asked, looking at Jet as well whose eyes were fixated on the ground for some reason.

"Sneers.. they captured him.. and who knows what terrible things that Maniac Shun is doing to him! We need to save him, Aang.. i don't wanna lose him.. please.." Kori pleaded, Aang had a lot of questions but he saved them for later, right now he just focused himself to finding sympathy and calming down Kori.

"Don't worry, Kori.. i promise i will do whatever i can to save Sneers, whatever plan you might throw to make the rescue, i am in.." Aang reassured her with a smile, he looked at Senge who nodded to him, as if saying he is in too, and as soon as Kori's sobbing stopped, Aang found himself asking, "So can someone explain to me what's happening now? Who's Shun? and why is he so dangerous?" Aang asked.

"Shun is the second-in-command of the rebel group who are taking over the firenation right now, but he was sent to the colonies to discipline the subjects in the colonies.. the man is very ruthless and cruel, he burns people for fun, Aang.. he took over the whole colonies in only three months, we are the only resistance left.. and this is because he burned everybody else who dared to oppose him, he captured and killed a lot of our friends, but Sneers is considered the big catch, as he is the only one he captured who was a part of our inner circle, he knows a lot of secrets and that's why we have been wary ever since, we knew Sneers told him some of our secrets including our hideout in the countryside of Yu Dao.. i am sure he told him about this hideout too, and that's why i cleared the area of all our friends and waited for you with only Kori by my side.. and that's because she wanted to, you know i would rather wait for you without a drama queen by my side, but you know it's how it is.." Jet finished teasingly.. and Kori sent him a murderous look, Senge chuckled lightly but Aang was more confused than ever.

"Then we need to get out of here immediately, if Shun found out about your hideout in the countryside, then he might be on his way here, why did you wait this long?" Aang said.

"We've been waiting for you.. question is, why did it take you this long to arrive?" Kori asked slightly annoyed with Aang's question, he scratched the back of his neck.

"A spiritual encounter." Aang replied, Jet and Kori had confused faces.

"Listen, i know it's weird, but we really ought to get out of here, now.. hop on Appa." Aang said and Kori and Jet did as they were told, Senge and Aang doing the same afterwards, Aang took Appa's reins and ascended with him, now they just have to get out of the forest and find Jet's friends, Jet told him of the place his friends are gathered in and Aang directed Appa towards the place..

"What will we do when we arrive at the base, Aang?" Jet asked from the saddle.

"As soon as we find the freedom fighters, we are gonna make plans to get The Firenation out of the colonies, and don't worry we are not alone, my friends are currently seeking help from the southern watertribe and Omashu forces, it'll be an easy battle and hopefully not a lot of casualties- AHHHHH!" Aang barely dodged a fireball that came their way.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Senge screamed, Kori and Jet peeked out of the saddle to see what's happening.

"LOOK, IT'S SHUN!" Kori said as she pointed at the person in front of a huge firenation battalion stationed in front of the forest, he was waiting for them to come out instead of pointlessly fighting in the forest, Aang realized as he dodged another fireball.

"KORI, LOOK! IT'S SNEERS!" Jet said as he pointed at the guy next to Jet, Kori had a look of horror on her face as she looked, Aang looked as well to find a Sneers.. Well, most of him anyways, he looked very wary, sick, burned and missing a few fingers..

"THAT SICK MONSTER! AANG, GET US DOWN NOW!" Kori screamed at the top of her lungs, as Aang barely dodged two fireballs at once.

"We CAN'T DO THAT, IT'S TOO RISKY!" Aang yelled back, and Kori rushed herself to the reins of Appa.

"I SAID TAKE US DOWN!" Kori screamed as she kept trying to take the reins from Aang, who kept pushing her back.

"ARE YOU NUTS! WE CAN'T SAVE HIM NOW!" Aang yelled pushing Kori's hands away, but it was too late, Appa started doing flips and became very disoriented in the air, Jet finally intervened, grabbed Kori and brought her back to the saddle.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! IF WE HEAD BACK THERE WE ARE ALL GONNA DIE AND THEN WE WILL HAVE NO CHANCE OF WINNING THIS WAR, IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?" Aang heard Jet yell at Kori in the back, Kori tried multiple times to get back at the reins, but Jet held her back.

"Please, i wanna do this, Please get us down.. GET US DOWN OR I'LL JUMP!" Kori said, Aang looked back in horror, he found that Senge was helping Jet as well holding Kori down.

"KORI, Please.. i said i will help you free him and i will keep my promise, But it's impossible to save him Now- AHH!" Aang was interrupted with a fireball barely missing Appa.. Appa roared and he started to get freaky again, Aang put maximum effort to get them out of there, but it was like Shun was following them step by step.. with Kori at the back losing her mind, and Shun following them, Aang found no choice but to take a leap of faith, he is going to save the situation no matter what..

"HOLD ON TIGHT!" Aang screamed, and he directed Appa's reins towards Shun's troops.. as soon as they got near them, he jumped out of the saddle with his staff and with a loud roar, he sent three fireballs at them, of course Shun didn't bring his forces to fight a firebender, they just came here to capture a couple of none-benders.. now, he was totally taken by surprise, as soon as the fireballs hit the ground, it made a huge explosion and the firenation soldiers were thrown back, except for some of them who covered themselves and hopefully Sneers was one of them.. Aang then took his staff and flew back to Appa, he took the reins and tried to get Appa to fly as fast as he could.

"YOU IDIOT! YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN YOURSELF KILLED!" Jet yelled still holding onto Kori.

"YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN SNEERS KILLED!" Kori yelled as well.

"Listen, can you please shut up until we arrive at camp and we will discuss this?" Aang replied annoyingly, Jet turned his attention to Kori.

"Kori, we will find a way to free Sneers, i promise.. Just keep it up until then, ok?" Jet pleaded with her.

"I wish i could, Jet.. it's too hard." Kori said grievously, but at least she no longer attempted to fly out of the saddle, and for that Aang was grateful.

Aang then had the chance to contemplate how stupid he was out there.. he was riding a flying bison, and he sent three fireballs to Shun's troops.. an Airbender who can firebend.. Now, the Firenation and the world are going to know that The Avatar is alive.