Part 2—
I hope you like it everyone.
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Zuko stared towards the archer, almost frozen on the spot. However, when the arrow was pulled back in the bow to fire, the prince snapped to his senses and quickly shot his hand out. A wave of fire wisped across the air as the arrow struck forward and became caught within the flames – easily disintegrating. This was repeated several times: Zuko backing up, admitting flames, and the arrows disappearing within the fiery depths. Before long, the lone archer retreated with his –or– her ammo depleted.
Zuko's teeth grit. He turned back in the direction he'd seen Appa and the group only a few minutes ago – yet they had vanished. He turned and laid view over the flames now consuming the woodland area, with no sight of Iroh, the rhinos and the rest to be seen.
He was alone.
A small rustle from behind drew his attention forth, and he whirled around, arms smoking and held up at ready. He glared out, and finally shouted. "Show yourself!"
And show themselves they did.
Ropes slid down from the trees, and coming down them were the oddest looking soldiers one might see. In order, there was The Duke, Longshot, Pipsqueak (on a fairly thicker rope), Sneers, and Smellerbee.
Longshot was holding a bow, though no arrows filled his strap holder. His black eyes glared intensely at Zuko, and the prince got a good look at his attackers.
And then, of course, he scowled. "If you're after the Avatar, he's mine," he said venomously, showing no fear to any of the Freedom Fighters.
Sneers laughed, and then Pipsqueak smacked him hard in the stomach. Sneers coughed and keeled over, and Smellerbee had a chance to giggle. Pipsqueak rolled his eyes, then grinned maliciously at Zuko, stepping towards him. Zuko was somewhat taken aback by his size, but held his ground, despite the fire that seemed to be horseshoe-ing around the area.
"We aren't after the Avatar," Pipsqueak informed Zuko, and there was another rustle from the trees.
Zuko blinked and turned his attention to the canopies, then back to Pipsqueak, waiting for him to continue.
But he never did.
Instead, another rustle was given, and making an appearance by walking out from behind a tree and the Freedom Fighters… was Jet.
The Freedom Fighters stepped away so he could pass, and Pipsqueak even glanced back, and stepped back. Jet approached Zuko fearlessly, a twig hanging out from the corner of his mouth, eyebrows slanted in a smugly confident fashion. And then, he spoke:
"We're after firebenders."
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Appa soared over the dense forest of trees and secluded treehouse. Aang was curled up in the notch of Appa's small neck, eyes narrowed tiredly. Katara sat next to him, a hand resting on his shoulder. Sokka glared into the trees, secretly hoping that the entire place would burn down. Then again, that was very unlikely. If they were willing to shoot fire, they probably had just a well a plan to put it out when they were finished.
"Are you going to be okay, Aang?" Katara asked.
Aang closed his eyes. "Uhuh."
Katara smiled warmly, and patted his shoulder before moving carefully over to Sokka. "Are you going to be okay too, Sokka?" she asked a bit more sarcastically. Sokka snorted indignantly. "I'm going to be just fine. As long as that place goes to ashes. Jet, the freedom fighters… Zuko too. That'd be just GREAT!"
Katara frowned, and looked back down at the smoke trailing out from some trees.
Jet… and Zuko.
"Aang… Maybe we should—" Katara looked back at him, but he was already asleep, looking pale. Sokka went silent, and Katara glanced back down at the forest.
"…"
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Kind of short, but I'm REEAALLY low on time.
So what's Jet going to do to Zuko? What will happen with the fire? Is Aang going to be okay?
Wait and find outother questions too in Part 3…