Here is the third installment—
Sorry if it seems less then perfect, but shortly after I started this fic I underwent rather wounding losses…
Nevertheless I've decided to continue, so let's get on with Part Three.
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"We're after firebenders," Jet said, smirking wide as Zuko's arms began to lift offensively. He turned his head to the side and nodded. Pipsqueak stepped back; grabbing the rope he'd slid down on, and jerked it. It snapped and pooled around his shoulder and arm, where he picked it up and stretched a yard or so infront of him.
Zuko's eyes widened. What were they planning to do with him?
In a quick offensive moment, Zuko quickly lowered himself and swung his leg at Jet's, flames emitting from his heel. Jet leapt back, and Zuko jumped up after him, arms swinging at him, unleashing flares. Jet smirked and evaded the embers and fire, his arms reaching behind him, waiting for the precise moment and then—
SWISH
Before Zuko knew what had gone on, his palm was facing Jet, ready to unleash flames, but on the other hand, one of Jet's knife now sat in slicing position of his hand, the Freedom Fighter Leader's other arm carelessly left as his side.
Zuko didn't move his hand. Jet put pressure to the dagger, and Zuko felt his skin being cut.
Before long, he felt a bit of warm—
FLASH!
In a quick movement, he'd brought his leg around, hitting Jet over the head. An awful crack had been given from the attack, and Jet collapsed to his side, the knife spiraling out of his hand. Yet he quickly sat up and held his head, glaring at Zuko as the prince stepped on his (Jet's) chest. Zuko smirked, and Iroh's reminder flowed through his brain. "One must always be wary where danger is imminent…" He held up his hand infront of Jet's face, but before a flame was sparked…
"Ugh!" Zuko kicked around angrily as Pipsqueak bound him in rope, having snuck behind him while occupied with Jet. The Freedom Fighters laughed at Zuko's struggles, and before long, Zuko was completely helpless. He flicked his wrists around, embers shooting off them, but the ropes barely charred. Jet grinned as he stood up, narrowing his eyes at the flailing prince. "Do you really think we'd use flammable rope against our prey?" he asked, and Zuko threw him a glance of pure hatred. "You will pay for this!" Zuko snarled, and he closed his eyes. "There is a regiment here—they'll find you and make you pay for this…"
Jet rolled his eyes, then glanced back at the rest of the Freedom Fighters. They too, rolled their eyes. "Of course you will. But while we wait for that—" Sarcasm had soaked Jet's tone. "Allow me to read your plan we have for you until that regiment comes marching in… Sound good?"
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"Aang---Aang wake up. Please," Katara urged in a desperate whisper, shaking the Avatar with nervous hands. Aang's eyes opened, and immediately sneezed. He flew backward on Appa's back, and nearly tumbled off. Katara grabbed for him, and helped him back up.
Aang clung to the fluffy bison's soft fur. "What is it Katara?" he asked, sniffling.
Katara was giving him a look of pure worry. "I'm—I'm worried about the fire," she lied. The Freedom Fighters, Jet, and their home were what were really on her mind, however. Zuko, too…
"And I thought I saw some of those berries right where the forest and foliage was burning!"
Aang's eyes widened, and he sat upright. "We have to go back! They only grow in one spot in this forest, Katara!" he said, a look of hope spreading across his pallid face. He whirled around and clambered onto Appa's head, and began speaking with the bison.
Katara frowned, and looked back towards the smoke trailing out from the canopies. Before long, they were turned around and heading towards it, Aang's smiley self now only showing his back to Katara as he eagerly eyed their destination. Sokka had again remained silent, though had muttered repetitively under his breath that he wasn't going to be leaving Appa when they landed. Katara tried to ignore him, and that.
She felt horrible that she had lied to Aang, and knew consequences would await them and her when the time came, but until then she knew what she had to do.
She had to get there in time…
She had to help them!
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Sooo… there is Part Three! Some questions answered, some not, and new ones have been made! Will Aang, Katara and Sokka get back in time to—
Well, to do something about all this? Who knows how Katara's plan will turn out, and the same goes for Zuko. What does Jet have in store for the banished prince?
Part 4 will hopefully be up today, or tomorrow.