So, this is an idea I've had for quite a while. I didn't want to write a story immediately so I thought I'd test the waters with you guys with a one shot. Similar to Unstoppable, if you guys like the idea then I'll turn it into a proper book after I'm done with my current stories.
Note: Though it is not my intention, this oneshot may come off as offensive to some people. So, if you can't take fiction as simply fiction, or if you're too soft or get butthurt easily, I'd say don't risk reading this. If you do, don't report me or send stupid complaints saying I'm wrong for writing this; its a part of the culture the story is set in, and if you don't think so, you simply don't know the genre of music well enough.
Either way, let me know if you guys enjoyed the story and would like me to continue it. Peace.
Untitled Project:
"Jet!" Came a voice that sounded nothing like what everyone was used to. "Where you at?! Show yourself –"
"What do you want loser?"
Suddenly, Jet appeared among the crowd, glancing up at Aang who was standing on the roof of the short building.
"Ahh, there you are you pussy."
The crowd that had gathered all echoed various, loud 'Ohhh's' upon Aang's gutsy comment; everyone knew that Jet and his goons had tormented the boy for the better part of the year, so by calling him out so openly and insultingly, they knew Aang was surely inviting his own death.
"What? Surprised to see me?" Aang asked him, eyeing Jet from the roof as he pulled his black hoodie off his head, thus displaying his black eye and the many cuts on his face that Jet and his gang had awarded him with.
When Aang began speaking again, he did so in a manner and tone that was both foreign and yet familiar; normally people would catch him rapping to himself in a room or around a corner at school, his words flowing with the beat quietly as he didn't want to draw attention to himself. Everyone thought it was weird, save for Aang's friends; no one knew of the raw talent the teenager possessed except for them, and one other person, who was now quietly watching from afar.
The many students and teachers were now prepared to see Aang make a fool of himself; Aang would often stutter and choke when rapping publicly. Though all thought he'd never do it again after his last mess up. Yet, here he was, opening speaking in the same manner with a particular flow.
"What? Just cause' you humiliated me, you thought I'd run and hide…?"
There was a short pause, the crowd awaited his next words while Jet smirked to himself, thinking Aang was making a fool of himself – oh, how wrong he was.
"Well, clearly you've mistaken me for your father…" Another applause of 'Ohhh's' was heard before Aang continued,
"Cause' I'm not the man who took one look at your ugliness and decided to hit the road for life."
Yet another applause of 'Ohhh's' echoed through the lunch area. Among the crowd, one once smug Jet was now seething and crestfallen – never had he expected the young teenager to grow such balls that he'd openly berate him with the entire school as his audience. He knew in that moment; this was all karma.
Also, among the crowd, was a surprised and amused Sokka, an intrigued and worried Suki, an amazed and proud Toph, and a concerned and shocked Katara. Neither of the four had expected their shy and insecure friend to hop on top a roof, grab a microphone, and openly humiliate the boy who had made his life a living hell ever since he moved to the school. Aang had even dressed differently and had even gotten a haircut that definitely suited him – at least according to Katara, Toph and Suki, and many of the other girls among the crowd. Where Aang would normally dress in a simple white or orange t-shirt with black or grey shorts, he was now wearing a white tank-top, covered by a black hoodie, and blue skinny jeans with white air forces. Though his appearance was a shocker to many, the manner in which he spoke in and what he was saying drew more silent gasps from Katara and the crowd.
"Yeah, you beat me up – you and you're five other leeches,
These proud freedom fighters only fight when I'm at my weakest,
I'm surprised you actually try hitting girls up, we all know your secret…"
Suddenly, the lunch area was met with silence, everyone was holding their breath in anticipation for the shots Aang was about to fire – and they were rewarded graciously when Aang pointed a finger towards Jet, smirking as he uttered the next few words proudly.
"Yall got a whole group orgy going on…
And judging by his giraffe-like neck, he probably swallows the deepest,"
The crowd erupted in cheers. Aang grinned in victory while Jet seemed like a red-raging bull; itching at the chance to get his hands on the teenager who was laughing in amusement six feet above him. Grinning wildly, Aang sad down by the edge of the roof, his legs hanging off the side while he ignored the various protests of the teachers underneath him, begging him to get down and stop humiliating his fellow student.
The Gaang seemed the most shocked – other than Jet and his Freedom Fighters of course. Sokka and Suki were both surprised but at the same time knew that Jet had it coming. Toph seemed as proud as a parent usually is when their child takes their first steps; she had been edging the teenager to grow a backbone and stand up for himself lately, and now she couldn't be happier – Aang was being as cruel as they had been to him, well, maybe not as much… not yet at least. Katara on the other hand was concerned.
It was because of her that Aang had been so badly humiliated a week ago. Other than regularly beating him up, which Katara surprisingly wasn't aware of – Aang had kept it from her – Jet had used the Southern Water Tribe girl to taunt and humiliate the young Air Nomad. It was no secret to anyone that Aang had a crush on Katara, though she was rather oblivious to it. Katara, at the time, was too lost in her own crush on Jet to notice Aang, and she was too blind because of it to see that Jet was only using her. When Jet disguised a Smellerbee as Katara – rather convincingly, surprisingly – and led Aang to the back of the school which Aang assumed was void of prying eyes and ears, he got Aang to confess his feelings for the Katara.
When Aang finished his confession however, Jet revealed the girl to be Smellerbee, and in the distance, he led Katara on and kissed her right in front of Aang. Katara of course did not know that Aang was there – she was concentrating more on Jet due to finally having her teenage dream come true; with her crush sharing her feelings. It was only when the Freedom Fighters dumped lime-green goo onto the young Nomad, and an eruption of laughter made its presence, did Katara realise the reality of the situation. From a distance, she saw a rather distraught and 'betrayed' looking Aang with tears in his eyes, gazing at her and Jet with an expression that haunted Katara in her sleep. Katara instinctively reached out for him but he merely turned around and took off, leaving a trail of green goo as he disappeared into a corridor as the school bell rang.
Though Katara wasn't really to blame; she was after all as surprised and shocked as Aang was that day, she still couldn't help but feel guilty. When she saw the recording of the whole ordeal, which was posted online – sadly – she felt tremendous waves of shame wash over her. Aang had always looked out for her and had never knowingly hurt her – so, she felt her own heart breaking knowing that she had unknowingly hurt him. Though she was oblivious to Aang's feelings for her before, she was more upset that Jet had used her to hurt Aang – and hurt the teenager he did. Apart from catching a glimpse of the Air Nomad from around the corner, not Katara nor any of her friends had seen Aang for the remainder of the week. He had obviously skipped school and wasn't at home since Katara would've cornered him at school if he was, and there also wasn't any signs of life inside his house whenever she rang the doorbell. The one time she did see him though, he was conversing with a hooded figure who Katara recognised to be Zuko.
Zuko was an enigma, an outcast – just like Aang. Though Aang did have friends, he was still treated like a 'freak' by everyone around him. Zuko was similar in that regard, though Katara didn't know why – she guessed it could be due to his scar, or his personality. She had never been intrigued enough to speak to the teenager and nor did she want to, she wasn't getting good vibes from the boy and the only person who ever spoke to him other than his sister and her friends was Aang. However, Katara didn't think there was anything special about that; Aang was friendly with everyone, even Azula and the ones that bullied him, it was just in his personality to be open and accepting no matter the individual.
Now however, as Katara spotted Zuko leaning against a wall in the corner, his arms crossed, a gentle yet proud smile tugging his lips, she couldn't help but wonder if Zuko had anything to do with Aang's recent change in behaviour.
"Awww, look at the pussy now, the boy's distraught,
You probably don't know what that means do you?"
Aang asked Jet mockingly as he smirked at the frowning teenager.
"Let me explain - it's the same expression you had on your face when mommy told you daddy didn't love a monster like you at all."
"Go get him Twinkle Toes!" Toph shouted as she cheered Aang on, even Sokka and Suki seemed to be enjoying themselves – Katara however, seemed more worried than ever.
"You call yourselves Freedom Fighters, well whose freedom do you fight for?
You say you're about justice, well where I came from,
Justice isn't beating on people so you can further your own life force,"
A massive grin found its way onto Aang's face, and Katara and Jet both understood that meant nothing but trouble.
"That's just a bully seeking validation…
Cause he doesn't get it when a girl questions if he's already put it inside or…?" Aang shrugged nonchalantly, while Jet dipped his head in embarrassment and the sea of students laughed – Katara even noticed some teachers chuckling at Aang's dig at Jet.
Toph, Sokka and Suki's jaws had dropped onto the floor while Katara looked to them bewildered, "Did he – did he just indicate that Jet has a small…"
At that, Toph turned to the Southern Water Tribe beauty and smirked, "What, are you sad now that your boyfriend 'worm' has been exposed?"
"He's NOT my boyfriend!" Katara yelled, though no one could hear her as the crowds' cheers of approval muffled her voice enough for it to go unnoticed.
Despite being angered before, Jet now seemed just shy of upset and afraid. He knew that one day he'd push Aang to his limit, and on that day, he expected the teenager to just push back with his fists – though he learned now that words hurt just as much, if not even more.
Standing up on his feet, Aang trailed along the roof as he continued roasting Jet with such unseen confidence that he didn't need a beat to back him up – his flow of words was flawless enough.
"The more I think about it, there's no need to fight for freedom, you've already got it,
Trust me Jet, judging by the way you suck your own dick, it won't be a surprise when you do come outta' the closet."
"Holy fuck, he is showing no mercy," Sokka remarked, to which both Suki and Toph nodded while Katara tried to figure out a way to get Aang to stop.
Its not that she didn't feel Jet didn't deserve it, by all means he probably did, but this was so unlike Aang; he was kind, gentle and sweet, never bad mouthing anyone no matter how much they deserved it. So, with the way he was acting now – cold as the southern ice of her home in his approach, Katara feared what he might become if he continued down this path. Though she didn't know exactly what they were, she recognised that she harboured deep feelings for the teenager. Since he was her best friend, she thought it was nothing more than a strong friendship. However, after learning of Aang's feelings for her – though in a horrible way since it caused the both of them pain – Katara couldn't help but question her own feelings towards him. Were they as platonic as she thought?
Looking at him now, his newfound confidence, his new style of clothing, his haircut, his swagger – everything about him attracted Katara even more so than before. Yet, what he was saying made Katara fear that her best friend – and possibly so much more – was no longer the sweet and thoughtful person he was before. If he was, why would he openly humiliate Jet like this? He wouldn't even dream of it before, so clearly something had changed. It could be what happened to him the previous week, or it could also be…
Again, Katara thought of the outcast leaning against a wall, a proud smile still on his face while he laughed from time to time – 'Zuko could be responsible for Aang's sudden change of behaviour ', Katara thought to herself. 'I'll talk to him later', Katara noted – though she knew she'd do more than talk; probably rip him a new one, much like Aang was doing to Jet, that is if her suspicions were true.
"In fact, there is one among them who has fought for freedom,
Though, she isn't among us, because she found her freedom when she chose to leave him…"
Everyone wondered who Aang was alluding to, just then, his microphone was cut off. Since it was school property, they did have control over that at least, however, Aang came prepared.
The crowd roared in cheers when he pulled out a megaphone from behind him, "Don't worry, I brought back up!" His muffled voice echoed amongst the cheers.
"We should stop him," Katara suggested, looking towards her friends who seemed just as conflicted as her, save for Toph.
"Nah," she waved it off. "Aang needs to get this off his chest, plus, it's been a long time coming for your boyfriend."
"For the last time Toph!" Katara yelled again, though it was lost in the applause of the other students, "Jet is NOT my BOYFRIEND!"
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," Toph waved it off again, opting to rather sit back and enjoy the show – even though she knew that this was so unlike Aang, she also felt that he needed this; everyone often made fun of his fondness for rap, but Toph and the others knew how talented he was. The only curfew was that he was shy and often got stage-fright, so, seeing him openly express himself now filled her with much admiration and joy. She knew, from the various freestyle sessions she had with him that Aang's mouth could be a sweet blessing; he could morph such beautiful metaphors and double entendres that he could enchant the bitchiest of girls to falling in love with him – he was a natural charmer but was too shy to realise it. However, at the same time, Toph also knew that Aang's mouth and his words could also be the deadliest of weapons; he could utterly shatter your self-esteem and piss on its grave in mere seconds, and judging by Jet's facial expression in that moment, he was doing just that.
As the sea of students settled down, Aang's muffled voice echoed through the lunch area again, though this time, everyone had donned an expression of pure shock after registering what he had said.
"She died in a fire, and Jet claims it was an 'accident',
Though if I was his mother…
I'd probably start that fire and jump in it myself, just to be free from this disappointment of an accident."
The crowd hissed at the dig, everyone becoming somewhat silent as Aang continued.
"Okay, even I have to admit, he might be going too far…" Toph conceded, to which Katara gave a look that screamed, 'YOU THINK?'.
"What's the matter, why are you now so speechless?"
Aang crouched and eyed the stunned and distraught Jet.
"You always loved to run your mouth…
What? Does it hurt from sucking all that cock underneath the bleachers?"
Behind the crowd, a proud and happy Zuko cheered his friend on silently. Zuko was overjoyed he was able to get Aang to come out of the protective shell his friends kept him in – except for Toph, Zuko knew she would be loving this. It was truly disappointing that it took Aang getting humiliated by having his love for Katara mocked and berated in front of everyone while his crush unknowingly kissed Jet in his presence – but it was a long time coming.
Much like Aang, Zuko was mocked and berated at Republic High; save from his sister: Azula, and her friends Ty Lee and Mai: whom he had a crush on since childhood, Aang was the only other person who even acknowledged Zuko's existence, much less openly cherish a friendship with him. Similar to Aang, Zuko also possessed a fondness for rap and hip-hop, though no one except Aang and his sister and her friends knew of it. Since Zuko was royalty, his father: Ozai, didn't want him to dabble in 'affairs and hobbies reserved for lower ring peasants' – as he so respectfully put it. Though, unknown to Ozai, Zuko had actually been participating in the underground rap scene in Republic City for a while now; he'd participate in rap battles and would often perform under the alias: The Blue Spirit.
When he first met Aang, he saw the raw talent the teenager possessed, and Zuko wanted to help Aang reach his full potential – mostly because Aang was his best friend and Zuko wanted to make his gratification known. Though, when he first started, it was a challenge to try and rip the layers of shyness and walls of insecurities off him. Zuko urged Aang countless times to participate in rap battles or to get him up on stage and perform, but he'd always either run off or choke. That is why it was highly disappointing that it took such a public humiliation of his love for Katara for Aang to finally toughen up and stand up for himself. Zuko recognised how fond the younger teenager was of the Southern Water Tribe beauty, and though Zuko did acknowledge that she was pretty when Aang asked him what he thought of her, he also understood that she was not his type; 'too clingy, too mushy and too happy' – were his words. Aang and Zuko merely laughed at his reasoning, simply because of how true it rang despite sounding ridiculous. Other than that, Zuko respected and cared too deeply for Aang to ever backstab him by going after his crush, not that he even wanted to since he was already whipped by Mai. Nevertheless, he 'bro code' was something he valued too deeply to ever knowingly break it.
Despite all that, Zuko was quite happy for Aang; now he wouldn't be pushed around like he was previously – and judging by the way some of the girls in the crowd were beaming at him, Zuko guessed that Aang wouldn't struggle with girls any longer either. Zuko recognised that the teenager was a natural charmer, only, he was too shy to ever realise it. Now however, if Katara didn't share his feelings – with his shyness stripped off him – Aang would be too busy to be sulking over his unrequited love – that is, if Katara truly didn't return it, which Zuko felt she did. Why she hadn't acknowledged it already was beyond him.
"Face it Jet, you're nothing more than a despicable, insecure, little boy,
You use the pain Momma and Dadda caused you to lash out at others,
Because you're too afraid to admit the fact that no one who isn't mad or wild,
Would ever want to raise you as their child."
Another eruption of "Ohhh's" echoed through the lunch area, as well as the yells of various teachers demanding that Aang stop right that instant – which he obviously didn't.
"You used Katara just to get to me, and you're proud of that?"
At the mention of her name, Katara's ears and eyes perked up. 'Please don't bring me into this, Aang' – she silently begged. Its understandable that Katara didn't want her now 'crushed' crush (pun intended) for Jet to be announced school wide, for a second time.
"All of you who are cheering me now, you all laughed at me just a week ago,
Don't think I haven't forgotten that yall are as two faced as a coin would be,
Only difference is – when you flip over and switch sides,
Yall go from pussy eating dicks, to dick sucking pussies."
The Gaang all shared the same thought when they heard Aang's open declaration that had the crowd shook, 'He's so mad he's going off on everyone right now.'
"So, forgive me, but I will not forget what happened,
Yall were laughing at me before, now I'll be the one whose laughing."
With that, Aang 'dropped the mic' – so to speak, and he took off; running across the roof and jumping off it, only to climb onto and over the bridge that led to the classrooms on the upper levels. The teachers tried chasing after him, but he was already too far gone.
As she gaped at him, Katara decided it was time to question Zuko, only she found that he was also missing. Searching through the crowd, she frowned as she couldn't identify the scarred teenager among them. She felt conflicted regarding Aang now, however, she felt especially conflicted when she saw Jet's slouched, distraught and humiliated figure in the distance – hiding his face while the people in the crowd either laughed at him or whispered who knows what about him. Though Katara was still upset that Jet had used her to toy with Aang's feelings, and even though she was still mad at the Freedom Fighter for playing with her own feelings, she couldn't help herself as she felt a shred of sympathy for the teenager. Yes, she had kicked Jet in the balls after Aang ran from her that day, and yes, she did conclude that Jet did have it coming… at the same time, she still didn't think he deserved the humiliation Aang has just force fed him.
Besides the fact that she thought Aang would never do that in the first place – he was too kind and compassionate, Katara thought – she was more horrified with exactly how much it had affected Jet. He seemed like a shell of himself, like he had been stripped of the 'proud' and 'tough guy' façade and was now merely a distraught and lost boy. Even though Jet often ridiculed Aang and mocked the death of his Nation, Katara never thought Aang would ever return the favour, especially in such a mockful manner. From what Aang told her, this was a one-sided rap battle – Aang treated it like one as he was rapping up there, and he was shattering Jet's character as anyone would in such an event.
Even though Katara understood the whole idea, it didn't mean that she had to like it. It was barbaric, and cruel. Katara understood that everything Aang went through the previous week was akin to that, but she also understood Aang – or she thought she knew him.
"Well, I have to say that was the last thing I expected to happen," Katara heard Sokka say as she turned back around.
"I know right, its so unlike Aang," Suki commented.
"Oh, you guys are a bunch of lily livers," Toph shrugged it off, which bugged Katara to no end.
"Did you not see how he acted?! How he spoke?! What he said?!" Katara seethed, irate that Toph couldn't see how her best friend was acting so unlike himself. "Aang would never say anything akin to the things he just said!"
"Well," Toph began, crossing her arms as she glanced at the Southern Water Tribe girl, "people change, and judging by what he went through, I'd say he could've turned out worse."
At the mention of the ordeal between Katara, Aang and Jet that took place a week ago, Katara was instantly at a loss for words. She wanted to defend her point, to justify why Aang becoming cold, and calculating was not a good sign – she didn't want to lose her best friend – but she really didn't know how to respond to Toph. It would be another thing if Katara knew precisely how she felt about Aang, up until last week, she saw him as nothing but a close friend, now however, things were much different. With Aang's feelings for her out in the open, Katara felt like an idiot for not seeing it earlier – and so, she began questioning her own feelings for the teenager. Though it was true that she did find him quite attractive, she found that she liked his other qualities more; his kindness, generosity, compassion, thoughtfulness – they were all qualities Katara admired, especially since they were genuine. Thinking about it now, Katara recognised that the idea of being with Aang as more than a friend didn't sound all that bad at all – although somewhat foreign – she felt that she actually liked the idea.
However, with the way Aang acted just recently, Katara didn't know if she would ever have her best friend back – and with that, she feared she may not be able to figure out if they could ever be more than just friends – something she was now looking forward to concluding.
