Chapter 15
Meeting Jet

If only I had gotten that week of boring travel I had wanted. In actuality it was only five days, a 'work week' that I had gotten off. I had spent much of that time relaxing and reading. I kept the contents of the scroll hidden to my friends though they knew it was fire nation in origin and I liked studying it I pretended to be just as stumped with the language as they were. It appeared that while all three knew how to speak and read the common language as well as their own I seemed to be the only one proficient in reading fire nation fluently. I wondered why Agni had given me more than I had asked but I decided to not look a gift horse in the mouth.

We had stopped for lunch on the fifth day in a beautiful clearing. All around us the trees were red and gold. We were deep in the throes of autumn, no signs of green remained on the leaves. We had been running from winter but it was beginning to overtake us. There was no doubt in my mind that winter would be in full swing

We had just finished packing up and were about to climb onto Appa when Sokka interrupted.

"Nope. We're not riding Appa." I turned to look at him incredulously.

"Why not?" Aang asked. I knew the reason but I was going to do my darnedest so that they'd listen to me.

"Think about it. How do you think the fire nation and Zuko always find us so easily. We're riding a giant fluffy monster with an arrow on his head!" He threw his hands into the air intro emphasize his point. Appa rumbled unhappily at Sokka causing Aang to pat him and comfort the two ton bison with the words.

"Don't worry buddy. Sokka's just jealous because he doesn't have an arrow."

"Sokka." I stated, catching the water tribe boy's attention, "Appa gets us where we need to go faster. Without him we would still be on Kyoshi island. He's the reason we're ahead of the fire nation in the first place." Sokka paused to think about that for a moment before he shook his head.

"I understand what you're saying but I don't agree. Just let us try today and if it doesn't go well we never have to do it again." I sighed but nodded. It was beginning to look like the only way they would follow my suggestions was if they knew of my 'ability'. Was I willing to do that? To tell them about what I knew?

Three hours later I was getting frustrated enough to pull my hair out. Katara and Aang were acting like little kids on a long road trip and it was grating on my nerves. Sokka was equally frustrated, probably more so since Katara and Aang kept making jibes about his instincts.

"Maybe Sokka's instincts could carry it for you." Katara suggested. I grimaced as Aang piped up.

"Hey Sokka's instincts would you-"

"I get it!" Sokka barked, causing me to jump in surprise. Sighing, Sokka turned.

"Listen, we're all tired and fed up from today. Next clearing we'll stop for the night. Okay?" We all nodded. I couldn't blame them, it was tiring to be walking for so long when we were used to Appa.
Sokka pushed through a wall of greenery and stopped. Katara and Aang followed after him.

"Sokka what's wrong-" I froze, staring at the group of fire nation soldiers who had all sat down to dinner in the same clearing Sokka had decided we were going to eat in. Horror washed over me as I suddenly realized I had forgotten this episode. The strange thing was that Momo had never gotten caught by the fire nation traps... why hadn't that happened?

Action exploded out of the corner of my eye and suddenly everyone was fighting. I was quickly lost in the battle. Parry, slash, jab, parry, slash, jab. Then my opponent was gone, laying on the ground by my feet. I stared at him blankly. I hadn't injured him at all, there was no reason why a fire nation soldier would just be lying there with glassy eyes. I quickly looked away. I didn't want to know what had happened. Pushing my mind off the subject I turned to help someone or find another opponent in time to see a boy I recognized as Jet slice into a man's arm with his hooked blades. My stomach churned and I looked away again. I didn't want to hear the screams of pain, I didn't want to know that these soldiers were dying because of a mistake.

The battle was over as quickly as it began. To my surprise only four or five men actually had died. The rest had taken off into the woods.

"You're a good fighter." I jumped and looked down to see a familiar boy with a huge helmet half falling off. I instantly recognized him as the Duke

"Um thanks... I think." I said. I turned slightly to see Jet conversing with Katara, Sokka and Aang. Walking over I narrowed my eyes at the boys and crossing my arms over my chest. If I had a list of the characters I disliked most Jet would be up near the top, right behind Yue's fiance and Jong-Jong. Of course that was my own personal opinion, no one else.

"I'm Jet," the rouge introduced himself with a flair, "and these are my freedom fighters, Sneers, Longshot, Smellerbee, the Duke and Pipsqueak." As each Freedom Fighter heard their name they would wave or turn to look before going back to work.

"And you guys are?" Jet asked Katara with a sly look. I had no doubt that Jet is well aware of his good looks.

"I'm Katara, my brother Sokka. That's Aang he's the Avatar. And that's Pala or Maddi." Katara introduced. I sigh and walk past them, deciding on a fire nation tent I want to check out. I wasn't the only one inside Smellerbee was packing up the weapons mostly spears and pikes with the occasional sword. It was out of the corner of my eye that I saw the weapon.

It was a bow made from plain wood, undecorated. Beside it a small quiver of arrows. Curiously I picked it up. It felt nice but foreign. I had never had held a weapon even remotely similar to this. Smellerbee looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"You're holding it wrong." I looked down at the weapon and blushingly flipped it over. Smellerbee smiled lightly which looked strange to me.

"I need a long range weapon... could I possibly convince you to teach me?" I asked her. Smellerbee paused and looked at me, a considering expression on her face. Finally she shrugged.

"If you guys are staying I don't see why not." I beamed, my fans were useful but a long range weapon was could make all the difference in a real battle.


I had to admit, albeit grudgingly that Jet's tree house was beautiful, especially in fall colours. We had all gone our separate ways after Jet had shown around. I didn't know where Katara and Sokka were but I had seen Aang every so often, running around like the entire place was a giant toy. Grunting I pulled the string taught before letting lose the arrow. It flew a few feet before bouncing off the tree I had been aiming for.

"Need a hand?" I turned. Smellerbee was standing there, arms crossed with a look of amusement. I gave a guilty smile and nodded, moving to the side. Smellerbee took the bow and notched an arrow. In a second the thin stick was deeply imbedded in the tree. My mouth dropped in shock if this was how good Smellerbee was how good was Longshot?

"Longshot taught me," she explained, "I've never seen anyone who is as good as he is."

"Good enough to be a Yu Yan Archer?" Smellerbee stopped and looked at me with unbridled anger.

"Don't you dare mention them again." I jumped. The tone in Smellerbee's voice was shocking there was no doubt in my mind that I had insulted her somehow.

"Are…? Oh. I wasn't meaning to compare him to anyone fire nation," I back peddled, "I was just saying he has to be as good even better then the legendary archers if he taught you." She nodded but there was still suspicion in her eyes.

Four hours of tiger opus teaching later I had finally mastered holding and stringing the bow as well as notching the arrows. Smellerbee said I already had good aim so I just had to work on that. After Smellerbee I worked on the

"Pala? What are you doing?" I turned to see Aang watching me with interest.

"Practising a new skill." I replied with a grunt as I let the arrow loose.

"I'll never be as good as Longshot but I still can use the skill to help us out. You never know when something like archery will come in handy." I replied to the young bender.

"Sounds cool but Katara wanted you to come back. She was worried because it was getting late." I looked up at the sky, it was turning red.

"Besides, Jet is giving a feast." Aang added coyly. I sighed and nodded, following Aang to dinner.

I remained quiet during dinner and bit my tongue despite the fact I wanted scream at Jet for what he was saying. As soon as it was over I stormed into our quarters. I didn't want anything to do with this.


I have been training among the other fire nation recruits for over a week now and the days are blurring into one. I miss my mother and I miss Sui. I wonder how they are doing. Somehow this diary has remained hidden, in some cases I swear the spirits are on my side and it is they who allow me to keep this small memory of home with me. I pray to Agni every night begging her to keep my family safe and that I may return home to plow the solid earth. Here they tell us stories during our drills of the horrific deeds earthbenders have committed again fire nation soldiers like us. They tell us that earthbending is not true bending for the earth itself is unmoving, yet earthbending in and out of itself moves the rock. Reality seems to vanish in front of my eyes until I can't tell if I'm awake or dreaming. I know that the others are feeling it as well. I am afraid that I will die. I hear whispers of how soldiers who can't bend are always the first to die. They never make it. I fear the rumours are true. What is the point in choosing non-benders for battle if all we do is die? It is the will of the fire lord? Is it the will of Agni that we kill all who are not of us? Sometimes I wonder if my life before now was a dream and this... this waking horror is my reality and will be until the day I enter the spirit world.


I woke up with a panicked scream, images of dead men floating in the dark behind my eyelids. I could not sleep. Sleep would mean remembering and I don't want to remember. I look around. No one else has woken up. They all sleep peacefully, their dreams undisturbed. I grabbed my bow and arrows and crept outside. The air was chilled and frost sprinkled the ground, covering the wooden boards with slippery crystal. I was careful where I walked, my eyes fixed firmly on my feet. I find the tree that I had been practising on yesterday and begin to practice again. Each time I let go of the string a familiar twang rang in my ears. Then there was the thud of the arrow impacting in wood.

I don't stop shooting until the quiver is empty of arrows, than I pull them from the tree and begin again. I only stopped once my arm ached and burned from the effort and my cheeks were cold and numb. Than I packed up and crawled back into bed and worked on my reading. I still don't know the name of the soldier who wrote this note. He never mentioned it. I supposed it makes sense, this was a personal diary only meant for his eyes and obviously he knows who he is.

"Maddi, get up." I turned to see Katara standing over my bed. I sighed and flipped over, rubbing my eyes tiredly.

"What's up?"

"What... what do you do when you like someone?" I blinked and sat up. Katara was asking advice of what to do when you... she wasn't serious was she?

"Katara..." I stumbled before pinching the bridge of my nose, "are you talking about Jet." Katara looked away, blushing deeply.

"Oh boy." I groaned. "Katara... I wouldn't. I don't trust Jet... He's..." I trailed off when I saw how upset she looked.

"Katara..." I looked away. I couldn't say it. I couldn't tell her and I couldn't expose Jet either. I couldn't do that but her broken heart at the end of this episode... I was torn. What choice should I make. With a deep breath I made a compromise.

"If you really care for someone you need to tell him, you can't just expect him to know... Talk to him... but personally I believe that a relationship won't work unless you are more then just romantically inclined. You need to be able to trust each other, partners or friends who you have a romantic inclination for are the best in my opinion. My own boyfriend and I were close friends as well as romantically involved and it worked out well... but Katara... I personally don't think Jet is the right person. I can't make that choice for you but... just don't give him your heart right away. Get to know him first." Katara frowned then smiled brightly and left. I collapsed onto the bed. I hoped that she would be wiser this time.

That night I lay on my back, pretending to be asleep when I heard the familiar sound of someone moving in their sleep. Turning my head I opened one eye a crack. Sokka was sitting up, staring at his boomerang which lay in his lap. After a second I sat up.

"Is there something wrong?"

"There's something going on here. I know it." He replied before looking up at me, "What do you think?"

"I agree with you, Jet reeks of something... but..."

"But Katara likes him." I blinked and looked at Sokka in surprise.

"I'm not stupid, I know my sister and for some reason she likes Jet. Is that why you're hiding out here? Because you don't want to upset her? Because that's a stupid excuse." I blinked at Sokka, dumbfounded. I wasn't used to him being this frank.

"You've been pulling away since the crescent island, especially after you got that scroll. You're using it to hide from us. You're not fooling me. So what's wrong?" I shook my head. How could Sokka know the sort of difficulty I was going through. I was still trying to decide whether I should outright tell them what I knew and risk the future of the world or to keep it quite, act as I saw fit and then tell them after and putting an end to our friendship. I didn't want either. They were all I had in this world and I knew I was being selfish but I didn't want to risk that. On the other hand telling them while it would change the world like I wanted to I feared it would change the world in a way that couldn't be salvageable. My own mistakes, the mistakes of one person could be fixed but if my companions acted on my knowledge and did something that could harm the outcome... I wouldn't know what to do. This was to much pressure for one person.

"I... I can't tell you Sokka." There was silence for a while. Fearing the worst I turned, only to notice Sokka had clambered out of bed and was staring at the door fiercely. I turned my head slightly. There were noises coming from outside. I scrambled out of bed quickly and fell into step behind Sokka. Peering outside we saw Jet and some of the other freedom fighters loading up the blasting jelly which eerily looked like plastic explosive into a large cart. Sharing a look Sokka and I quickly slip out of the hut and follow.

Just like in the episode we were led to the edge of a cliff after the wagon broke away from Jet, Longshot, Smellerbee and Pipsqueak. The sun was just beginning to rise while Jet set off Longshot.

"Remember, don't shoot until you hear the signal." Longshot nodded and walked off. All was silent for a moment. I slowly eased myself down into a more comfortable position, my back was aching and once again my ears stung from the cold.

I cried out as suddenly I was pulled up out of the bushes. Sokka right beside me. Pipsqueak held us both, one in each hand like kittens.

"Sokka I'm glad you decided to join us, and you brought your hidden little friend. I haven't seen a lot of her." I glared at Jet.

"Trust me, I've already seen way to much of you."

"I know what you're doing Jet." Sokka snapped, "I know your plans. I know how you lied to Katara and Aang about the forest fire." Jet frowned, no it was more of a smirk.


"I was hoping you would have an open mind Sokka. But I can't let you warn Katara and Aang. Take them for a walk... a long walk."

I stayed quiet as Pipsqueak and Smellerbee shoved Sokka and I along the trail. I was deep in thought. What was the reason I had been hiding myself? Why had I been avoiding my companions? Had I been avoiding them? I wasn't sure. I jumped when Sokka suddenly dodged out to the left. I quickly followed, slipped just out of the reach of Smellerbee's hand. I noticed a pile of leaves with a handful of red berries. I knew what was under those.

"Sokka between the red!" I barked praying that he would get the message. The water tribe boy nodded but didn't look back and dodged between them. I followed after him as well. Smellerbee and Pipsqueak didn't. I whooped as I heard the sound of metal snapping closed like a bear trap. Sokka turned with surprise.

"How did you-?"

"No time." I barked, running right past him, "We need to get to the village. Now!"

Sokka ran beside me, keeping pace as I prayed that we would be on time, just like in the series.

I was breathing hard by the time Sokka and I reached the bottom of the forest. I slowed down, gasping slightly. Sokka stopped, noticing that I wasn't keeping pace with him anymore.

"Pala we can't stop yet." He cried. I nodded and we took off running again. My legs burned but I wasn't going to stop until we had those villagers safe. Beaming I turned it into a race, mentally convincing myself of a crowd going wild. Energy exploded from within m as my competitive nature which hadn't had a reason to surface before sprang into being.

I laughed as I outdistanced Sokka then cried in shock as he suddenly was sprinting past me. We raced that way straight into the village and skidded to a stop in the centre of town.

"Who are you?" I turned to see a fire nation soldier pointing a spear at my head. My blood froze as I tried to think of what to say. Something told me that 'Hi we're not against the fire nation and we're here to save you' wasn't going to cut it.

"Listen to me. We're here to warn you. Jet and his thugs are going to flood the town." I smiled and took a step back, allowing Sokka his moment to shine. He deserved it.

"That child who lives in the trees?" one soldier asked, scoffing, "Besides who's to say that you're not with him."

"Jet is dangerous. And I do not support him." Sokka stated, "We came here to warn you that he's filling the dam as we speak and in a few moments he'll blow it up."

"And-"

"Trust what he says." A familiar looking elderly man in fire nation robes said. It took me a moment before I recognized him as the man Sokka saved from Jet. The soldier who had been giving us the trouble opened his mouth to speak before closing it. Finally he spoke.

"Fine."the soldier started bellowing orders at everyone. The townspeople started gathering together. I watched in fascination as just like that the entire town was ready to leave. I fell into step beside Sokka and the man both taking up the rear of the procession.

"That was amazing." I commented, "How did you get the soldier to listen to you?" The elderly man snorted.

"Simple, really. I'm his banker."


I am once again sorry that this chapter came in so late. To make up for it though the next chapter is going to be really amazing. It should show up next Sunday. After that updates should be regular again.
Hope you like the next chapter.
Princess Kassie Out