I Do Not Own Miraculous or Avatar.
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Lake Laogai.
There is no war in Ba Sing Se. There is not War in Ba Sing Se.
The words echoed in Jet's mind, but he knew it wasn't true. Thanks to Katara and the others, he was starting to recall what had happened to him the day he was arrested. He remembered the lake. He remembered his enemies. Then, as Hawkmoth had instructed him, he decided that they needed to go to Lake Laogai to investigate. Jet shook his head, clearing the muddled thoughts from his head. He was sick of it hurting. Between Hawkmoth, the brainwashing, and the confusion of coming out of brainwashing, he was having trouble focusing. The Team and his freedom fighters followed Jet down into the tunnels under Lake Laogai. Bit by bit pieces seemed to fall into place and his fractured memory of the stay at Lake Laogai fell into place making his mind a little clearer.
The Team behind him glanced around the area. He recognized many of the corders and cells they had, including a really big one that he remembered was around a few corners that could easily hold Appa.
"I think there might be a cell big enough to hold Appa up ahead.' He informed the group. They followed after him. He found the one he was looking for and opened it to find an empty room with shadows lurking in the corners in the most unsettling manner.
"Hey, Rin." Aang said softly, "Now could be a great time to transform into Ladybug."
"Uh, yeah, but I don't really know these guys. They might freak out and attack me for being Fire Nation like I know Sokka's girlfriend was thinking about doing. People in this place see red and automatically assume that-"
"Just do it!" Sokka growled. Rin sighed.
"Tikki! Spots on!" There was a flash of pink lights and Rin was now fully dressed in a red Fire Nation style gi with black spots, black trousers, and red combat boots, and a red mask with spots. He hair was in pigtails, tied up by red ribbon. A black satchel and Ladybug patterned yo-yo hung on her belt. Wow. Hawkmoth had not been kidding about this Ladybug girl being special. That was serious spirit magic or something. In all honesty, she did look pretty Fire Nation, but if the Avatar trusted her then she probably wasn't. They filed into the room, ready to investigate and maybe find any clues as to where Appa had ended up. That's when the door slammed shut behind them and locked. Immediately, the room lit up with the green, blazing lanterns that lined the cavern walls. Servel Dai Li dropped down from where they were hiding and surrounded them. Then, the enemy himself, Long Feng, came out of the shadows.
"You have made yourselves enemies of the state." Long Feng growled, pointing at the teens, "Take them into custody." Yeah, no. That wasn't going to happen. The mission wasn't over yet. Long Feng was the enemy. Long Feng was the one to brainwash him. Long Feng was going to pay. Jet unhooked his sword hooks, growling and charging. Team Avatar and the Freedom Fighters followed his lead. The Dai Li and teens clashed, each showing off amounts of skill unlike anything the world would ever see. Longshot tried getting to a good vantage point to shoot at the leader of the Dai Li while Smellerbee woven through the agents, taking them out with ease. Ladybug was a force to be reckoned with, spinning her Yo-yo so fast that she was untouchable. Aang was bended earth and air at the agents, careful not to hurt them too bad, but still effectively knocking them out. Katara was a storm with her water, sending ice shards at any boulder that came her way. Toph was as stubborn as ever, reminding the Dai Li who was really the best earthbender in the world. Sokka was unstoppable, his club in one hand and boomerang in the other. Long Feng was a fool for thinking defeating some of the most powerful benders and warriors in the world would be easy. It was almost as if luck was their friend, for the battle was in their favor despite being in Long Feng's territory.
Once more the urge to use his hidden power reached him, but he silenced the thought immediately. He had to wait. Now was not the time. He needed to wait until their luck ran out. Besides, his powers would be useless in this situation anyways. Toph almost got caught off guard by several rocks that flew at her where she couldn't sense them. Jet intercepted then, forgetting about his fight against Long Feng and reusing the blind bender. Long Feng, obviously convinced he didn't want to be near that place should his agents fail, took Jet's distraction as an opportunity to run. Aang noticed.
"Long Feng is escaping!" Aang warned Jet. Jet nodded, following the Avatar and letting the other's to their own fights. They came to another open room covered in pipes. Immediately the way out was sealed by Long Feng's earthbending. He dropped down to the center of the room, standing before them.
"Alright Avatar." Long Feng said, trying to keep a steady tone, "You've caused me enough problems. This is your last chance. If you want Cat Noir and your bison back.
"So you do have them!" Aang growled.
"Agree to leave the city and Ladybug now, and I'll waive all charges against you and allow you to leave with your lost pet. Ladybug will get to reunite with her partner, you will have Appa, and I will have my city."
"You're in no position to bargain." Jet growled, preparing to use the gifts Hawkmoth gave him.
"Am I not?" Long Feng asked.
"You're definitely not!" Aang yelled, stepping forwards with his staff ready. Long Feng smiled. A chill crept up Jet's spine. Something was about to go very wrong.
"Jet, the Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai." Long Feng said. Instantly, Jet's mind was blank. Hawkmoth, the freedom fighters, and Team Avatar were all forgotten. All that suddenly mattered was what Long Feng had to say.
"I am honored to accept his invitation." Jet monotoned. He turned towards Aang, slashing at him with his blades. Aang yelped and airbended away, staring in fear at Jet.
"It's me Jet! You don't have to do this!" Aang yelled. Yes Jet did. This is what Long Feng wanted.
"I'm afraid he no longer has a choice." Long Feng said proudly. Yes. He was proud! Long Feng was proud of him!
"Jet!" A voice suddenly boomed in his head. Suddenly his mind seemed split in two. One fighting to serve Hawkmoth, the other fought to serve Long Feng.
"Jet, you are my champion. You have a mission. If you do not win this battle Appa and Cat Noir will never be freed. Your friends will perish and Ladybug will fall under Long Feng's command. You are Freedom Fighter."
Freedom fighter.
Jet strength, gasping as if he had no air to breath as memories, the ones Long Feng had taken and the ones from long ago flashed before his eyes. He roared in rage and turned quickly towards Long Feng, hurling the hook sword at his head. Long Feng dodged easily and bended a stonewall that knocked Jet off his feet and sent absolute pain through his entire body.
"Jet!" He heard Aang cry. Jet wasn't listening to him.
"Hawkmoth." He said softly, "It's time." Instantly he felt the power inside him awaken. His clothes turned white and his brown eyes violet. The hook sword he threw at Long Feng flew back to his hands and he stood.
"What the-" Long Feng said backing up as Jet stood up, fully transformed into Hawkmoth's Champion.
"I am Freedom Fighter! And you!" He pointed his sword at Long Feng, "Will witness the power of Hawkmoth's Miraculous."
"Hawkmoth?" Long Feng stammered, "He Akumatized you to help me?"
"No." Jet said, "He Transformed me to redeem myself." Jet declared, and with a mighty roar charged the suprised Long Feng. Instantly Long Feng tried to bend at him, do anything to stop the enraged teen, but Long Feng didn't know how Hawkmoth's powers worked. He stood no chance.
"What treason is this?" Long Feng growled. Jet smiled darkly, coming close to the mad earthbender.
"This is for arresting and hunting Chaton the Cat Noir, the Son of Hawkmoth." He hissed lowly so only Long Feng could hear. The man paled, as if putting all the pieces together. He threw the blades in his hands at Long Feng, the earthbender dodged. At Jet's command the came back like boomerang.
"That traitor and you will pay for this." Long Feng threatened.
"I really doubt that." Jet replied. Long Fenb bended several boulders at him. Jet merely swung at the air with his hooks and all the boulders flying at him crumbled to dust. He was faster, stronger, and more observant than ever before, all because of Hawkmoth's butterfly. It was exhilarating. He didn't realise it, but Team Avatar and the Freedom Fighter had arrived and were watching the duel in awe. Ladybug eyed the situation with absolute suspicion. She knew where Jet's new found powers had come from, but she made no motion to stop the boy. Finally, Long Feng, who was only human without the enhanced endurance Jet had, faultured. Jet smiled, seizing the moment to attack knee the man and effectively knock him out.
"Hawkmoth sends his regards. Next time, be careful who you trust, enemies are always closer than friends." Jet threatened lowly. The dust settled and all was quiet. The teens watched him with wide eyes, wondering what he would do next.
"Freedom Fighter, before you brought out the true power I granted you, you were gravely wounded." Hawkmoth said softly in his ear, "If I remove your powers, those injuries will surely return. If I don't I will grow week and risk damaging the Miraculous."
"That's fine, take them. I can get through any pain." Jet huffed.
"Jet. The blow Long Feng hit you with was fatal. Even now may magic is struggling to keep you alive." Jet froze. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Ladybug cautiously approach him.
"Ladybug, I'm saying goodbye. Wait a moment."
"What?" She said in shock, "Goodbye?" He ignored her.
"A deal is a deal. I know this was only a distraction. Did you recover them?"
"Yes."
"Then the mission is complete. Thanks. You've helped me."
"But Jet, I don't think I can stress them enough. You will die if I let you out of my power. Nothing, not even the Miraculous Cure can stop that. I don't want to lose someone else for my foolishness. This is my fault and I will gladly hold you in this state if it means saving you, even if it hurts me."
"Hawkmoth, I know exactly what is going to happen." Jet argued, his mind made up, "I'll get to see them again. I'll finally be free and have peace. Hawkmoth, I'm okay with this."
"Is this really what you want?"
"Don't destroy yourself trying to save me." Hawkmoth was silent for a moment.
"Goodbye, Jet the Freedom Fighter."
"You too, Hawkmoth Wielder of Generosity and Change." A wave of light washed over Jet. His hook swords clattered to the ground and he fell. He didn't hear the panicked cries of his friends who frantically yelled his name. All Jet knew was that he was content.