"Aren't you going to go after him?!" You cry out to Smellerbee and Longshot. You look between the two of them, and when you realize they don't plan on doing anything, you push past them.

"Unbelievable." You mutter, grabbing your daggers from your boots before breaking into a sprint. With both weapons at your side, you chase after the wagon while looking for a path to higher ground. You see a stack of wooden crates leaning by a nearby storefront. Taking your chances, you swiftly scale them and continue the chase along the rickety rooftops.

Following from up here is tricky. You have to watch the wagon as it rolls down the street, and carefully watch your footing as the same time. This is especially difficult when moving at such a high speed. It also doesn't help that the moon is the only thing lighting your way. Stealth is sacrificed for speed, and although you are keeping up with the cart, one of the Dai Li notices your presence. His head snaps in your direction and you lock eyes.

Oh no.

The Dai Li are master earthbenders. They are feared by many, for good reason. They're motives are unclear and their work is mysterious. Alone, you're no match for the secret service of Ba Sing Se.

You suddenly see a dark mass flying straight for you. You have to unceremoniously throw your body to the side to avoid being struck in the chest by a flying rock. You now realize the projectile was a Dai Li earthbending glove! As the name suggests, these gloves are made of earth, which is used to fight and detain, such as when they cuffed Jet. The benders can morph the earth into any shape they desire, such as a solid cannonball-like mass, just like the second one they just hurled at you. You dodge fast but feel the air around the path of the projectile brush past you. After that near-miss, you reconsider your plan of attack.

You need to get out of their line of sight; instead of continuing to follow, you fall back and take cover behind a raised portion of roof. As you catch your breath, you wrack your brain for ideas. If you don't think fast, Jet might never be seen again! Who knows what happens after a person is detained by the Dai Li, no one has ever escaped to tell the tale.

Just as you're about to track down the wagon, a hand comes to rest on your shoulder. You jump back in surprise. You didn't think your heart could race any faster than it already was. You instinctively assume a battle stance, pointing your daggers in the direction of the touch, only to lower them once you realize who it is.

Longshot and Smellerbee are standing on the roof with you. What happens next comes as an even bigger surprise.

Longshot opens his mouth, and you hear his voice for the very first time. "It's no use. Stop chasing them, you'll get caught too."

Overcoming the shock of Longshot speaking, you shake your head dismissively. "How can you both just give up that easily?!" You're shouting, not realizing the hysterical state you're in. "Jet is more than just your former group leader! He's your friend, isn't he?! Why aren't you trying to save him!"

Smellerbee says your name softly, trying to calm you down, but you turn away bitterly.

"Whatever. I don't need your help!" You set off to tail the Dai Li again, but you're restrained. One of your arms is held back by Smellerbee, and the other is gripped by Longshot.

"Jeez, you sound just like Jet. No wonder you two got along so well." Bee says while you writhe to break out of their grasp.

At her words, you gradually stop struggling and finally come to a rest. Cautiously, the two release your arms, unsure if you're going to make a run for it. You consider bolting, but instead turn around to look them both in the eyes.

"Why aren't you trying to save your friend?" You ask, genuinely curious as to why they abandoned him, when just moments before, they were trying their best to help him.

Smellerbee starts, "You're a local, shouldn't you know how dangerous the Dai Li are?! We've heard about them, and it's just not smart to chase them down like this."

"So what ARE you going to do?" You demand. They look at each other, and then back to you.

"I… We don't know yet. But we'll think of something, we always do." She shoots you a weary smirk. "Sorry for bringing you into this. Why don't you… go home and rest? We'll handle Jet, don't worry."

You would love nothing more than to pass out on your futon at home, but you feel an agonizing guilt… for just abandoning Jet. You decide it might be best to get some rest after all and think things over in the morning, with a clear head. You make one final remark to the 'Freedom Fighters' before departing.

"When you guys hatch a rescue plan, you know where to find me."

They give you a reassuring nod before leaving. You start to head home.

Exhausted from your high-speed pursuit, and mentally exhausted from the stress, you make your way back to your attic apartment. The rooftops are your chosen pathway, partially because you're already up here and don't feel like exerting the energy to climb down yet. Other than lack of energy, the cool night air feels better from up here. It cools you down, and you embrace the mild calming effect it has on you. However, after the events of tonight, it'll take more than a light breeze to clear your racing mind. As you amble home, enjoying your temporary stress reliever, you see a shadow of movement on a distant rooftop.

What now? Who could that be? Did Jet escape? You realize it can't be him. Not only is escaping the Dai Li a near impossible feat, but this person moves nothing like Jet. You keep an eye on him as you walk home, staying a safe distance away to avoid being seen. However, this person's particular movement is… familiar.

You reach the roof of the building adjacent to the teashop. With a sigh, you cross over to your own roof, approach the edge with the landing below, and climb down sluggishly. From the top of the staircase to your apartment, you squint in the darkness at the body moving in the distance. The figure is closer than before, no longer a simple silhouette. You can just barely make out the shape of a mask on the pursuer's face, it's empty eyes staring straight back at you.

The Blue Spirit. You linger for just a moment longer, watching the stranger disappear in the night scene, before ducking into your apartment. You almost crash onto your futon, like you normally would, but you spot the small fluffy shape of a cat laying on your pillow. You smile slightly, before moving the cat to the side and laying next to it. Why not let the little furball crash here? You were too tired to care anyways, drained from today's events. So much has happened in one day. So much for visiting Gopan this afternoon.

Before your mind can worry anymore, you black out.